Chapter 9
Government
Presidential Leadership
• 9.1 Presidential Powers
• 9.2 Roles of the
President
• 9.3 Styles of Leadership
9.1 Presidential Powers
• Constitutional Powers
• Informal Sources of Power
• Limits on Presidential Power
Constitutional Powers
• The Founders wanted a
strong executive branch to
hold the legislative branch
in check.
• Article II grants the
president broad but
vaguely described powers.
Constitutional Powers
• He heads the executive
branch, is commander
in chief, conducts
foreign policy, and has
judicial powers.
Informal Sources of Power
• Presidents have added to
their powers by their
actions.
• During national crises,
presidents like Lincoln,
FDR, and George W. Bush
greatly expanded the
powers of the presidency.
Informal Sources of Power
• Modern presidents claim
their ideas and policies
represent a mandate
from the people.
• They use all forms of
mass media to build
support for their ideas.
Limits on Presidential Power
• Congress limits presidential
authority by overriding vetos.
• It can also impeach and
remove a president from office
for clear abuse of power.
• The federal courts also limit
the president’s power.
War Power’s Act
• Act 1973 president can only
commit troops for 60 days w/o
cong approval, impeach
Only two presidents have ever
been impeached.
• Andrew
Johnson
• Bill Clinton
What about Richard Nixon?
• He resigned
before the
House could
impeach him.
Limits on Presidential Power
• The federal courts also limit the
president’s power.
• The Supreme Court can overturn
presidential actions.
Ex: Truman in Youngstown Sheet and
Tube v. Sawyer (1952).
What decision did the Supreme Court
make against Truman in Youngstown
Sheet and Tube v. Sawyer (1952)?
9.2 Roles of the President
• Seven Key Roles of the
President
• Head of State
• Chief Executive
• Chief Legislator
• Economic Planner
• Party Leader
• Chief Diplomat
• Commander-in-Chief
Seven Key Roles of the President
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Head of State
Chief Executive
Chief Legislator
Economic Planner
Party Leader
Chief Diplomat
Commander-in-Chief
Head of State
• The president
represents the nation
at ceremonial
functions.
• He is a symbol of the
entire United States.
Chief Executive
• The President heads the 2 million
person executive branch.
• He influences how laws are
executed through executive
orders, presidential appointments,
removal of appointed officials, and
impoundment.
• He grants pardons, reprieves, or
amnesty.
Chief Legislator
• The President proposes
legislation to Congress,
usually in the State of the
Union Address.
• He must work harder for
congressional support when
the opposition party controls
Congress.
The
Johnson Treatment
Chief Legislator
• He may use political
favors to gain
congressional support.
• He has the threat of the
veto to influence
Congress.
Economic Planner
• The President has gained
great economic powers since
the New Deal.
• He promotes high
employment, production, and
purchasing power.
• He is required to prepare the
federal budget each year.
Party Leader
• The President helps raise
party funds and plan
campaign strategies.
• He uses political
patronage to appoint
party members to
government jobs.
Chief Diplomat
• The President directs
foreign policy and
oversees foreign affairs
information agencies.
• He has sole power to
make treaties, with
Senate approval.
Chief Diplomat
• He may make executive
agreements with foreign
nations.
• Executive agreements have
the force of treaties but do
not require congressional
approval.
Chief Diplomat
• He has the sole
power to
recognize foreign
governments.
Commander-in-Chief
• The President has the power
to wage (not declare) war
and makes key military
policy decisions.
• He supports war efforts on
the home front during wars.
• He may use the military to
end disorders or help in
natural disasters.
9.3 Styles of Leadership
• Increased Responsibilities
• Leadership Qualities and
Skills
• Presidential Isolation
• The Use of Executive
Privilege
Increased Responsibilities
• The Founders expected Congress
to lead the nation.
• Modern presidents have
provided strong leadership for
the nation.
• Presidents provide leadership in
introducing bold new ideas.
• They also respond to crises at
home and abroad.
Leadership Qualities and Skills
• Successful presidents must:
– be flexible and open to new
ideas;
– be able to compromise;
– have political courage
– be willing to go against public
opinion when they think it is
necessary for the nation’s
interests.
Presidential Isolation
• The special treatment risks
isolating presidents from
information and advice they
should have to carry out their
duties effectively.
• Presidents may discourage
staffers from disagreeing with
them or giving them
unpleasant advice.
Presidential Isolation
• Advisers sometimes flatter the
president with only good news
and favorable opinions to
maintain access to the
president.
• Top staffers or advisors control
access to the president.
• Dealing with White House staff
is time-consuming.
The Use of Executive Privilege
• Presidents invoke
executive privilege
to keep discussions
and advice
confidential.
The Use of Executive Privilege
• Modern presidents
have claimed that
executive privilege
also protects their
communications with
other members of the
executive branch.
The Use of Executive Privilege
• The Supreme
Court has ruled
that executive
privilege is
constitutionally
based.