ASSIGNMENT-Awesome

Public Approval Ratings of Presidents by Year in Office

0

20

40

60

80

100

Truman Ike J FK LBJ Nixon Ford Carter Reagan Bush 41 Clinton Bush 43

Av

era

ge

Ap

pro

va

l

1st Year Last Year

AP US Govt. AP US Govt. February 27, 2013February 27, 2013

Growth of Presidential Growth of Presidential PowerPower

Objective: What are the constitutional powers of the President and how does he

utilize these powers

Think: Presidential Power

FORMAL POWERS V. INFORMAL POWERSDIFFERENCES

1. FORMAL POWERS written down… Commander in Chief (Const.)

2. INFORMAL POWERS not written down, but power is exercised… Electronic Throne

II. Non-Constitutional sources of Presidential Power:

1. Unity of office: one man vs. 535

2. Presidential character/personality Barber1. Strong vs. Weak-Examples

3. Growing complexity of society –

4. Congressional delegation of authority1. Congress, bows to Preseconomic/foreign crisis2. Mandate (Reagan-1980-489 electoral votes)

II. Continued…

5. Increase in media -Electronic Throne NEW media-

6. Superpower after WWII: 1. Cold War,

2. Terrorism-

3. Various foreign crisis

III. 3 rules of thumb to maximize presidential power/effectiveness

1. “Move it or lose it”-When to get things done (next slide)

2. “Avoid details”-Reagan/Bush

3. Trust your staff vs. Cabinet

Identify 1 trendPresidential Victories on Congressional Votes

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Ike J FK LBJ Nixon Ford Carter Reagan Bush Clinton Bush

Per

cen

tag

e

% Victories in First Year in Off ice % Victories in Last Year in Off ice

Roles of the PresidentAP US Govt.

Objective: Learn and understand the constitutional powers of the

president and the checks put in place to avoid absolute rule!

I. Non-constitutional roles (407-425)

1. Head of Political Party: 1. Selects party’s chairman of the national

committee (RNC, DNC)2. VP nominee3. Political patronage

2. Chief Economist1. Responsible for overall health of economy2. Proposes national budget-congress can debate &

propose changes

3. Leader of the Free World

II. Constitutional Roles: Article II(407-425) What are the powers of the president within each role

and what are the checks placed upon him:

1. Chief Legislator1. Powers2. Checks

2. Chief Executive 1. Powers2. Checks

3. Commander in Chief

1. Powers2. Checks

4. Chief Diplomat1. Powers2. Checks

5. Chief of State1. Powers

6. Chief Jurist1. Powers2. Checks

II. Constitutional Roles: Article II1.Chief Legislator

1. Powers• Propose legislation, vetoes, call

special sessions, SOTU, sign laws1. Checks• Override veto, Congress not pass

legislation2.Chief Executive

1. Powers• Enforce laws, treaties, court cases,

appoint officials, 1. Checks• Reject appts., Impeach – removal,

SC strike down executive orders3.Commander in Chief

1. Powers• Head of armed forces1. Checks• Declare war, power of purse, War

Powers Act 1973

4. Chief Diplomat1. Powers• Appoints/receives ambassadors,

negotiates treaties/exec. agreements

1. Checks• Senate reject ambassadors and

treaties• Congress appropriates funds

5. Chief of State1. Powers• Ceremonial head of state,

baseball first pitch, bestows medal of honor

6. Chief Jurist1. Powers• Appoints fed. Judges, issues

pardons1. Checks• Senate can reject appointments,

filibuster nominations