Chapter 9Government

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.

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)?

Limits on Presidential Power

• The federal bureaucracy can limit presidential power by obstructing programs or failing to carry them out properly.

• Public opinion can limit the president’s actions.Ex: LBJ’s policies in Vietnam

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

• 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

• Presidents must know and understand the people of the United States.

• They must be able to communicate effectively and to explain their policies clearly in order to inspire public support.

Leadership Qualities and Skills• Presidents must know

when the time is right to introduce new policies or make key decisions.

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.