THE PRESIDENCYChief Executive of the United States

A COMPLICATED POSITION

People have great expectations for presidents to be powerful like Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK

But, they’re skeptical of concentrated power…

HEADS OF STATE & GOVERNMENT

Head of State: Ceremonial Duties

Head of Government: Policymaking Authority

United States: President serves both purposes

Great Britain: Queen vs. Prime Minister

REQUIREMENTS OF PRESIDENTS

Formal Requirements 35 years old

Resident of US for past 14 years

Natural born citizen

Informal “Requirements” White (Except Obama)

Male

Protestant (except Kennedy)

All manner of professions, but mostly political ones Former state governors

Congressmen

ELECTIONS & TERMS

Elected to office Exploratory Committee Announce Candidacy Win Primary Win General Election

Popular Vote

Electoral College Almost all states use winner-take-all system

If no candidate wins a majority (270 votes) the House of Representatives would decide the election

12th Amendment – President & VP elected as a ‘ticket’

Serve 4-year term

22nd amendment limited number of terms to two (1951)

Most presidents have been elected into office Can also acquire office as VP if Pres. dies or is removed

SUCCESSION

25th Amendment (1967) defined presidential succession & disability

VP serves as acting president if president is disabled, as determined by the VP & majority of Cabinet or 2/3 vote fo Congress

New VP must be confirmed by majority vote of both houses

VP takes office if President dies, resigns, or is convicted in an impeachment

IMPEACHMENT

Indictment - Investigated by the House of Representatives (majority)

Conviction - Tried by the Senate (2/3 vote)

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides

Only 2 in history & neither convicted Andrew Johnson

Bill Clinton

(Nixon just resigned)

CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS

National Security Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces

Standing military + nuclear arsenal

Can deploy troops without congressional consent

Makes treaties with other nations to be ratified by the Senate

Sign executive agreements in routine matters with other countries

Negotiate peace between other countries

Leads US & Allies in defense & economic issues

Shared War Powers w/congress

Legislative Powers Veto power

State of the Union Address

Administrative Nominations

Judicial Nominations

Grant Pardons

INFORMAL POWERS

Inherent Powers – restrict power of Congress & Courts

Executive Order – presidential order that has force of law & does not require congressional approval

Executive Agreement – presidential agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval

Similar to treaties

Technically end when president leaves office…

EXPANSION OF POWER

Congressional Delegation of Power Delegated Powers: Congress gives executive branch more

power to address new problems Examples: FDR & New Deal; PATRIOT Act; NSA’s wiretapping program

Congress can enact legislation to reassert its authority

Perspectives 1950s & ‘6os favored powerful president

1970s – power checked & distrusted by the public Why???

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

President

Vice President Few constitutional duties

Recent VPs have been given important jobs by presidents

Cabinet Presidential advisors

Not explicitly listed in Constitution

Cabinet Secretaries represent federal departments

Secretaries confirmed by the Senate

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Several policymaking & advisory bodies

3 principle groups NSC – National Security council

Coordinate foreign policy & military advisors

President, VP, Secreatries fo State & Defense, National Security Advisor

CEA – Council of Economic Advisers 3-member body to advise on economic policy

OMB – Office of management & Budget B- Prepares annual budget to send to Congress

M – oversight of bureaucracy

OTHER INFLUENCES

White House Office White House Staff are the chief aides & staff of president

Chosen on basis of loyalty to the president

Need not be confirmed

Example: National Security Advisor

First Lady No official government position

Many get involved politically

Recently focus on single issue

Example: Michelle Obama’s fight for nutritious school lunches

INTERACTION W/CONGRESS

Party Leadership Psychological bond between legislators & president with regard to party

Controversial issues weaken support

Use favors as leverage

Coattail effect – minor influence

Congressional bills must be approved by the President before becoming law

Veto Power Veto: send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it

Can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses

Pocket Veto: let a bill die by not signing it in 10 days when Congress is adjourned

Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill (usually $$) Governors may have this

President does NOT

Signing Statements – written message issued by president upon signing a bill that states objectives to some of the provisions in the bill

Not provided for in the Constitution

GWB increased use

Obama also increasing use

SIGNING STATEMENT EXAMPLES

President Franklin Roosevelt indicated in a signing statement in 1943, during World War II, that he felt Section 304 of the Urgent Deficiency Appropriations Act of 1943 was unconstitutional, but that he had no choice but to sign the bill "to avoid delaying our conduct of the war.“

George W Bush. – ‘Iran Freedom Support Act’ 2006 – “I applaud Congress for demonstrating its bipartisan commitment to confrontin the Iranian regime’s repressive and destabilizing activities…’

CONGRESS CONTINUED

Mandates Perception that voters strongly support president’s leadership &

policies

Infrequent, but presidents may claim a mandate anyway

Legislative Skills Bargaining, making appeals, consulting with Congress, setting

priorities in State of the Union address

Use the ‘honeymoon period’ wisely

Key agenda builder

Work with Congress for support & funding of foreign policies

PUBLIC PRESIDENCY

Public support is perhaps greatest source of influence a president has

Stage appearances to gain attention

Ceremonial functions = favorable press coverage

Presidential Approval Product of many factors: war, economy, ‘honeymoon period’

Changes highlight good/bad decisions

Media Contact Press Secretary is main contact person of White House

Often more interested in the person, not the policies

Coverage has become more negative

Televised messages have low success in gaining support

APPROVAL RATINGS

SUMMARY

Americans expect a lot from presidents

Presidents work as part of an organization of the executive branch and federal government

Presidential leadership of Congress is central but difficult

Presidential roles and responsibilities are tied to the Madisonian system of checks & balances