Chapter 12
Jan 13, 2016
Chapter 12
2
The Constitutional Basis of Presidential Power
Delegates to Constitutional Convention wary of unchecked power
However, delegates knew the U.S. would need an effective executive office
Balance needed between tyranny and national leadership
3
Initial Conceptions of the Presidency
Debates about the nature of the office wide-ranging
Initial proposal: Single executive chosen by Congress Seven-year term; ineligible for re-
election
Final proposal incorporated concept of checks and balances with other branches of government
4
The Powers of the President
Article II sets forth requirements: U.S.-born citizen At least 35 years of age Resident of U.S. for minimum of 14 years
Article II also sets forth duties of the presidency Actual requirements rather brief and vague
5
The POWERS of the President
Serve as administrative head of the nation
Act as commander in chief of the military
Convene Congress Veto legislation Appoint various officials Make treaties Grant pardons
6
The Expansion of Presidential Power
Founders envisioned a limited role for the president
Over time, presidents have used formal powers to expand influence
Presidential definitions of “inherent” powers have expanded reach of office
****Congress also has granted powers to the president
7
Formal Powers Veto power
Use or threat of use has increased
Reports to Congress on the state of the union Used to set forth policy agenda
Commander in chief Sending troops into conflict without
declaration of war by Congress
8
Inherent Powers Based on inferences from Constitution
Congress and the courts may not agree
Once established, used by subsequent presidents Use of executive orders now routine Boundaries debated since 9/11 Bush expanded powers under theory of
unitary executive
9
Congressional Delegation of Power
In some cases, Congress makes decision to delegate powers to president
This delegation of powers gives the president more flexibility to address national problems
In other cases, Congress votes to reassert authority**********War Powers Resolution (1973)
10
The Executive Branch Establishment
Presidency requires large staff to carry out duties
White House staff
Vice President and staff– Inner Circle
Cabinet Secretaries11
The Executive Office of the President
EOP Key aides provide advice and control
access to president****Chief of Staff- President’s right hand man! National Security Advisor Other specialized staff, such as the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
No “right way” to organize
12
The Vice President Most important duty: to take over presidency if
needed (one heartbeat away!) 25th amendment allows choice of new VP
Traditionally not advisory Used for political chores Carter began trend of using as advisor
Also President of Senate
Chosen to BALANCE TICKET in some wayObama- less experience Biden- more experience
13
Next in Line
14
The Cabinet Heads of departments in executive
branch and other key officials First cabinet had four departments;
today are 15 Theoretically advisory body but does not
function as such Too large Secretaries have limited areas of expertise Not chosen for ability to work with
president*****White House staffs and advisory groups
provide most advice15
Presidential Leadership Presidential influence comes
from
Assigned responsibilities Leadership skills Effective use of resources Political environment
16
Presidential Character Difficult to tell how the public assesses
presidential candidates’ character
Character matters to voters, especially leadership, integrity, and competence Johnson and Viet Nam Nixon and Watergate Clinton and Monica Lewinsky
17
Figure 12.1
A Presidential Wish List
18
The President’s Power to Persuade
Presidents must have interpersonal and practical political skills Must depend on others to get things
done Use force of personality and prestige of
office to affect outcomes in Congress
Neustadt believes successful presidents are good at bargaining, dealing with adversaries, and choosing priorities
19
The President and the Public
Popular presidents more PERSUASIVE than unpopular ones
Presidents frequently try to mobilize public support for proposals “Going public” Must monitor public opinion polls “Honeymoon period”
20
Figure 12.2
Tough First Year
21
The President and the Public
President Obama has struggled with falling approval ratings Had to put health care reform aside to
deal with banking crisis and recession Later tried to rally public behind
health care proposals Passage of health care bill,
unemployment, and continuing recession contributed to low approval ratings
22
The President and the Public
Presidential concern with public opinion is way to further majoritarian democracy Presidents should respond to public opinion
as well as try to lead it Strategy of courting public opinion has risks
Many variables affect a president’s influence
Must realize all issues are not created equal in mind of public
23
Compared with What?Hatoyama Goes Down
Election due to public dissatisfaction with Liberal Democratic Party’s handling of economy
Started with approval rating of 79% Dropped 30 points in four months After six months, approval rating around
33%
Decline related to campaign finance scandal, indecision about relocation of U.S. air base on Okinawa, and the economy
24
Partisans in Congress Greatest success in Congress immediately
after inauguration—”HONEYMOON PERIOD” Success measured by how often president
wins on roll call votes where he has taken clear position
Good predictor is number of fellow partisans in Congress
Divided government may or may not cause gridlock
25
Figure 12.3
Congress: Friend or Foe?
26
Elections President must please many
constituencies while trying to do what is best for the country as a whole Dilemma of majoritarianism versus pluralism
To get elected, presidents must please some constituencies more than others
After election, may want to claim electoral MANDATE regarding campaign platform
27
Political Party System Presidential leadership shaped by
president’s relationship to dominant political party
Presidents elected in critical elections have more favorable conditions for exerting strong leadership
Weakest presidents constrained by affiliation with political party perceived as standing for worn-out ideas
28
The President as National Leader:Political Values
Presidents differ greatly in views of the role of government
Johnson’s strong liberal ideology basis for Great Society legislation designed to advance a “just” America
Reagan reasserted conservative philosophy, promoting reductions in government services
29
Different Visions
30
The President as National Leader:
Policy Agenda Roots of policy proposals found in general
political ideology of president
Newly-elected presidents must choose what policies to push for in Congress
President’s role in legislative leadership began in 20th century Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency
31
Chief Lobbyist While president may propose a bill,
Congress must decide what to do with it
President’s legislative liaison staff work with White House liaison staff to monitor progress of a bill
President may modify proposal or use arm-twisting to ensure passage
Must also work with interest groups to build support and activate public opinion
May use threat of veto to increase bargaining leverage with Congress
32
Party Leader An informal duty of the presidency
President and congressional leaders may have differing viewpoints
Increasingly partisan Congress means presidents focus more on party leadership than in bridging differences between parties
President also chief party fundraiser
33
The President as World Leader
President must be ready to act as diplomat and crisis manager
From WWII to 1980s, presidents tried to contain Communist expansion
Today’s presidents have three objectives: National security Fostering peaceful international
environment Protection of U.S. economic interests
34
Crisis Management Critical part of the presidency
Voters want president who projects image of careful judgment during an international crisis
Kennedy’s handling of Cuban missile crisis a model
Presidents inherit legacy of predecessor’s actions in the world
35
Crisis in Camelot
36
International Support for the War on Terror
37
Guidelines for Presidential Crisis Management
Draw on advice from a range of advisors and opinions
Do not act in unnecessary haste
Have a well-designed, formal review process with thorough analysis and open debate
Rigorously examine reasoning underlying all options to ensure assumptions valid
38