AM GOV 2010 Joseph A. Losco Ralph E. Baker. THE PRESIDENCY Chapter 12.

AM GOV 2010AM GOV 2010

Joseph A. Losco Joseph A. Losco

Ralph E. BakerRalph E. Baker

THE PRESIDENCYTHE PRESIDENCY

Chapter 12Chapter 12

As You ReadAs You Read

What is the path to the presidency?What is the path to the presidency? What are the major Constitutional duties and What are the major Constitutional duties and

non-Constitutional roles of the president?non-Constitutional roles of the president? What agencies and personal factors help to What agencies and personal factors help to

produce a successful presidency?produce a successful presidency?

3© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

ORIGIN AND POWERS OF ORIGIN AND POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCYTHE PRESIDENCY

Article II of the Constitution outlines the Article II of the Constitution outlines the requirements for election to office, as well as the requirements for election to office, as well as the powers, duties, and limits on the authority of the powers, duties, and limits on the authority of the president.president.

The nature of the presidency has evolved over the The nature of the presidency has evolved over the years.years. George Washington avoided partisanship and was George Washington avoided partisanship and was

respectful of Congress, but was willing to assert his respectful of Congress, but was willing to assert his independenceindependence

With the rise of political parties, Congress played the With the rise of political parties, Congress played the lead role in choosing presidential candidateslead role in choosing presidential candidates


ORIGIN AND POWERS OF ORIGIN AND POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCYTHE PRESIDENCY

The mid-1800s saw a series of strong The mid-1800s saw a series of strong presidents including Jackson, Polk, and presidents including Jackson, Polk, and Lincoln.Lincoln. After the Civil War, presidential power wanedAfter the Civil War, presidential power waned Power of parties declined after 1900, and Power of parties declined after 1900, and

presidency regained powerpresidency regained power Franklin Roosevelt began modern era of expanded Franklin Roosevelt began modern era of expanded

presidential powerpresidential power


THE PATH TO THE THE PATH TO THE PRESIDENCY PRESIDENCY

Most presidential candidates have been white, Most presidential candidates have been white, male, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant.male, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant.

Most presidential candidates held political Most presidential candidates held political office immediately before becoming chief office immediately before becoming chief executive.executive.


GETTING ELECTED GETTING ELECTED

Presidential candidates must raise huge sums of Presidential candidates must raise huge sums of money to run for office.money to run for office. Primary candidates eligible for partial public financing Primary candidates eligible for partial public financing

of campaign activitiesof campaign activities Because of public funding limits, many candidates Because of public funding limits, many candidates

now fund campaigns privatelynow fund campaigns privately Major parties qualify for public funding of national Major parties qualify for public funding of national

nominating conventionsnominating conventions Recent campaigns have demonstrated public financing Recent campaigns have demonstrated public financing

needs to be reformedneeds to be reformed Internet has changed way candidates solicit funds, Internet has changed way candidates solicit funds,

especially from small donorsespecially from small donors7© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.


Primary elections and caucuses determine the Primary elections and caucuses determine the composition of each state’s delegation to the composition of each state’s delegation to the party’s national convention.party’s national convention. In statewide elections, voters express support for In statewide elections, voters express support for

specific candidatesspecific candidates Delegates to the party’s convention pledge to vote for Delegates to the party’s convention pledge to vote for

candidates they were chosen to representcandidates they were chosen to represent A candidate must have the support of a majority of A candidate must have the support of a majority of

delegates to be nominateddelegates to be nominated States with early primaries play disproportionate role States with early primaries play disproportionate role

in shaping public opinion about candidatesin shaping public opinion about candidates



The nominees and their running mates are The nominees and their running mates are usually decided well before the national usually decided well before the national conventions.conventions.

After the nominees are chosen, the parties vie After the nominees are chosen, the parties vie for votes in the general election.for votes in the general election.



Members of the Electoral College cast the Members of the Electoral College cast the deciding votes in presidential elections.deciding votes in presidential elections. Candidate with a plurality of popular votes in a state Candidate with a plurality of popular votes in a state

receives all electoral votes from that statereceives all electoral votes from that state Candidate with most electoral votes wins general Candidate with most electoral votes wins general

election (except Maine and Nebraska, which split their election (except Maine and Nebraska, which split their electoral votes)electoral votes)

If no candidate receives majority of electoral votes, If no candidate receives majority of electoral votes, members of the House choose president from among members of the House choose president from among the top vote gettersthe top vote getters

A candidate may win popular vote, but lose electoral A candidate may win popular vote, but lose electoral votevote



Candidates must devise a strategy to gather the Candidates must devise a strategy to gather the electoral votes they need to win.electoral votes they need to win. They must win “base” states that reliably vote for They must win “base” states that reliably vote for

their party in general electionstheir party in general elections Candidates rarely spend time or resources in their Candidates rarely spend time or resources in their

opponents’ strongholdsopponents’ strongholds They must pick competitive battleground states They must pick competitive battleground states

where they have the best hope of successwhere they have the best hope of success


PRESIDENTIAL POWER PRESIDENTIAL POWER

The president has few express powers.The president has few express powers. President uses powers delegated by Congress to enact President uses powers delegated by Congress to enact

legislationlegislation President may exercise discretionary powers to carry President may exercise discretionary powers to carry

out official dutiesout official duties As the nation’s chief executive officer, the As the nation’s chief executive officer, the

president oversees a vast bureaucracy.president oversees a vast bureaucracy. President appoints people to run day-to-day operations President appoints people to run day-to-day operations

of governmentof government President must seek Senate approval for all President must seek Senate approval for all

appointmentsappointments



The president submits an annual budget to The president submits an annual budget to Congress.Congress. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the

president in preparing budget requestspresident in preparing budget requests President is constitutionally responsible for enforcing President is constitutionally responsible for enforcing

the lawthe law Federal law enforcement authority has grown steadily Federal law enforcement authority has grown steadily

in recent yearsin recent years President may issue executive orders to carry out President may issue executive orders to carry out

constitutional dutiesconstitutional duties Use of executive orders has increased with growth of Use of executive orders has increased with growth of

federal bureaucracyfederal bureaucracy13© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.


The president serves as commander in chief of The president serves as commander in chief of the armed forces.the armed forces. In most of the nation’s conflicts, president has In most of the nation’s conflicts, president has

acted without declaration of war by Congressacted without declaration of war by Congress During times of crisis, president may assume During times of crisis, president may assume

emergency powersemergency powers Use of emergency powers is controversial and has Use of emergency powers is controversial and has

led to conflicts over civil libertiesled to conflicts over civil liberties



The president historically has taken the lead in The president historically has taken the lead in negotiating treaties and conducting diplomacy.negotiating treaties and conducting diplomacy. President can extend diplomatic recognition to foreign President can extend diplomatic recognition to foreign

nationsnations Presidential doctrines outline goals or purposes of Presidential doctrines outline goals or purposes of

U.S. foreign policyU.S. foreign policy President can sign executive agreements with foreign President can sign executive agreements with foreign

leaders, which do not require Senate approvalleaders, which do not require Senate approval President can convene summit meetings with foreign President can convene summit meetings with foreign

leadersleaders



The president serves as the nation’s symbolic The president serves as the nation’s symbolic leader, or chief of state.leader, or chief of state. President has few official duties as chief of statePresident has few official duties as chief of state Role has become more important as president’s Role has become more important as president’s

public visibility has increasedpublic visibility has increased



The president plays a key role in lawmaking. The president plays a key role in lawmaking. President can veto laws passed by CongressPresident can veto laws passed by Congress Two-thirds of both houses of Congress must vote Two-thirds of both houses of Congress must vote

to override presidential vetoto override presidential veto Executive branch actively lobbies Congress to Executive branch actively lobbies Congress to

influence legislationinfluence legislation Presidents can add signing statements to Presidents can add signing statements to

legislation they approve, but to which they have legislation they approve, but to which they have some objection or reservationsome objection or reservation


PRESIDENTIAL ROLES PRESIDENTIAL ROLES

The president serves as leader of the party.The president serves as leader of the party. President can distribute patronage and offer President can distribute patronage and offer

support to party loyalistssupport to party loyalists President raises money and campaigns for President raises money and campaigns for

congressional candidatescongressional candidates The president has relatively little control over The president has relatively little control over

the economy.the economy. President can influence tax and spending proposalsPresident can influence tax and spending proposals President can negotiate trade agreementsPresident can negotiate trade agreements


PRESIDENTIAL ROLES PRESIDENTIAL ROLES

The president is responsible for promoting the The president is responsible for promoting the party’s agenda.party’s agenda. Presidents usually enjoy honeymoon period free Presidents usually enjoy honeymoon period free

from public criticismfrom public criticism Presidents use polls to gauge public mood and Presidents use polls to gauge public mood and

shape their messagesshape their messages


THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The cabinet consists of political appointees The cabinet consists of political appointees chosen by the president to lead the most chosen by the president to lead the most important government departments.important government departments. Presidents rely primarily on inner cabinet: Presidents rely primarily on inner cabinet:

secretaries of defense, treasury, and state, and the secretaries of defense, treasury, and state, and the attorney generalattorney general

Modern presidents rarely meet with entire cabinet Modern presidents rarely meet with entire cabinet except for ceremonial occasionsexcept for ceremonial occasions

Cabinet’s role in policymaking is clearly recedingCabinet’s role in policymaking is clearly receding



The Executive Office of the President (EOP) The Executive Office of the President (EOP) advises the president and helps manage the advises the president and helps manage the federal bureaucracy.federal bureaucracy. White House Office includes the president’s White House Office includes the president’s

closest political advisers, who require no Senate closest political advisers, who require no Senate confirmationconfirmation

President’s closest adviser is chief of staff, who President’s closest adviser is chief of staff, who coordinates communication between the president coordinates communication between the president and other staffersand other staffers



The National Security Council (NSC) advises the The National Security Council (NSC) advises the president on matters of national security.president on matters of national security.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the president in preparing budget requests.assists the president in preparing budget requests.

Policy councils gather experts to advise the Policy councils gather experts to advise the president in specific policy areas.president in specific policy areas.


PRESIDENTIAL STYLE PRESIDENTIAL STYLE

Each president adopts a management style that Each president adopts a management style that affects decision making within the administration.affects decision making within the administration.

Personal traits associated with successful Personal traits associated with successful presidents include intelligence, communication presidents include intelligence, communication skills, decisiveness, respect for democratic skills, decisiveness, respect for democratic principles, optimism, and hope.principles, optimism, and hope.

Character traits linked to failure include Character traits linked to failure include compulsiveness, rigidity, defensiveness, and compulsiveness, rigidity, defensiveness, and introversion.introversion.


ADDRESSING PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESSING PRESIDENTIAL POWER AND ITS LIMITSPOWER AND ITS LIMITS

The presidency has become extremely The presidency has become extremely powerful but must still work within the powerful but must still work within the framework of the Constitution.framework of the Constitution.

Impeachment provides the most severe limit Impeachment provides the most severe limit on presidential power.on presidential power.


THE VICE PRESIDENCY THE VICE PRESIDENCY

The vice president has few constitutional duties.The vice president has few constitutional duties. Vice president serves as president of SenateVice president serves as president of Senate Vice president acts as successor to president in case of Vice president acts as successor to president in case of

death or resignationdeath or resignation Recent presidents have given more authority to Recent presidents have given more authority to

their vice presidents.their vice presidents. Al Gore ran Bill Clinton’s “reinventing government” Al Gore ran Bill Clinton’s “reinventing government”

initiativeinitiative Dick Cheney played a central role in George W. Dick Cheney played a central role in George W.

Bush’s administrationBush’s administration


CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE PRESIDENCY TODAYTHE PRESIDENCY TODAY

As owners of the many federal agencies the As owners of the many federal agencies the President oversees, citizens must demand President oversees, citizens must demand responsible stewardship by those we place in responsible stewardship by those we place in charge.charge.

The President must engage in conversations The President must engage in conversations with the public; public support is crucial.with the public; public support is crucial.


Democratic and Republican Caucus Democratic and Republican Caucus and Primary Winnersand Primary Winners


Battleground States in the Battleground States in the 2008 Election2008 Election


Pace of Unilateral Actions from Pace of Unilateral Actions from Inauguration through Day 100Inauguration through Day 100


Presidents’ Foreign Travel through Presidents’ Foreign Travel through Day 100Day 100


When the President Has WonWhen the President Has Won


Barack Obama’s Approval Rating, Barack Obama’s Approval Rating, Fall 2009Fall 2009


Composition of the Obama Composition of the Obama Cabinet, 2009Cabinet, 2009


Executive Offices of the PresidentExecutive Offices of the President


© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hot or Not?Hot or Not?

Should we change the Should we change the Constitution to allow Constitution to allow naturalized foreign-born naturalized foreign-born citizens to be elected president?citizens to be elected president?

35

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hot or Not?Hot or Not?

Should presidents be prohibited Should presidents be prohibited from using signing statements from using signing statements to interpret the law?to interpret the law?

36

Get InvolvedGet Involved

If you are interested in foreign affairs and traveling If you are interested in foreign affairs and traveling the world, take a look at study and intern the world, take a look at study and intern opportunities available through the Department of opportunities available through the Department of State. Some students work in Washington, D.C., State. Some students work in Washington, D.C., and others have the opportunity to work at an and others have the opportunity to work at an embassy overseas. Positions are both paid and embassy overseas. Positions are both paid and unpaid, and many are available during spring, unpaid, and many are available during spring, summer, or fall. Positions require U.S. citizenship, summer, or fall. Positions require U.S. citizenship, a good academic record, and either a secret or top-a good academic record, and either a secret or top-secret clearance. More information is available at secret clearance. More information is available at http://www.state.gov. .


SummarySummary

What is the path to the presidency?What is the path to the presidency?

Presidential candidates run in state primary Presidential candidates run in state primary elections and caucuses to amass enough elections and caucuses to amass enough delegates to secure their party’s nomination. delegates to secure their party’s nomination. The party conventions formalize the choice of The party conventions formalize the choice of nominee. The general election is decided by nominee. The general election is decided by the tallying of Electoral College votes; the the tallying of Electoral College votes; the candidate needs 270 to win.candidate needs 270 to win.


SummarySummary

What are the major Constitutional duties What are the major Constitutional duties and non-Constitutional roles of the and non-Constitutional roles of the president?president?

Constitutional duties include commander in Constitutional duties include commander in chief of the armed forces, the chief executive, chief of the armed forces, the chief executive, and the chief law enforcer. Presidents today and the chief law enforcer. Presidents today serve as leaders of their political party, serve as leaders of their political party, economic leaders, and leaders of public economic leaders, and leaders of public opinion.opinion.


SummarySummary

What agencies and personal factors help to What agencies and personal factors help to produce a successful presidency?produce a successful presidency?

The president is assisted by the cabinet and the The president is assisted by the cabinet and the Executive Office of the President, which includes the Executive Office of the President, which includes the White House Office, the National Security Council, White House Office, the National Security Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and various the Office of Management and Budget, and various policy councils. The president’s personal policy councils. The president’s personal management style and personality can determine the management style and personality can determine the success of a presidency.success of a presidency.


AM GOV 2010 Joseph A. Losco Ralph E. Baker. THE PRESIDENCY Chapter 12.

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Transcript of AM GOV 2010 Joseph A. Losco Ralph E. Baker. THE PRESIDENCY Chapter 12.