Chapter 9Presidential Leadership

Chapter 9Section 1Presidential Powers

Need for a strong Executive◦ The founders recognized the need for a strong

executive.◦ A strong executive was needed to overcome the

weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.◦ Also needed to hold the legislative branch in check.

Presidential Powers in Article II◦ Grants the president broad but vaguely described

powers.◦ He heads the executive branch, is commander in

chief, conducts foreign policy, and has judicial powers.

Constitutional Powers

Personal Exercise of Power◦ Presidents have added to their powers by their

actions: Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territories

despite the Constitution not granting that right to the President.

Theodore Roosevelt declared his intent to do anything the needs of the nation required.

Informal Sources of Power

Immediate Needs of the Nation◦ During national crises, some presidents greatly

expanded the powers of the presidency. Abraham Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas

corpus and jailed opponents of the Union without trials.

Franklin Roosevelt used the presidency to expand the role of the federal government.

George W. Bush was given sweeping new authority from Congress to fight terrorism.

Informal Sources of Power

Mandate of the People◦ Modern presidents claim their ideas and policies

represent a mandate from the people, and they use all forms of mass media to build support for their ideas

◦ Reagan was called the “Great Communicator” for his ability to deliver his message directly to the people through television

Informal Sources of Power

Limitation by Congress◦ The Constitution gives Congress the power to limit

presidential authority by overriding a veto or impeaching and removing the president from office for clear abuse of power.

Limitation by the Federal Courts◦ Federal courts also limit the president’s power.

Marbury v. Madison established the Supreme Court’s right to review legislative action.

Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer ruled that there is no statute which authorized the president to take control of a private business.

Limits on Presidential Powers

Limitation by Bureaucracy◦ The federal bureaucracy sometimes limits presidential

power by obstructing programs or failing to carry them out properly.

◦ This happens often when key bureaucrats work closely with congressional leaders rather than the president.

Limitation by Public Opinion◦ Public opinion can limit the president’s actions.◦ Clinton’s health care program was derailed before it

could be made into law because the people spoke out against it.

Limits on Presidential Powers

Chapter 9Section 2

Roles of the President

Represents the nation at ceremonial functions.◦ Serves as host to visiting kings, queens, and

heads of government.◦ Throws out the first pitch at MLB games.

The president is considered more then a politician, but rather a symbol of the entire United States.

Head of State

Heads the 2 million person executive branch.

Influences how laws are executed through executive orders, presidential appointments, removal of appointed officials, and impoundment.◦ Executive Order: a rule issued by the president

that has the force of law.◦ Impoundment: the president’s refusal to spend

money Congress has voted to fund a program

Chief Executive

Grants pardons, reprieves, or amnesty

◦ Reprieve: grants a postponement of legal punishment

◦ Pardon: a release from legal punishment

◦ Amnesty: a group pardon to people for an offense against the government

Chief Executive

Legislative Programs◦ The president proposes legislation to Congress,

usually in the State of the Union Address.◦ The president must work harder for congressional

support when Congress is controlled by the opposition party.

Tools of Presidential Lawmaking◦ The president may use political favors to gain

congressional support◦ The president has the threat of the veto to

influence Congress.

Chief Legislator

The president has gained important economic powers since the New Deal.

Promotes high employment, production, and purchasing power.

Required to prepare the federal budget each year.

Economic Planner

The president helps raise party funds and plan campaign strategies.

The president uses political patronage to appoint party members to government jobs.◦ Patronage: the practice of granting favors to

reward party loyalty

Party Leader

The president directs foreign policy and overseas foreign affairs information agencies.

The Power to make Treaties◦ With Senate approval, presidents can make

treaties, or formal agreements with foreign governments.

Chief Diplomat

The Power to make Executive Agreements◦ The president can make pacts with heads of

foreign government.◦ Theses agreements have the same legal status as

treaties but do not require Senate approval.

Recognition of Foreign Governments◦ The president determines whether the

government will acknowledge the legal existence of another government.

Chief Diplomat

The president shares, with Congress, the power to wage war.

The president makes key military policy decisions.

The president supports war efforts on the home front during wars.

The president may use the armed forces to end disorders or give aid in natural disasters.

Commander in Chief

Chapter 9Section 3Styles of Leadership

Modern presidents have provided strong leadership for the nation, even though the Founders expected Congress to lead the nation.

Presidents provide leadership in introducing bold new ideas as well as responding to crises at home and abroad.

Increased Responsibilities

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

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

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

Leadership Qualities and Skills

Successful presidents must:1. be flexible and open to new ideas;

2. be able to compromise;

3. have political courage and be willing to go against public opinion in matters they believe are vital to the nation’s interests.

Leadership Qualities and Skills

The special treatment given to modern presidents risks isolating them 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

Access to the president often forces top staffers and advisers to flatter the president and provide only good news and favorable opinions.

Top staffers control access to the president.

Dealing with White House staff requires much of the president’s time and makes it more difficult to keep in touch with the public.

Presidential Isolation

To keep White House discussions and advice secret, presidents invoke executive privilege to avoid giving such information to Congress or the courts.

Modern presidents have claimed that executive privilege also protects their communications with other members of the executive branch.

The Supreme Court has ruled that executive privilege is constitutionally based.

The Use of Executive Privilege