Section 4: Evolution of the Presidency

Section 4: Evolution of the Presidency

Some feared that the president would overpower state governments using the military or that they would become just a tool of Senate.

Their biggest fear:

REELECTION (would they try to stay in office for life?)

Some feared that the president would overpower state governments using the military or that they would become just a tool of Senate.

Their biggest fear:

REELECTION (would they try to stay in office for life?)

Plan 1 for election:

Congress to elect the president (quasi-legislative)

Plan 1 for election:

Congress to elect the president (quasi-legislative)

Plan 2 for election

Chosen directly by the voters, but would all voters make an informed decision?

Plan 2 for election

Chosen directly by the voters, but would all voters make an informed decision?

Which one won?

Compromise ----- ELECTORAL COLLEGE!!

Which one won?

Compromise ----- ELECTORAL COLLEGE!!

The First Presidents

Most prominent men in the new nation

In the early years the national government had little to do

The First Presidents

Most prominent men in the new nation

In the early years the national government had little to do

The presidency was kept modest, kept simple, ex. Cannot be on a coin until after death - decided by Congress

Rarely vetoed, only when law seemed unconstitutional. Washington only used two vetoes. TJ and J Adams used 0.

The presidency was kept modest, kept simple, ex. Cannot be on a coin until after death - decided by Congress

Rarely vetoed, only when law seemed unconstitutional. Washington only used two vetoes. TJ and J Adams used 0.

Jacksonians

Vetoed 12 acts, more than all previous presidents

He saw himself as the tribune of the people

Jacksonians

Vetoed 12 acts, more than all previous presidents

He saw himself as the tribune of the people

Jacksonians cont.

Did not shrink from conflict with Congress, only intensified by their personality

Believed in a strong and independent presidency

Jacksonians cont.

Did not shrink from conflict with Congress, only intensified by their personality

Believed in a strong and independent presidency

Reemergence of Congress

After Jackson Congress reestablished much of its power

President largely subordinate to Congress

“No Names” Era

Only Lincoln broke new ground (implied, inherent, and C in Chief)

Reemergence of Congress

After Jackson Congress reestablished much of its power

President largely subordinate to Congress

“No Names” Era

Only Lincoln broke new ground (implied, inherent, and C in Chief)

Presidency now and DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

What is divided government?

One party controls the White House and the other controls Congress

16/24 elections between 1952-2000 produced divided government

Presidency now and DIVIDED GOVERNMENT

What is divided government?

One party controls the White House and the other controls Congress

16/24 elections between 1952-2000 produced divided government

Cont.

Many argue that it produces partisan bickering, political paralysis and policy gridlock, but its not clear whether this really happens.

Divided Government does well on passing important laws, conducting investigations, and ratifying treaties.

Cont.

Many argue that it produces partisan bickering, political paralysis and policy gridlock, but its not clear whether this really happens.

Divided Government does well on passing important laws, conducting investigations, and ratifying treaties.

Cont.

Checks and balances ensure the power struggle between the two branches, NOT divided government

Mid Term Elections -

Presidential party usually loses power

Cont.

Checks and balances ensure the power struggle between the two branches, NOT divided government

Mid Term Elections -

Presidential party usually loses power

White House Office-

Closest assistants have offices in the west wing

They generally oversee the political and policy interests of the presidents

White House Office-

Closest assistants have offices in the west wing

They generally oversee the political and policy interests of the presidents

Section 5: The White House Office

Section 5: The White House Office

They do not have to be confirmed by Senate because they are his/her personal staff

They are usually drawn from the ranks of the presidents campaign staff, and long time associates of the president

He looks toward the staff for advice

They do not have to be confirmed by Senate because they are his/her personal staff

They are usually drawn from the ranks of the presidents campaign staff, and long time associates of the president

He looks toward the staff for advice

Different White House Office Structures

Pyramid Structure

Ike, Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr

Most assistants report through a hierarchy to a Chief of Staff who then deals directly with the president

Different White House Office Structures

Pyramid Structure

Ike, Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr

Most assistants report through a hierarchy to a Chief of Staff who then deals directly with the president

Circular Structure

Carter

Cabinet secretaries and assistants report directly to the president

Circular Structure

Carter

Cabinet secretaries and assistants report directly to the president

Ad Hoc Structure

Clinton

Task forces, committees and informal groups of friends and advisors report to president

Ad Hoc Structure

Clinton

Task forces, committees and informal groups of friends and advisors report to president

Which would be most effective?

What style would you want to have?

Which would be most effective?

What style would you want to have?

Executive Office of the Presidency

Agencies and the bureaucracy

These appointments must be confirmed by Senate

Helps carry out presidents administration’s responsibilities

3 issues - Domestic, Foreign and Military

Executive Office of the Presidency

Agencies and the bureaucracy

These appointments must be confirmed by Senate

Helps carry out presidents administration’s responsibilities

3 issues - Domestic, Foreign and Military

Chief of Staff -

Top Aide to pres

Manages executive office and can control access to the pres

Because of this they have a tremendous impact on the effectiveness of president and Cabinet

Chief of Staff -

Top Aide to pres

Manages executive office and can control access to the pres

Because of this they have a tremendous impact on the effectiveness of president and Cabinet

Chief of Staff cont.

President has trust in this person

usually a long time aide or friend

Rahm Emanuel

Chief of Staff cont.

President has trust in this person

usually a long time aide or friend

Rahm Emanuel

National Security Council

Headed by the National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley

Direct access to president in matters relating to military and foreign policy

National Security Council

Headed by the National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley

Direct access to president in matters relating to military and foreign policy

cont

Largely free from congressional oversight and because of this it has become a favorite resource of presidents

cont

Largely free from congressional oversight and because of this it has become a favorite resource of presidents

Examples where presidents used the National Security Council

JFK-Cuban Missile Crisis

Reagan - Iran Contra

Bush Sr. and the Gulf War

Examples where presidents used the National Security Council

JFK-Cuban Missile Crisis

Reagan - Iran Contra

Bush Sr. and the Gulf War

Domestic Policy Council

Assist president in formulating policies relating to:

Energy, education, agriculture, natural resources, economic affairs, health and human resources, welfare reform, drug abuse, crime

Domestic Policy Council

Assist president in formulating policies relating to:

Energy, education, agriculture, natural resources, economic affairs, health and human resources, welfare reform, drug abuse, crime

Council of Economic Advisors

Help to make national economic policy

Designed to increase prosperity

Council of Economic Advisors

Help to make national economic policy

Designed to increase prosperity

US Trade Representatives

Responsible for negotiating complex trade and tariff agreements for the president

GATT (General Agreements on Tariff and Trade) and NAFTA are negotiated by the Trade Representatives on behalf of the president and with the guidance of the White House

US Trade Representatives

Responsible for negotiating complex trade and tariff agreements for the president

GATT (General Agreements on Tariff and Trade) and NAFTA are negotiated by the Trade Representatives on behalf of the president and with the guidance of the White House

Office of Management and BUDGET

Budget Bureau then OMB in 1921

Assembles and analyzes figures that go into the national budget which president submits to Congress

Office of Management and BUDGET

Budget Bureau then OMB in 1921

Assembles and analyzes figures that go into the national budget which president submits to Congress

OMB cont.

Studies over executive organizations and their operations

Reviews proposals of Cabinet departments

Lots of power because they have the ability to allocate $ to Cabinet departments through the budget process

OMB cont.

Studies over executive organizations and their operations

Reviews proposals of Cabinet departments

Lots of power because they have the ability to allocate $ to Cabinet departments through the budget process

The Cabinet

Procedure of tradition

Constitution does not mention this

They do not have all that much influence over presidential decisions, but it also matters on the president

The Cabinet

Procedure of tradition

Constitution does not mention this

They do not have all that much influence over presidential decisions, but it also matters on the president

Cabinet cont.

15 major departments, newest is the Department of Homeland Security

Can be dismissed at the president’s will

Cabinet cont.

15 major departments, newest is the Department of Homeland Security

Can be dismissed at the president’s will