The Executive Branch Article II

Powers of the President

Formal Powers Those powers listed in the Constitution These powers are also called …?

Foreign Wars (send troops) Shared? Yes! Congress declares war

Execute laws Shared? No. President is chief executive.

Pardons and Reprieves Shared? No. President does not need approval. (example: Ford pardons Nixon)

Treaties and foreign policy Shared? Yes. Senate approves treaties and is involved in foreign relations

Appoint officials Shared? Yes. Makes his own nominations, but Senate approves.

Call Special Sessions Shared? No … but congress must attend

Veto Legislation Shared? No. Only President can veto, but Congress can overturn with a 2/3 vote

State of the Union Shared? No. It is delivered to Congress.

In charge of army/navy Shared? No. President is commander-in-chief

Propose Budget Shared? Yes. Congress helps create and approve

Informal powers Not specifically listed in Constitution Also called …?

Ceremonies Shared? No

Invite diplomats to White House Shared? No. Receiving diplomats is a formal power, but not the White House.

Shape Public Opinion Shared? Yes … with Linkage Institutions (Media, Interest groups, Parties)

Persuade Others Shared? Yes. Shared with everyone; politicians, media, IG, parties, public

Party Platform Shared? Yes, with party (determine what is important and what the party position will be on issues)

Set policy agenda Shared? Yes, with other branches and linkage institutions.

The President’s many hats (roles of the President) Diplomatic Legislative Military Executive Economic Party

Diplomatic Chief of State (Representative of the Nation) Foreign Policy Leader Make treaties and executive agreement (agreement with other nations, no Senate approval) Welcome foreign leaders Send foreign aid (troops, financial, etc.) Name ambassadors Develop foreign policy and national security Recognize other nations Ceremonies, symbolic events

Legislative Chief agenda setter Propose legislation Sign or veto bills Invite members of Congress to the White House Call special sessions Set public policy and policy agenda State of the union (outline the year’s agenda) Bully pulpit: use office to promote programs and influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

Military Commander-in-chief (civilian leader of the military) Send troops to stop riots, provide defense, combat War making powers shared with Congress (who declares war) Appointments (Joint Chiefs of Staff, head of CIA) Works with Department of Defense to decide strategy during war Decision on whether to bomb

Executive Chief Executive Manages bureaucracy and executive branch (hires/fires, hold meetings) Appoint officials, cabinet members, SCOTUS, federal judges (*senatorial courtesy – home state senators consulted before president nominates) Grant pardons (excuse offenders for crime) and reprieves (delay enactment of penalties) Executive order: issued to carry out law or new regulation that has same effect as law (can’t violate an existing law – Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) Executive Privilege: right to withhold information from Congress or refuse to testify (limited by US v. Nixon)

Economic Propose Budget, Congress modifies and approves, President approves Work with Secretary of the Treasury Policies to handle unemployment and inflation Propose tax cuts/increases Meet with economic advisors Appoint chairmen of Federal Reserve (makes decisions about interest rates and money supply) Trade agreements

Party Party Leader Focus and direction for party (set platform) Work with party leaders and Congress members to pass legislation into law Persuade public, media, politicians, interest groups Shape public opinion Campaigns for party members; appears at fundraisers and events Parties are not in the Constitution; this role is based on custom

How does the President use his powers and duties to check on the Legislative and Judicial branch?

Executive checks on Legislative VETO POWER – Line item veto – 1996 Line Item Veto Act ruled unconstitutional in Clinton v. U.S. Setting policy agenda (influencing Congressmen, the public, State of the Union, using the media, etc.) Call Special Session of Congress **(Executive Order – give directive to bureaucracy without Congress passing a law) **(Executive Agreement – make agreement with leader of another country, doesn’t need Senate approval but is not U.S. law and is not binding for other Presidents)

Executive checks on Judicial Power to grant pardons and reprieves – Pardon: legal forgiveness of a crime – Reprieve: postponement of the execution of a sentence (can delay punishment) Power to appoint justices to the SCOTUS – Important because they can nominate someone who shares their views, and they keep that appointment for life

The President Qualifications and Characteristics

Formal Qualifications 35 years old Natural born citizen 14 year resident 4 year term 2 term limit

Informal Qualifications Background in business or public service Political or military service Well-educated White, male, middle-upper class, Protestant Married

Modern Presidents What defined their presidency?

Eisenhower President during Brown v. Board

JFK Bay of Pigs Cuban Missile Crisis Assassination

Johnson (LBJ) Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act

Nixon Out of Vietnam Watergate

Ford Pardons Nixon Set nuclear limits

Carter Iranian Hostage Crisis Diplomatic relations (Egypt/Israel)

Reagan Restores national pride Reaganomics

Bush (H/Sr.) Gulf War

Clinton Impeachment Economy improves

Bush (W) 9/11 Homeland Security

Obama First African-American President Troops out of Iraq