The Presidency: Conventional Wisdom Redefined Chapter 7

Becoming President Diversity Prior to 2009, all presidents had been White, male, and Christian There has been one Catholic president and one Black president There has been slightly greater diversity among those running for president

The Presidential Selection Process Contributes significantly to the lack of diversity in the presidency The nomination battle Caucuses and primaries These first contests are in states with White populations over 90% The general election Electoral College Candidate that wins the popular majority might not win Electoral College

The Presidential Selection Process Financing presidential campaigns Presidential campaigns are extremely expensive Racial and ethnic minorities often find financing major campaigns more difficult than their White opponents Super PACs Allowed to raise unlimited funds for political activity and advertising as long as they do not coordinate with a political campaign Can be extremely influential in political races

Amount in Millions of Dollars Spent on Each Candidate That the Top Ten Super PACs Devoted to Advocating for Specific Presidential 2016 Candidates

Amount in Millions of Dollars That the Top Ten Overall Super PACS Spent on Conservative and Liberal Messages during the 2016 Election Cycle

Presidential Power Originally designed to have minimal influence on policy making Modern presidency Since President Franklin Roosevelt, beginning in 1933, the presidency: Connects with the American public Seeks to lead Congress Presides over an enormous executive branch

Presidential Power Administrative powers of the president Enforce laws Ensure policies go into effect Sign statements Issue executive orders Nominate executive branch officials, federal judges, and ambassadors

Average Number of Executive Orders Issued per Year, Roosevelt Through Obama

Presidential Power Foreign powers of the president Receives ambassadors Negotiates treaties Alternative: Executive agreements Serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces Congressional War Powers Enemy combatants

Presidential Power Domestic powers of the president Veto Pocket veto State of the Union address Attempts to suggest legislation to Congress Attempts to garner public support for policy agenda

Executive Branch Organization The vice president Vice presidents have become increasingly important in the executive branch The president’s spouse “First ladies” have been increasingly involved in civic life and advancing social and political goals

Executive Branch Organization The Cabinet The heads of executive branch departments and others designated by the president Rarely meets together, and the modern presidency has deemphasized the cabinet’s advisory role Cabinet officials are often used to build political and public support for executive policies Historically, not racially and ethnically diverse

Executive Branch Organization The Executive Office of the President (EOP) Used for expert, reliable counsel Racial, ethnic, and gender diversity important in the EOP in terms of influence on public policy

Executive Branch Organization The White House staff President’s personally selected advisers Press secretary Chief of staff

Presidents and Congress Negotiating with Congress Divided vs. unified government Under divided government, it can be difficult for a president to achieve policy goals Under unified government, factions within a party can make presidential goals difficult to achieve

Presidents and Congress Presidents and the public Mandate Race and ethnicity can influence how the public perceives the president

Presidential Support by Race

Presidents and Congress Congressional investigation of the executive branch Impeachment Executive privilege United States v. Nixon (1974)