Chief Executive of the United States The Presidency Chief Executive of the United States

A complicated position People have great expectations for presidents to be powerful like Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK But, they’re skeptical of concentrated power… A complicated position

Heads of State & Government Head of State: Ceremonial Duties Head of Government: Policymaking Authority United States: President serves both purposes Great Britain: Queen vs. Prime Minister Heads of State & Government

Requirements of Presidents Formal Requirements 35 years old Resident of US for past 14 years Natural born citizen Informal “Requirements” White (Except Obama) Male Protestant (except Kennedy) All manner of professions, but mostly political ones Former state governors Congressmen Requirements of Presidents

Elections & Terms Elected to office Serve 4-year term Exploratory Committee  Announce Candidacy  Win Primary  Win General Election Popular Vote Electoral College Almost all states use winner-take-all system If no candidate wins a majority (270 votes) the House of Representatives would decide the election 12th Amendment – President & VP elected as a ‘ticket’ Serve 4-year term 22nd amendment limited number of terms to two (1951) Most presidents have been elected into office Can also acquire office as VP if Pres. dies or is removed Elections & Terms

25th Amendment (1967) defined presidential succession & disability VP serves as acting president if president is disabled, as determined by the VP & majority of Cabinet or 2/3 vote fo Congress New VP must be confirmed by majority vote of both houses VP takes office if President dies, resigns, or is convicted in an impeachment Succession

Indictment - Investigated by the House of Representatives (majority) Conviction - Tried by the Senate (2/3 vote) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides Only 2 in history & neither convicted Andrew Johnson Bill Clinton (Nixon just resigned) impeachment

Constitutional powers National Security Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces Standing military + nuclear arsenal Can deploy troops without congressional consent Makes treaties with other nations to be ratified by the Senate Sign executive agreements in routine matters with other countries Negotiate peace between other countries Leads US & Allies in defense & economic issues Shared War Powers w/congress Legislative Powers Veto power State of the Union Address Administrative Nominations Judicial Nominations Grant Pardons Constitutional powers

Informal Powers Inherent Powers – restrict power of Congress & Courts Executive Order – presidential order that has force of law & does not require congressional approval Executive Agreement – presidential agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval Similar to treaties Technically end when president leaves office… Informal Powers

Expansion of Power Congressional Delegation of Power Perspectives Delegated Powers: Congress gives executive branch more power to address new problems Examples: FDR & New Deal; PATRIOT Act; NSA’s wiretapping program Congress can enact legislation to reassert its authority Perspectives 1950s & ‘6os favored powerful president 1970s – power checked & distrusted by the public Why??? Expansion of Power

Executive Branch President Vice President Cabinet Few constitutional duties Recent VPs have been given important jobs by presidents Cabinet Presidential advisors Not explicitly listed in Constitution Cabinet Secretaries represent federal departments Secretaries confirmed by the Senate Executive Branch

Executive Office Several policymaking & advisory bodies 3 principle groups NSC – National Security council Coordinate foreign policy & military advisors President, VP, Secreatries fo State & Defense, National Security Advisor CEA – Council of Economic Advisers 3-member body to advise on economic policy OMB – Office of management & Budget B- Prepares annual budget to send to Congress M – oversight of bureaucracy Executive Office

Other influences White House Office First Lady White House Staff are the chief aides & staff of president Chosen on basis of loyalty to the president Need not be confirmed Example: National Security Advisor First Lady No official government position Many get involved politically Recently focus on single issue Example: Michelle Obama’s fight for nutritious school lunches Other influences

Interaction w/Congress Party Leadership Psychological bond between legislators & president with regard to party Controversial issues weaken support Use favors as leverage Coattail effect – minor influence Congressional bills must be approved by the President before becoming law Veto Power Veto: send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it Can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses Pocket Veto: let a bill die by not signing it in 10 days when Congress is adjourned Line Item Veto: ability to veto parts of a bill (usually $$) Governors may have this President does NOT Signing Statements – written message issued by president upon signing a bill that states objectives to some of the provisions in the bill Not provided for in the Constitution GWB increased use Obama also increasing use Interaction w/Congress

Signing statement examples President Franklin Roosevelt indicated in a signing statement in 1943, during World War II, that he felt Section 304 of the Urgent Deficiency Appropriations Act of 1943 was unconstitutional, but that he had no choice but to sign the bill "to avoid delaying our conduct of the war.“ George W Bush. – ‘Iran Freedom Support Act’ 2006 – “I applaud Congress for demonstrating its bipartisan commitment to confrontin the Iranian regime’s repressive and destabilizing activities…’ Signing statement examples

Congress continued Mandates Legislative Skills Perception that voters strongly support president’s leadership & policies Infrequent, but presidents may claim a mandate anyway Legislative Skills Bargaining, making appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities in State of the Union address Use the ‘honeymoon period’ wisely Key agenda builder Work with Congress for support & funding of foreign policies Congress continued

Public support is perhaps greatest source of influence a president has Stage appearances to gain attention Ceremonial functions = favorable press coverage Presidential Approval Product of many factors: war, economy, ‘honeymoon period’ Changes highlight good/bad decisions Media Contact Press Secretary is main contact person of White House Often more interested in the person, not the policies Coverage has become more negative Televised messages have low success in gaining support Public presidency

Approval ratings

Summary Americans expect a lot from presidents Presidents work as part of an organization of the executive branch and federal government Presidential leadership of Congress is central but difficult Presidential roles and responsibilities are tied to the Madisonian system of checks & balances Summary