The US President

Formal Powers of the President Although the most powerful politician in the world the US President is really very constrained within his own system. This reflects the problems the Founding Fathers had when establishing the Office of the President. His powers are outlines in Article 2 of the Constitution. He is virtually unique amongst world leaders in that he is both Head of Government and Head of State. The role of the President has expanded in the 20 th Century. However it has also had further constraints placed on it such as term limits.

Roles of the President As Head of State the President has the following roles: –Represent the USA at home and abroad –Be a national figurehead –Provide a focus for national grief/ joy –Protect the US from internal/ external threats As Head of Government the President has the following roles: –Chief Executive –Chief Diplomat –Commander in Chief –Controller of the US economy –Head of Party –Chief legislator

Limits on Presidential Power There are a number of formal and informal limits on Presidential power. These include: –Congress –Supreme Court –Constitutional Amendments –Political Culture –Mass Media –Pressure Groups –Public Opinion –Party Opposition –Bureaucracy

The US Cabinet The Constitutional position of the US Cabinet is unclear. Its role is to give advice to the President but its numbers or powers are not enumerated. It plays an inferior role in the US political system compared to that played by the Cabinet in Britain. There is no doctrine of collective responsibility in the US Cabinet. Although there are practical limits the President can appoint who he wants to Cabinet. Appointments are subject to Senate approval. Appointment to Cabinet may not represent the pinnacle of a politicians career in the US. The President’s Cabinet is still important. It sets the tone for the administration, is an important source of patronage and advice.

The Executive Office of the President Because Cabinet does not always work with the President over a period of time successive Presidents have built up their own personal bureaucracy. Numbers and organisation vary according to who is President. However its role remains essentially the same: ensure that the Presidency works. The parts that make up the EXOP are: –The White House Office –Office of the Management of the Budget –The National Security Council The EXOP is vital if the President is to fulfil his roles however it also poses problems such as the accountability of staff and relations with other branches of the Executive.

The Clinton Presidency Clinton undermined the dignity of the Office of the President. It would seem questionable to suggest that he was a success as President. Problems he faced included: –Political context: No crises to solve –Relations with Congress –Problems faced by all second term Presidents –Personal problems as President. However he was re-elected for a second term, was able to deal with a very hostile Congress and enjoyed a good degree of foreign policy success. Notably, however, he failed to ensure a legacy by helping his Vice President to become President.

George W Bush as President?