1. Unit 4: Institutions of Government
The Presidency
Article II
Chapter 13

2. Obama
Are individual personalities now more important than parties?

3. Bush
Can the President control public discussion?

4. Clinton, Reagan, Nixon
Does a president have to be “moral” in order to be a good president?

5. Nixon
Do Americans need a President to have trustworthy character?

6. Eisenhower
Must the modern President always be involved in everything or have a solution for everything?

7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
What role does confidence in the President have on American morale?

8. FDR Does a lot of action and policy creation make a President “great”?
Can a President be “great” if not much is changed during their Presidency?

9. Constitutional Requirements
Qualifications
Art. II
“natural-born citizen”
14 years of US residency
35 years of age
THAT’S IT!!!

10. Constitutional Powers
Powers/duties are very limited
“executive power” – enact/enforce law
Military Power
Diplomatic Power
Appointment Power
Veto Power

11. Military Power Commander in Chief (civilian control)
POTUS can send armed forces abroad
Congress has not declared war since 12/8/1941
Korea, Vietnam, Iraq? – all Constitutional
War Powers Resolution, 1973
POTUS must report to Congress within 48 hours after deployment
If Congress does not OK in 60 days, must withdraw
Check on president, attempt to limit president

12. Diplomatic Power
Create treaties with foreign nations with Senate permission, 2/3 Senate approval (advice and consent)
Executive agreement – not permission needed, deal between heads of state, not binding to next administration
Diplomatic Recognition – power to officially recognize foreign gov as legit
Ex – USSR not recognized
Ex s – China not recognized

13. Appointment Power
Power to appoint ambassadors, public officers, and Supreme Court Judges with Senate approval (advice and consent)
Civil Service – most gov jobs under executive filled based on merit system
Harriet Miers
John Bolton
John Roberts

14. Veto Power Veto – return the bill to house it originated
(no action within 10 days – bill becomes law)

15. Strengthening the Presidency
Washington – set precedent for future
Jackson – frequent use of veto power
Lincoln – Commander and Chief to new levels of power during the Civil War
FDR – huge influence on policy with New Deal, checked by Supreme Court

16. Executive privilege
The right to privacy of conversation between advisors and president
Why?
Separation of powers prevents branches from sharing internal workings
Privacy is needed for candid advice from advisors with out political pressure

17. Executive Privilege US v. Nixon
Nixon refused to hand over recorded conversations, claiming Exec. Privilege
Court ruled in favor of US
EP can’t be used to block the function of the federal court procedures

18. Impoundment
Presidential practice of refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress.
Budget Reform and Impoundment Act of 1974 – president must spend funds

19. The President as Morale Builder
Symbolic importance (FDR – Great Depression, Bush – 9/11)
Unify nation

20. Agenda Setting
The President can control public policy and discussion through…
The media
State of the Union speech
Make policy proposals
Encourage the Congress

21. Executive Orders POTUS issues executive orders that have force of law
Ex – power to enforce the Constitution, treaties, laws, etc.
FDR – allowed Japanese internment
Truman – integrate military
Eisenhower – desegregate public schools

22. Line-Item Veto???
Should the President be able to veto certain parts of a bill, and not other parts?
Line-Item Veto Act 1996
Clinton v. City of New York (1997) – law found unconstitutional

23. Gridlock
Divided government – President and Congress majority represent different political parties
“gridlock” – the inability to accomplish goals
Con – government operation shuts down
Pro – slows the decision making process, example of check and balance

24. Vice President Preside over the Senate, tie breaking vote
Takes over the presidency if the President cannot finish term
12th Amendment – voters choose President and VP together
Previous to 1804, the losing candidate became VP

25. White House Office
“Pyramid” model – assistants answer to a hierarchy up to a chief of staff (few top advisors to prez, prez free but isolated)
“Circular” model – direct contact with staff (many top advisors to prez, prez busy but connected)
Significance: determines what aids have the most influence on presidential decisions

26. Executive Office of the President
National Security Council – advises on military and foreign policy
Office of Management and Budget – prepares national budget, largest office
National Economic Council – advises with economic planning

27. The Cabinet 15 major department heads advising president
“Inner cabinet” – Secretary of State, treasury, attorney general, and defense
Leon Panetta – Secretary of Defense
Hillary Clinton – Secretary of State

28. Presidential Disability and Succession
22nd Amendment – limited President to 2 terms, serving no more than 10 years
25th Amendment – If the VP office is vacated, then the President can select a new VP

29. Impeachment
House impeaches, Senate tries the president, Chief Justice presides over the trial
Two presidents impeached, neither removed (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton)

30. Roles of the President Chief of State: Represents the Nation
Chief Executive and Administrator: Enforcement of laws
Chief Legislator: Recommendation of Bills for congressional action
Commander in Chief: Civilian control of the military
Chief Diplomat: Treaties/relations with nations
Party Leader: Shaping the platform