1. The Presidency: Conventional Wisdom Redefined
Chapter 7

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. Presidential Support by Race

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