1. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (Cont’d) June 16 th, 2003

2. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images –electoral mandate

3. Presidential Election Results

4. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images –electoral mandate –cycle of presidential popularity

5. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Policy Areas...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Policy Areas...Different Presidential Images –domestic policy vs. foreign policy the main formal checks on presidential power tend to operate in the domestic realmthe main formal checks on presidential power tend to operate in the domestic realm –Congress –Supreme Court –military action and presidential popularity

7. The “Power” of the Presidency? Power to Propose, Power to OpposePower to Propose, Power to Oppose –ability of president to propose ability of president to enact legislationability of president to enact legislation –ability of president to oppose

8. The “Power” of the Presidency? Different Times/Presidents...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Times/Presidents...Different Presidential Images Different Policy Areas...Different Presidential ImagesDifferent Policy Areas...Different Presidential Images Power to Propose, Power to OpposePower to Propose, Power to Oppose

9. Main Point! the power of presidency is...the power of presidency is... –variable and fluid –circumscribed the different images of presidential power mirror the tension between mass politics and concern for individual rights and limited governmentthe different images of presidential power mirror the tension between mass politics and concern for individual rights and limited government tension among different democratic models is evident in the paradoxical public views of the presidencytension among different democratic models is evident in the paradoxical public views of the presidency

10. Paradoxes of the Presidency 1. Demand strong leadership/Suspicious of strong leadership1. Demand strong leadership/Suspicious of strong leadership 2. Want president to represent “common” people; yet want president to be a heroic figure2. Want president to represent “common” people; yet want president to be a heroic figure 3.Want a president that is decent, just, caring, compassionate; yet want the president to be ruthless in situations that require it.3.Want a president that is decent, just, caring, compassionate; yet want the president to be ruthless in situations that require it.

11. Paradoxes of the Presidency 4. Want president to be “above politics”; yet an effective president must be highly political.4. Want president to be “above politics”; yet an effective president must be highly political. 5. Want a president that can unify diverse people and interests; yet, want a president that will take firm stands on controversial issues (that necessarily divide people)5. Want a president that can unify diverse people and interests; yet, want a president that will take firm stands on controversial issues (that necessarily divide people)

12. Paradoxes of the Presidency 6. Want president to provide vision, leadership; yet, want president to respond to the will of the people.6. Want president to provide vision, leadership; yet, want president to respond to the will of the people. 7. Want powerful, self-confident leadership; suspicious of leaders who seem arrogant or view themselves as infallible and/or above criticism.7. Want powerful, self-confident leadership; suspicious of leaders who seem arrogant or view themselves as infallible and/or above criticism.

13. Paradoxes of the Presidency 8. What it takes to become president are not necessarily the traits need to be president.8. What it takes to become president are not necessarily the traits need to be president. 9. Presidents are strong in some areas and weak in others -- leads public to a clash of expectations9. Presidents are strong in some areas and weak in others -- leads public to a clash of expectations

20. THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

21. Inside Congress -- The Two Houses Why Two Houses?Why Two Houses? –different basis of representation representation of constituencies versus representation of statesrepresentation of constituencies versus representation of states different weight of states in each housedifferent weight of states in each house

22. Inside Congress -- The Two Houses Why Two Houses?Why Two Houses? –different basis of representation –different electoral time-frame House of RepresentativeHouse of Representative –constant campaign mode – responsive to current political demands SenateSenate –more removed from immediate political pressure –can take long-term view

23. Inside Congress -- The Two Houses Why Two Houses?Why Two Houses? –different basis of representation –different electoral time-frame –each plays a different role and represents different interests

24. Inside Congress -- The Two Houses House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives –unique powers introducing money billsintroducing money bills SenateSenate –unique powers ratification of presidential appointmentsratification of presidential appointments ratification of treatiesratification of treaties both play a role in routine law-makingboth play a role in routine law-making

25. The Dynamics of Congressional Law-Making Inside CongressInside Congress –Within Each House –Between the Houses Congress and the PresidentCongress and the President

26. Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives Factors Effecting Voting in the House of RepresentativesFactors Effecting Voting in the House of Representatives –party influence –district influence –ideological influence –special interest influence

27. Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives weak party disciplineweak party discipline –individual members are more open to outside influence responsiveresponsive can be controlled by outside interestscan be controlled by outside interests –importance of log-rolling broad benefits, compromisebroad benefits, compromise hard to get things donehard to get things done sometimes described as briberysometimes described as bribery

28. Inside Congress -- Inside the House of Representatives committee systemcommittee system –important –dominated according to seniority

29. Inside Congress -- Inside the Senate the Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial Privilegesthe Senate Atmosphere -- Senatorial Privileges Cloture and the FilibusterCloture and the Filibuster the committee systemthe committee system

30. Inside Congress -- Between the Houses A Congress Divided?A Congress Divided? Differences between the HousesDifferences between the Houses –electoral time-frames –representational concerns –dynamics of operation balancing different interestsbalancing different interests

31. Congress and the President Formal Powers of CongressFormal Powers of Congress United vs. Divided GovernmentUnited vs. Divided Government –frequency and causes of divided government –effects of divided government The President and His PartyThe President and His Party The President and the “Other” PartyThe President and the “Other” Party