ch. 13 - the presidency

The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President

Chief of StateChief of StateCeremonial head of the Ceremonial head of the

countrycountryActs as the “face of the U.S.”Acts as the “face of the U.S.”Welcomes foreign dignitariesWelcomes foreign dignitariesFor example…For example…


Chief ExecutiveChief ExecutiveEnsures that the nation’s Ensures that the nation’s

laws are enforced and laws are enforced and carried outcarried out

Head of the executive branchHead of the executive branch


Chief AdministratorChief Administrator Head of the entire bureaucracy – people Head of the entire bureaucracy – people

who work for the government to who work for the government to implement policiesimplement policies

Appoints everyone in the top levels of Appoints everyone in the top levels of the bureaucracy, with approval of a the bureaucracy, with approval of a majority of the Senatemajority of the Senate

May also fire any appointed personMay also fire any appointed person does not need Senate approval for firingdoes not need Senate approval for firing


Chief DiplomatChief Diplomat Develops the nation’s foreign policy Develops the nation’s foreign policy

stancesstancesTop advisor on foreign policy is the Top advisor on foreign policy is the

Secretary of StateSecretary of State Spokesperson to the rest of the Spokesperson to the rest of the

worldworld Meets and befriends leaders of Meets and befriends leaders of

foreign countriesforeign countries


Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-ChiefTop commander of all Top commander of all

branches of the armed forcesbranches of the armed forcesAll are subject to his All are subject to his

immediate controlimmediate controlCan wage undeclared warsCan wage undeclared wars


Chief LegislatorChief LegislatorProposes Laws to CongressProposes Laws to CongressChooses whether to sign bills Chooses whether to sign bills

into law or veto theminto law or veto themCan also issue Can also issue executive orders executive orders

– changes in executive branch – changes in executive branch policy that have the effect of lawpolicy that have the effect of law


Chief of PartyChief of Party He is the undisputed leader and face of He is the undisputed leader and face of

the party that helped elect himthe party that helped elect him Helps raise money and campaign for Helps raise money and campaign for

other party membersother party members The “coattail effect” – Congressional The “coattail effect” – Congressional

candidates from the party “ride his candidates from the party “ride his coattails” into victorycoattails” into victory


Chief CitizenChief CitizenWork to help the public as a Work to help the public as a

whole, rather than private whole, rather than private interestsinterests

Represent what all American Represent what all American people should be (in terms of people should be (in terms of character)character)

QualificationsQualificationsWHAT DOES IT

TAKE TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL

MAN IN THE WORLD?!?!

QualificationsQualifications

35 years old35 years old Natural Born U.S. CitizenNatural Born U.S. Citizen

Could be born in another country to Could be born in another country to an American parent (jus sanguinis)an American parent (jus sanguinis)

Or born on U.S. soil (jus solis)Or born on U.S. soil (jus solis) Resident of the U.S. for 14 yearsResident of the U.S. for 14 years

TermsTerms

Pres. serves a 4 year termPres. serves a 4 year term Limited to 2 terms by the 22Limited to 2 terms by the 22ndnd

AmendmentAmendment If V.P. takes over less than half of If V.P. takes over less than half of

President’s term, it doesn’t count President’s term, it doesn’t count against himagainst him

Thus, most possible years = 10Thus, most possible years = 10

$ Perks $$ Perks $Salary of $400,000 per year Salary of $400,000 per year

for lifefor life$50,000 in expenses$50,000 in expensesFree medical care for lifeFree medical care for lifeLive in the White HouseLive in the White HouseUse of Air Force One, Marine Use of Air Force One, Marine

One, other transportationOne, other transportation

Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession Constitution originally only provided that Constitution originally only provided that

when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. would become “acting president”would become “acting president” Didn’tDidn’t address: address:

Is V.P. now president forever?Is V.P. now president forever? Does “acting president” have the same power as Does “acting president” have the same power as

president?president? What if the V.P. leaves office?What if the V.P. leaves office? Who decides if the president is “unable”Who decides if the president is “unable” How is it determined when the president is “able” How is it determined when the president is “able”

again?again? All of this was fixed by the 25All of this was fixed by the 25 thth Amendment Amendment

(1967)(1967)

Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession

If president dies, resigns, is If president dies, resigns, is impeached, or is temporarily impeached, or is temporarily incapable, succession occursincapable, succession occurs Pres. can be declared temporarily Pres. can be declared temporarily

incapable by himself, or V.P. with a incapable by himself, or V.P. with a majority of the Cabinet (25majority of the Cabinet (25thth Amendment)Amendment)

Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession

What if more than just the president What if more than just the president dies, or is removed from office?dies, or is removed from office?

Order of Succession – set by Order of Succession – set by Presidential Succession Act of 1947Presidential Succession Act of 1947 Vice PresidentVice President Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House President Pro-TemporePresident Pro-Tempore Secretary of StateSecretary of State Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the

order they were createdorder they were created

Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession Impeachment – Explained in pieces of Articles I Impeachment – Explained in pieces of Articles I

and II, on grounds of “treason, bribery, or other high and II, on grounds of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”crimes and misdemeanors” House – “sole power of impeachment”, brings charges House – “sole power of impeachment”, brings charges

with a majority votewith a majority vote Brought against 2 presidents – Andrew Johnson, Bill ClintonBrought against 2 presidents – Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton

Senate – “sole power to try all impeachments”, convicts Senate – “sole power to try all impeachments”, convicts and removes with a 2/3 voteand removes with a 2/3 vote

Never successfully removed a presidentNever successfully removed a president

Chief Justice – presides over trial of the presidentChief Justice – presides over trial of the president

The floor of the Senate during Clinton’s Impeachment TrialThe floor of the Senate during Clinton’s Impeachment Trial

But what if I die?!?!

Vice-Presidential SuccessionVice-Presidential Succession

If V.P. dies or resigns, If V.P. dies or resigns, president picks a new onepresident picks a new one

Majority of both houses of Majority of both houses of Congress must approveCongress must approve

What Does the Veep Do?What Does the Veep Do?2 2 ImportantImportant Jobs (sarcasm) Jobs (sarcasm)

Take over if the Pres. diesTake over if the Pres. diesPreside over the SenatePreside over the SenateThese 2 jobs take no time, These 2 jobs take no time,

and allowed Dick Cheney to and allowed Dick Cheney to spend time shooting old men spend time shooting old men in the facein the face

So What do They Really Do?So What do They Really Do?

They do They do whatever the whatever the president lets president lets them dothem do

Reagan didn’t let me do anything.

How to Pick a V.P.How to Pick a V.P.Balance the Ticket – pick a Balance the Ticket – pick a

guy with qualities that will draw guy with qualities that will draw voters you wouldn’tvoters you wouldn’t

Example of Balancing the TicketExample of Balancing the Ticket

President ReaganPresident Reagan From California From California

(West Coast)(West Coast) Very conservativeVery conservative Idea man – not Idea man – not

concerned with concerned with detailsdetails

Vice-President BushVice-President Bush From Connecticut From Connecticut

(East Coast)(East Coast) Moderate conservativeModerate conservative Technocrat – obsessed Technocrat – obsessed

with nuance/detailswith nuance/details

As Joe Biden introduces himself As Joe Biden introduces himself at a campaign event in central at a campaign event in central Missouri, he takes a moment Missouri, he takes a moment

to recognize the achievements to recognize the achievements of a dedicated public servant of a dedicated public servant who happens to be paraplegic who happens to be paraplegic

and wheelchair-bound.and wheelchair-bound.

Presidential PowersPresidential Powers

Article II offers a vague definition of the Article II offers a vague definition of the president’s powerpresident’s power Section 3 - “Take care that the laws be Section 3 - “Take care that the laws be

faithfully executed,” for examplefaithfully executed,” for example Has allowed substantial growth in presidential Has allowed substantial growth in presidential

powerpower


National Security PowersNational Security Powers Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces

(expressed in Article II)(expressed in Article II) Power to wage undeclared wars (implied from Power to wage undeclared wars (implied from

Commander-in-Chief power)Commander-in-Chief power) Power to negotiate treaties Power to negotiate treaties Power to make executive agreementsPower to make executive agreements


Legislative Powers of the PresidentLegislative Powers of the President Power to sign or veto billsPower to sign or veto bills

Signing statements – written explanation of how Signing statements – written explanation of how the president intends to implement a law he signsthe president intends to implement a law he signs

Veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both Veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congresshouses of Congress

Power to propose laws to CongressPower to propose laws to Congress Power to issue executive orders – directives Power to issue executive orders – directives

with the effect of lawwith the effect of law Power to call special sessions of CongressPower to call special sessions of Congress


Judicial Powers of the PresidentJudicial Powers of the President Clemency powers (apply only in federal crimes)Clemency powers (apply only in federal crimes)

Pardon – complete forgiveness of an individual’s crimePardon – complete forgiveness of an individual’s crime Ford’s pardon of Nixon after WatergateFord’s pardon of Nixon after Watergate

Amnesty – complete forgiveness to all who violated a lawAmnesty – complete forgiveness to all who violated a law Jimmy Carter to draft dodgers, Reagan to illegal immigrantsJimmy Carter to draft dodgers, Reagan to illegal immigrants

Commutation – reducing a criminal sentenceCommutation – reducing a criminal sentence George W. Bush reduced Scooter Libby’s sentence to 1 day George W. Bush reduced Scooter Libby’s sentence to 1 day

after the “Plamegate” scandalafter the “Plamegate” scandal Reprieve – delay the execution of a sentenceReprieve – delay the execution of a sentence

2 married Enron execs with children, mother was reprieved for 2 married Enron execs with children, mother was reprieved for 10 years so she could raise the kids while father was in prison10 years so she could raise the kids while father was in prison


Judicial Powers of the PresidentJudicial Powers of the President Power to appoint judges and justicesPower to appoint judges and justices

must have “advice and consent” from Senate must have “advice and consent” from Senate (majority vote)(majority vote)

What Determines Whether a What Determines Whether a President is Effective or Not?President is Effective or Not?

Richard Neustadt’s Theory of Richard Neustadt’s Theory of Presidential Power:Presidential Power:The power of the presidency the The power of the presidency the

power to power to persuade.persuade.

Neustadt’s 5 ConstituenciesNeustadt’s 5 Constituencies

Effective Presidents successfully persuade Effective Presidents successfully persuade the following 5 groups to back their the following 5 groups to back their agenda:agenda: The PublicThe Public His PartyHis Party The BureaucracyThe Bureaucracy CongressCongress Foreign NationsForeign Nations

Neustadt rates presidents based on how Neustadt rates presidents based on how they do with each of these groupsthey do with each of these groups

Running the Government:Running the Government:The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

The CabinetThe Cabinet Presidential advisors, not in ConstitutionPresidential advisors, not in Constitution Top executives of the 15 Federal Top executives of the 15 Federal

Departments, confirmed by the SenateDepartments, confirmed by the Senate Generally political appointments, not Generally political appointments, not

necessarily personally loyal to the presidentnecessarily personally loyal to the president

Figure 13.1


The Executive Office of the President (EOP)The Executive Office of the President (EOP) Made up of several policymaking and advisory bodiesMade up of several policymaking and advisory bodies Three principle groups: NSC, CEA, OMBThree principle groups: NSC, CEA, OMB


The White House StaffThe White House Staff Chief aides and staff for the president - some Chief aides and staff for the president - some

are more for the White House than the are more for the White House than the presidentpresident

Presidents rely on their information and effortPresidents rely on their information and effort Most likely to be personally loyal to the Most likely to be personally loyal to the

president, and don’t require Senate president, and don’t require Senate confirmationconfirmation

Presidential SelectionPresidential Selection

Constitution says – “president Constitution says – “president shall be chosen by a number of shall be chosen by a number of electors”electors”

These electors are the Electoral These electors are the Electoral CollegeCollege

Original PlanOriginal Plan

Each elector gets 2 votesEach elector gets 2 votes11stst Place becomes president Place becomes president22ndnd Place becomes vice- Place becomes vice-

presidentpresidentCrisis in Election of 1800Crisis in Election of 1800

The Election of 1800The Election of 1800Political Parties had just Political Parties had just

appearedappearedJefferson and Burr – Jefferson and Burr –

Democratic RepublicansDemocratic RepublicansAdams and Pinckney – Adams and Pinckney –

FederalistsFederalistsEach elector casts his 2 ballots Each elector casts his 2 ballots

for his party’s 2 candidatesfor his party’s 2 candidates

The Election of 1800The Election of 1800

Final Result:Final Result:Thomas Jefferson - 73Thomas Jefferson - 73Aaron Burr - 73Aaron Burr - 73John Adams - 65John Adams - 65Charles Pinckney - 64Charles Pinckney - 64John Jay - 1John Jay - 1

The Election of 1800The Election of 1800

Burr had run intending to Burr had run intending to become Jefferson’s Vice, then become Jefferson’s Vice, then realized he had a legitimate realized he had a legitimate claim to win!claim to win!

Took 36 votes in the House of Took 36 votes in the House of Reps. to settle the dispute and Reps. to settle the dispute and pick Jeffersonpick Jefferson

The 12The 12thth Amendment Amendment

Requires Requires Electoral College Electoral College to case separate to case separate ballots for ballots for president and president and vice-presidentvice-president

Darn straight, they did.

ch. 13 - the presidency

Documents

presidentchief of partyhe

presidentchief citizenwork

order of succession

executive branch policy

executive branchthe

effect of law

nations laws

american people