© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 12

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-2

Foundations of the Modern Presidency

Article II of the ConstitutionBroadly worded discussion of presidential power

The changing conception of the presidencyJackson and LincolnWhig theory: presidency was limited or restrained officeStewardship theory: strong, assertive presidential role

Theodore RooseveltThe need for a strong presidency

Foreign policy leadershipDomestic policy leadership

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-3

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-4

Choosing the PresidentThe nominating process has grown more democratic over

timeCurrently voters choose the presidential nominees through

electing delegates to national party conventionsInvisible primaryPrimaries (New Hampshire first)Caucuses (Iowa first)

Importance of moneyImportance of momentum

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-5

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-6

Choosing the PresidentThe national party conventions

Formally selects the party’s presidential candidatePresidential candidate selects the vice presidential

candidate.The party decides on a platform.The party heals wounds and divisions from the nominating

campaign.The party presents its candidate to the voters.

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-7

Choosing the PresidentNeed 270 electoral votes in the Electoral CollegeFocus on battleground statesThe importance of moneyThe importance of using the media properly

Internet and televisionConstitutional requirements

At least thirty-five years oldNatural-born citizenU.S. resident for at least 14 years

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-8

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-9

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-10

Staffing the PresidencyThe vice presidentThe Executive Office of the President (EOP)

White House OfficeCommunications Office Office of the Press SecretaryOffice of the Counsel to the PresidentOffice of Legislative Affairs

Office of Management and BudgetNational Security CouncilNational Economic Council

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-11

Staffing the PresidencyCabinet and agency appointees

Cabinet no longer used as an advisory bodyThe problem of control

Most severe with appointees working in the departments and agencies outside of the White House

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-12

Factors in Presidential LeadershipThe force of circumstance

Periods of presidential dominance marked by special set of circumstances: decisive election victory and a compelling national problem

The stage of the president’s termHoneymoon periodDecreased success over time, especially in a second term

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-13

Factors in Presidential LeadershipThe nature of the issue: foreign or domestic

Presidents have greater power with foreign policyCongress offers greater challenges over domestic policy

Relations with CongressSeeking cooperation from Congress

Power of persuasionBenefiting from partisan support in CongressColliding with Congress

ImpeachmentWar Powers Act

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-14

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-15

Factors in Presidential LeadershipPublic support

Presidential approval ratings typically decrease over timeState of the economyForeign crisesThe televised presidency: going public

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-16

© 2015 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 12-17

The Illusion of Presidential Government

Negative press portrayals require the president to try to “spin” the story.

Presidents get too much credit when things go well and too much blame when things go badly.