For Professor Davisson

THE PRESIDENCY

THE PRESIDENCY- Characteristics I

Here is an example on the perceptions on the U.S. Presidents by U.S. scholars:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/02/16/new-rank ing-of-u-s-presidents-puts-lincoln-1-obama-18-kennedy-judged-most-over-rated/

Do you Agree with the Scholars?

Elaborate….

(By the way, President Obama is located in the 18th place).

THE MOST POPULAR PRESIDENTS

According to the Scholars are:

Lincoln, Washington and F. Roosevelt.

TWO SCHOLARLY VIEWS

OF THE PRESIDENCY:

IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY- Refers to the increased authority and decreased accountability of the Presidency.

TETHERED PRESIDENCY- Refers to the Presidency as too constrained to be effectiveY…

IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY

Tethered Presidency

Presidential Roles

EXAMPLES?

Presidential Roles

1. Chief of State.

The President represents the nation in front of foreign nations.

2. Chief Executive

- Powers to Appoint and Remove public officials (usually no more than 2,000); others require the consent of the Senate or are protected by the civil service.

- Power to pardon. One of the few powers that Congress may not limit.

Presidential Roles

- Executive Privilege. The right, claim by presidents, to withhold information from Congress. Yet, the courts have established limits: United States v. Nixon (1974).

3. Chief Diplomat. The President plays a leading role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. And also, the President has the power to make diplomatic appointments. In the case of treaties, the President negotiate with other countries, but need the approval of two-thirds of the Senate (with the exception of executive agreements).

Presidential Roles

4. Commander in Chief. Presidents have the power to command the troops once the Congress has declared war. Yet, the powers of the Presidents have been expanded, especially in the question of declaration of war (assigned by the Constitution to the Congress). In 1973, the Congress passed the War Powers Resolution which gave the President only 60 days to deploy troops outside the country without the consent of the Congress. Presidents have taken advantage of this provision.

Presidential Roles

5. Chief legislator. This task includes:

-Recommending Legislation. Contemporary Presidents are expected to formulate and present a well-defined legislative program (even though such capacity is not explicit in the Constitution).

-Veto Power. Bills passed by Congress are submitted for the President’s signature. The President can veto the bill or sign it. If the President does not take action in 10 days and the Congress is in session, the bill becomes law.

Presidential Roles

THE POWER TO PERSUADE (NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION)

1. Regarding Public Opinion.The President is in a unique position to present his/her agenda directly to the public (at times in an effort to influence the Congress and other institutions).

2. Regarding to Congress. The President can appeal to: party loyalty; staff lobbyists.