The Presidency Chapter 8 In this chapter we will learn about The double expectations gap between what Americans want the president to do and what he can deliver The evolution of the presidency from its constitutional origins to the modern presidency The president s struggle for power The organization and functioning of the executive office The role of presidential character The relationship of citizens to the president The double expectations gap Gap between presidential promises and powers of the office Unlimited promises versus limited ability to deliver We demand that candidates promise us everything during campaign President s relatively limited formal powers prevent him from delivering on promises while in office The double expectations gap cont d Head of state vs head of government Head of state the apolitical unifying role of the president as symbolic representative of the whole country Head of government the political role of the president as leader of a political party and chief arbiter of who gets what resources Must please party broker deals work to pass legislation Most nations separate these roles so that symbolic duties won t be contaminated by politics The evolution of the American presidency Framers design for a limited executive Qualifications and conditions for the presidency Chosen by Electoral College modified by 12th Amendment Limited to two four year terms in office 22nd Amendment Natural born citizen resident for 14 years At least 35 years old Vice president succeeds in event of death disability or resignation 20th and 25th Amendments Removal from office by House impeachment and Senate conviction for high crimes and misdemeanors Constitutional powers of the presidency Executive powers Chief administrator head of federal agencies and responsible for the implementation of national policy appoints cabinet members heads of departments and agencies Commander in chief top officer of the country s military establishment and civilian head of American military forces Chief foreign policy maker negotiates treaties makes executive agreements with other countries Head of Bureaucracy White House Staff Office of Management and Budget National Security Council Constitutional powers of the presidency cont d Legislative powers State of the Union address speech given by the president to a joint session of Congress and to the nation announcing the president s agenda Presidential veto president s authority to reject a bill passed by Congress may be overridden only by two thirds majority in each house veto threat often brings congressional compromise Constitutional powers of the presidency cont d Legislative powers cont d Power of the veto Power of signing agreements Authority to sign executive orders Executive orders clarification of congressional policy issued by the president and having the full force of law Power to clarify how to execute law but may fundamentally change law Historically responsible for major policy shifts Constitutional powers of the presidency cont d Judicial powers Judicial appointments nominate judges to the federal courts and justices to Supreme Court Lifetime terms Senatorial courtesy Pardoning power release or excuse person from legal penalties of a crime Often controversial and done at end of term Solicitor general Justice Dept officer who argues government s cases before Supreme Court More cases heard and won than any other litigant The traditional presidency Presidents mostly conformed to founders limited administrative vision of office until the 1930s Presidents expanded office somewhat through inherent powers Inherent powers implied but not stated explicitly in the Constitution The modern presidency 1933 1970s Federal government assumed responsibility for economic well being of citizens during the Depression American role in world expanded Americans expectations of their government grew Power and leadership responsibilities grew The modern presidency today postWatergate and Vietnam to present Congress and media check presidents more aggressively Presidential attempts to increase presidential power the imperial presidency from Nixon to George W Bush Less power but public expectations remain the same Presidential politics the struggle for power Expectations gap high public expectations but limited constitutional authority means presidents rely on informal powers Power to persuade a president s ability to convince Congress other political actors and the public to cooperate with the administration s agenda Presidential politics cont d Use public presence to indirectly lobby other politicians Going public president s strategy of appealing to the public on an issue expecting that public pressure will be brought to bear on other political actors Use media play ratings game cycle effect honeymoon economy newsworthy events Working with Congress directly Shared powers and conflicting policy goals Different constituencies and politics Use of legislative liaison Partisanship and divided government Better success when party controls Congress Managing the presidential establishment Cabinet Members head the executive departments Cabinet members have own views may not be loyal Executive Office of the President EOP Designed to serve president s interests and exert control over executive branch OMB NSC Council of Economic Advisors Managing the presidential establishment cont d White House Office Close relationship to president Chief of staff the person who oversees the operations of all White House staff and controls access to the president Managing the presidential establishment cont d Vice president Used to be chosen to balance ticket had little real power Recent vice presidents have had significant roles First lady Range of roles from traditional to political Presidential character style and personality Classifying presidential character personality Expectation that knowing about presidential personalities will help explain or predict presidential behavior Barber typology based on energy level and orientation toward life provides four types of presidents Presidential character cont d Presidential style image projected by the president that represents how he would like to be perceived at home and abroad Used by presidents to differentiate themselves from other presidents Public perceives differences in these traits Citizens check the president Public approval essential Reelection Influence of legislation going public Combat media and legislative criticism