The Power of the American Presidency PDF

The Power of the American Presidency Constitutional Qualifications ​ Must be at least 35 years old. ​ Must have lived in the United States for 14 years. ​ Must be a natural born citizen. Presidential Benefits ​ 400,000 tax-free salary ​ 50,000/year expense account ​ $100,000/year...

The Power of the American Presidency Constitutional Qualifications ​ Must be at least 35 years old. ​ Must have lived in the United States for 14 years. ​ Must be a natural born citizen. Presidential Benefits ​ 400,000 tax-free salary ​ 50,000/year expense account ​ $100,000/year travel expenses ​ The White House Secret Service Presidential Roles Head of State ​ Represents America Chief Executive ​ Make the big final decisions. ​ Take the blame if something bad happens. ​ The President's job is to run the country like it is a big corporation. Commander-in-Chief ​ Commands the military. ​ Only congress can declare war but after that you make all the decisions. Chief Legislator ​ Legislation means laws. ​ Any laws made during their terms are seen as theirs whether it is successful or not. Political Party Leader ​ We expect the president to be the leader of their political party. ​ They basically represent the whole political party. Crisis Manager ​ After a horrific event the president is expected to help them. ​ When a crisis hit, did they do anything to help? Moral Persuader ​ Everyone is going to be following you everywhere and listening to you. ​ Did you influence the people to do something good or bad? Chief Diplomat ​ The president appoints diplomats so they could go to different countries. ​ Make treaties with other countries. ​ Become allies with other countries. ​ Their job is to negotiate and represent us to different countries. Chief Economist ​ Ever since 1930 we have blamed/praised presidents for good or bad economies. ​ The President is seen as the one controlling the economy even though he’s not. Formal Powers of the President ​ Meaning Enumerated powers of the Presidency (Article ll of the Constitution) Commander in Chief ​ Commander-in-Chief of all of the militaries and the National Guard of each State. ​ Commissions all officers ( President gets to pick the generals and admirals etc and can fire them) Chief Executive ​ “Faithfully execute” the laws. ​ Grant pardons (when you’re in jail and the crime doesn’t exist anymore) for federal offenses except for cases of impeachment. Ex:  Pardon the January 6th people who are in jail and this is only for federal laws. ​ Nominate judges of the Supreme Court and all other officers of the U.S. with consent of the Senate. ​ Fill vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate. Foreign Affairs ​ Appoint ambassadors, ministers, and consuls. ​ Make treaties subject to Senate confirmation. ​ Receive ambassadors. Role in Legislation ​ Give a State of the Union address to Congress. ​ Recommend “measures” to the Congress. ​ Upon “extraordinary occasions” convene both houses of Congress. Informal Powers ​ Those powers that are not explicitly written in the Constitution. ​ Similar to “necessary and proper” powers of Congress. ​ In the modern era (since 1933), the President’s informal powers may be significantly more powerful that his formal powers. Executive Orders ​ Orders issued by the President that carry the force of law. ​ Clinton’s “Don’t task don’t tell” gays in the military policy. ​ FDR’s internment of Japanese Americans. ​ GWB tried suspected terrorists in military tribunals. Executive Agreement ​ International agreements, usually related to trade, made by a president that has the force of a treaty; does NOT need Senate approval. ​ Jefferson’s purchase of Louisiana in 1803. ​ OWB announced cuts in the nuclear arsenal, but not in a treaty; usually trade agreements between US and other nations. Executive Privelege  ​ Claim by a president that he has the right to decide that the national interest will be better served if certain information is withheld from the public, including the Courts and Congress. ​ United States v. Nixon (1973) -- presidents do NOT have unqualified executive privilege (Nixon Watergate tapes) Presidential Staff Management Structures ​ There are three common structures that the President uses to manage their daily affairs. ​ Models: ○​ Pyramid ○​ Circular (Hub-And-Spoke) ○​ Ad Hoc Pyramid Structure ​ Strict chain-of-command, can’t skip the levels. ​ Chief of Staff has lots of power: responsible for executing President’s wishes, can’t get anywhere without them. ​ Advantage: Allows President to not have to manage staff directly. ​ Disadvantage: President may not get all of the information they need or want. Circular (Hub-and-Spoke) Structure ​ The President more directly controls the administration. ​ Advisors report their findings to the President directly, access is granted more openly. ​ Advantage: “Buck stops” with President. ​ Disadvantage: Volume of information and voices can be overwhelming. Ad Hoc Structure  ​ Committees, task forces, special advisors are empowered. ​ Delegates major tasks to these task forces and other members of the staff. Often work outside of Cabinet. ​ Advantage: Direct advice, specialized task forces that can focus on policy initiatives. ​ Disadvantage: Bypasses Cabinet, Chief of Staff, possibility for conflict. Senior Staff ​ Among the most powerful people in the country. ​ Very few were confirmed by the Senate, most “at the pleasure of” the President. ​ Guide/ help the President, but also “check” them in their own right and have sway over massive decisions. Executive Staff ​ Still powerful and influential, but have less day-to-day influence on the President. ​ Examples: ○​ Director of National Intelligence ○​ Council of Economic Advisers ○​ Office of Management and Budget ○​ Office of Personnel Management ○​ US Trade Representative Cabinet Officials ​ Despite being more well known than the Senior/Executive Staff, not the most powerful. ​ Heads of a bureaucratic department acting on behalf of and “by the pleasure of” the President. ​ Serve more as advisors and figureheads, sometimes having more influence depending on the specific Department or Secretary.