Transcript Presidential Leadership Chapter 9

Presidential
Leadership
Chapter 14
I. The President's Executive Power
A.
Executing the Law
1. Responsible for carrying out the nation's laws.
2. Must carry out laws with which he or she disagrees
3. Has discretion in interpreting the laws and deciding how
vigorously the laws will be enforced.
4. Most of the powers derived from past precedent as well as
congressional authorizations.
B. The Ordinance Power
1. The bureaucracy of the executive branch is under the authority of
the President.
2. Has the authority to issue executive orders, which have the force
of law.
3. Executive orders are necessary to the functioning of the
executive branch.
4. The Federal Bureaucracy enforces such orders.
5. Meant to help execute the laws of the land, BUT can have a huge
effect on the Public.
C. The Appointing Power
1. May appoint a handful of officials on own authority.
2. Most important officers appointed by the President
(ambassadors, judges, and cabinet members) must be
approved by the Senate. **** ONLY the Senate can pass
on, approve, or disapprove nominees.
3. Over half the officials in the federal work force are
selected through civil service examinations, are not under
the direct control of the President.
D. The Removal Power
1. Power to remove people from office has generally been
upheld by Congress
2. Exceptions to the removal at will principles are: all
federal judges and members of independent regulatory
agencies (e.g., Interstate Commerce Commission).
3. CAN remove members of his cabinet, EOP, and members
of White House staff.
II. The Diplomatic and Military Powers
A.
The Power to conduct foreign affairs
1. May negotiate treaties, or international agreements (through the
secretary of state).
•
2.
The Senate must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote before they
become law.
•
3.
**** ONLY the Senate may pass on and ratify or disapprove of treaties.
Congress affords President much more control over matters
involving foreign affairs
•
B.
Treaty: Formal agreement made between or among sovereign states.
Expectation is Congress will control matters involving domestic policy.
Executive Agreements
1. Most routine international agreements are made by executive
agreement
•
2.
pacts between the President and the leaders of foreign countries, or their
designees.
Executive agreements do not require Senate ratification.
C.
The Power of Recognition
1. Have the power to recognize, or acknowledge the legal existence of a
country and establish formal diplomatic relations with foreign states.
2. Diplomatic recognition is a powerful weapon
•
D.
recognition, or the lack of it, often determines the success of a new
foreign government.
The President's Dominance in Military Affairs
1. President shares the war powers with Congress
2. Has almost no limits on his or her role as commander in chief.
3. Usually delegate much of their command authority to military
subordinates while retaining final authority in military matters.
4. Only Congress can declare war
•
Presidents have often used the military without formal declaration of
war.
5.
6.
7.
Numerous undeclared wars in the country's history, Korean,
Vietnam, and "Desert Storm."
The President may use the armed forces, including State militias, to
keep the peace in times of domestic upheaval.
War Powers Resolution Act of 1973. Reaction to the Vietnam War
a) The War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 requires the President to
inform Congress of any commitment of American troops abroad
within 48 hours.
b) It required the President to gain congressional approval if the
commitment lasts longer than 60 days.
c) The constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution has been and
remains in dispute.
III. The Legislative and Judicial Powers
A. The President in the Legislative Field.
1. State of the Union address
2. Suggests Federal budgets.
3. Recommends specific legislation to Congress.
4. Veto legislation (line-item veto has been
declared unconstitutional)
5. Call special sessions of Congress.
6. Adjourn Congress (when the two houses cannot
agree on a date)
7. Executive Orders ????
B.
Judicial Powers
1. Reprieves and Pardons in cases of federal law.
• Reprieve: An official postponement of execution of a
sentence.
• Pardon: Release from the punishment or legal
consequences of a crime, by the President (in a federal
case) or governor (in a State case)
2. Commute, or reduce, sentences or fines (federal)
3. Grant amnesty (federal)
IV. Presidential Character
A.
B.
Eisenhower-orderly
Kennedy-improviser
C.
Johnson-deal maker
D.
Nixon--mistrustful
E.
Ford-genial
F.
Carter-outsider
G.
Reagan-communicator
H.
Bush-hands-on manager
I.
Clinton-focus on details
J.
Bush ???? Iraq – Oil
K.
Obama ???