3.1 Formal sources of presidential power as outlined in the US Constitution and their use

Question 1

What are the official roles of the president?

Answer 1

• Role as the head of state

- Role as the head of government

Question 2

How does the president fulfil the role of the head of state?

Answer 2

• Chief public representative
• Has diplomatic and ceremonial duties - e.g. - receiving visiting dignitaries and other heads of state, or travelling to other countries to represent the US
• Central focus-point in times of national crisis and it is common for them to make speeches or visits in relation to national disasters

Question 3

What is the significance of the president’s role as head of state?

Answer 3

• Doesn’t give any formal powers - but does allow them to exert huge amount of authority - respect that comes from this role - allows them to be seen as a national leader
• Rise of national media - allowed the president to deliver a US-wide message and exert greater influence over public opinion and Congress

E.g. - after 9/11 - Bush seen as symbol of American resolve and pride - but was heavily criticised for not personally visiting areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005

Question 4

How does the fulfil the role of head of government?

Answer 4

‘The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the USA’ - Article II, Section 1 - Constitution

• Absolute control of the executive branch
• Ultimate decision-maker, able to use the executive branch to develop their political goals and use a complex network of departments and agencies to take control of policy-making and put that policy into practice
• Appoints and directs the cabinet

Question 5

How does cabinet work?

Answer 5

• Heads of government departments with the title Secretary - 15 departments
• President can utilise the Executive Office of the President (EXOP) - created 1939 - enormous in size and scope to assist the president in decision making

Question 6

What appointments does the president make?

Answer 6

• Approx. 3000 to federal posts
• Including: nearly 500 Cabinet and sub-Cabinet posts - subject to Senate confirmation, 2,500 additional appointees, mainly within the EXOP

Question 7

What posts require Senate approval?

Answer 7

• Cabinet and junior Cabinet posts
• Ambassadors
• Agency heads - e.g. - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), CIA, FBI
• Members of regulatory commissions - such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• All federal judges (supreme, federal district and circuit courts)

Question 8

How has the president been particularly entrusted with roles relating to foreign policy?

Answer 8

• President = chief diplomat - responsible for relations with other countries, as well as for nominating ambassadors and diplomats
• Constitution makes president chief of armed forces
• However - lack of clarity in Constitution - Congress can declare war

Question 9

Give an example of controversy in relation to debates over who can declare war?

Answer 9

• Obama created controversy over extensive bombing in Libya - led to downfall of the Gaddafi regime - without congressional approval
• Followed a long line of presidents who are apparently stretching their commander in chief powers, including Clinton, who ordered the bombing of Kosovo in 1999