Evaluate the extent to which the President's power is the power to persuade. Flashcards
Introduction - Themes
- Party
- Divided Government
- Separation of Powers
Introduction - Argument
In order to achieve any of their aims the president has to be able to persuade Congress to support their bills, this means the president’s true power is the power to persuade
Disagree - Party - Point
In the era of hyper partisanship it can be said the power of persuasion is not as important as the president can rely on the support from their party
Disagree - Party - Examples
- The Senate voted in favour 53-47 for the nomination of Ketanji Brown-Jackson to the Supreme Court - this was a promise made by Biden and not one Democrat voted against
- The Inflation Reduction Act passed in August 2022 and this represents America’s largest ever investment in combatting climate change. Democrats unanimously supported this in both the House and the Senate
Agree - Party - Point
It would be far too idealistic to assume that the Presdient alway gains uniamous support from their parties. The existence of RINOs and DINOs means the president’s power is definitely the power to persuade
Agree - Party - Examples
- In order to try and pass his Rescue Bill, Biden had to persuade Senator Joe Manchin. He invited Manchin for breakfast in the White House and gave his wife a position on the Appalachian Committee
- Some presidents are unsuccessful. Trump could not persuade Susan Collins to support his Repeal of Obamacare, despite it being an election promise
Disagree - Divided Government - Point
When the President is operating under a united government it is much easier for them to pass legislation, this means their power is not the power to persuade
Disagree - Divided Government - Examples
- Biden was able to pass the Respect for Marriage Act which protected the right to gay marriage throughout the country
- In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022 Biden was able to pass the first major gun-control legislation which prevent the sale of firearms to those deemed dangerous
Agree - Divided Government - Point
Out of the past 30 years, 10.5 of those have been under divided governments. When Congress is divided the power of persuasion from a president is abolutely pivotal
Agree - Divided Government - Examples
- The Democrats lost the Senate when Martha Coakley lost the by-election to replace Ted Kennedy. Obama took to the floor of both chambers to try and persuade them to pass the Affordable Care Act - he was ultimately successful
- Under a united government the power of persuasion is still important, Biden used the bully pulpit and public opinion in order to secure the bipartisan gun reform bill
Disagree - Separation of Powers - Point
As the executive is separate from the leigslature it means that the president has a number of powers, aside from the power to persuade, which is arguably more powerful
Disagree - Separation of Powers - Examples
- The presidnt can issue executive orders; these give the president jurisdiction to achieve their aims. Obama told the EFA what to do as he was unable to pass Cap n Trade
- The power of signing statements can completely alter the meaning of a bill. Bush used it on the Detainee Treatment Act 2006 to add ‘unless the Commander-in-Chief deems it necessary’ referring to torture at Guantanamo Bay
Agree - Separation of Powers - Point
These powers are limited - executive order are short-term, to secure legislation it must be passed in Congress which involves persuasion. TO be able to have many controversial signing statements you must have public support which again involves the power of persuasion
Agree - Separation of Powers - Examples
- Trump passed the most executive orders since WWII, but Biden has overturned the majority of them including the controversial travel ban
- Bush was able to gain support for his signing statement because he had massive public support. After the tragic events of 9/11, Americans became supportive of the War on Terror
