Hats/Roles of the President Flashcards
Chief Executive
Faithfully executes the law and must run the federal government.
– Directs millions of federal employees that work for the executive branch
– Oversees spending of trillions of dollars on the budget
Chief Legislator
Sets a legislative agenda (typically during the SOTU) by suggesting that Congress act on certain legislation.
Chief of Party
Seen as the ‘head’ of the political party and highly dependent on their own party to move legislation forward in Congress
– Provides amenities to party members….photos with pres, rides on Air Force 1 and a variety of other favors
– Speaks at campaign events
Veto
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
Preventing a bill from becoming law
Belongs to Chief legislator and a formal power.
Pocket Veto
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
If the Congress’ session ends before the 10 days are up, the president can do nothing and the bill will die.
Belongs to Chief legislator and a informal power.
Signing Statements
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
- Written statement expressing president’s view on a bill
- Express intention not to enforce legislation considered unconstitutional
- Separation of powers issue?
Belongs to Chief legislator and a informal power.
Bargaining & Persuasion
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
Presidential legislative skills in working with Congress
- Personal appeals
- Trading support on policies or providing specific benefits for representatives and senators
Belongs to Chief legislator and a informal power.
Executive Order
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
- A rule or regulation issued by the President that does not require Congressional approval but carries the weight of law
- Can be challenged in court
- Can be easily overturned by next president
- Often criticized for bypassing Congress Separation of Powers?
Belongs to Chief legislator and a formal power.
Chief Diplomat
- Relationship with other countries
- Create peace
-Work with the United Nations - Appoints ambassadors
Treaties
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
Agreements with other countries (must be approved by ⅔ vote in Senate)
Belongs to Chief Diplomat and a formal power.
Executive Agreement
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
Agreements with other nations that does not require Senate approval.
Belongs to Chief Diplomat and a informal power.
Chief Citizen
- Model citizen? that holds up American ideals and beliefs
- Leads country through disasters
- Inform, inspire and comfort America
– Cuban Missile Crisis
– 9/11
– Modern communications technology
Commander in Chief
- In charge of the military
– The President can use the military whenever they want
– In charge of 1.5 million soldiers
– Has access to nuclear arsenal…football codes
War Powers Act
(who does this belong to)
- Are we giving too much power to one individual?
- Congress wanted some power of the president in times of war.
In response to Vietnam (Commander in Chief)
– President must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops
– Withdrawal of troops after 60 days if Congress has not officially declared war or granted an
extension
– Congress at anytime can pass a concurrent resolution ending the war
– President’s have argued the law is a violation of their constitutional powers
– Conflicts with Congress constantly arise
– Congress has the “power of the purse” to fund actions oversea
Chief of State
- Ceremonial head of the government
- Greet foreign leaders
– Represents US at functions both at home and abroad
– Promotes national spirit
The Cabinet
- People picked by the President to head the various departments such as Education, Energy, Homeland Security, etc.
- There are no specific requirements for these positions.
- Has become less of an advisory position these days because the Secretaries tend to seek to protect their department above all else.”
Bully Pulpit
Pitch ideas directly to the American people, typically in a persuasive way.
- Trump’s use of twitter
- FDR Fireside chats
Honeymoon Period
Best time to send bill to Congress
Mandate
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
- President wins overwhelming (or maybe not so overwhelming) it is taken as a message that the electorate approves of the proposed policies
- Lends legitimacy and credibility to demands of Congress
Belongs to Chief Legislator and a informal power.
Presidential Coattails
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
Voters vote for a congressional candidate just because they are the same party as a popular president.
Belongs to Chief of Party and a informal power.
Executive Privilege
(also who does this power belong to and if it’s formal or informal)
- The ability of the President and their staff to maintain confidential, as well as open and honest, communications that may impact governments ability to function
- Informal Power
- US v Nixon
- Controversial - where is the line between helping the executive branch run effectively and withholding information from the public?
