Presidency Flashcards
9 powers of the president
PANS PANVN
- Propose legislation
- Act as chief executive
- Nominate federal judges
- Sign legislation
- Pardon
- Act as commander in chief
- Negotiate treaties
- Veto legislation
- Nominate executive branch nominations
EXOP
- Established 1939 with only 4 offices
- White house office, Office of management and budget OMB, National security council NSC
OMB
three principles :
- Advise the president on allocation of federal funds in the annual budget
- Oversee spending of all federal departments
- Clearing house for all legislative initiatives coming from the president
NSC
- Headed by national security advisor
The problem of EXOP - Cabinet rivalries
- Cabinet members often work some geographical distance from the white house
- Some members of teh cabinet rarely get to see the president whereas EXOP see him daily
- Cabinet members may feel out of loop with president unlike EXOP
- EXOP members only work with president but cabinet members have divided loyalties
What is the president trying to get congress to do
- Pass legislative proposals
- Confirm his executive and judicial nominations
- Ratify his treaties
Why does a president need to persuade congress to support him
- Powers are checked by congress
- His party may control only one house
Imperial presidency
Characterised by abuse of power, secrecy and illegality
Nixon accused of this
Imperilled presidency
Characterised by congressional reassertiveness and presidential weakness
Ford accused of this
The post-imperial presidency
Characterised by presidential reassertiveness but power that is often limited by a new era of hyper partisanship
Trump and Reagan accused of this
The constitution gives the president certain powers in foreign policy e.g.
- Act as commander in chief for the army
- Negotiate treaties with foreign powers
- To make certain appointments e.g. Secretary of state
Does the president control foreign policy : YES
- Commander in chief
- Power to negotiate foreign treaties
- Power to make appointments
- Can set the tone for foreign policy
Does the president control foreign policy : NO
- Congress has power of purse
- Only congress can declare war
- Senate has ratification power of appointments
- Congress has the power of investigation
Congress checks on presidential power
- Amend, delay, reject presidents legislative proposals
- Override president veto
- Refuse to ratify treaties (senate)
- Impeach president
Supreme Court checks on presidential power
- Declare presidents actions as unconstitutional
Pressure groups checks on presidential power
- Mobilise publics opinion
Voters checks on presidential power
- Midterm elections, as well in re-election
State government checks on presidential power
- President often reliant upon state government to enact policies
FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS : ELECTORAL MANDATE
- Percentage of popular vote in last election
- Bush and Trump both lost the popular vote but gained the office
FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS :
PUBLIC APPROVAL
- The higher the presidents public approval rating, the more political power
- Donald Trump 36% in first year, Reagan 62% first year
FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS :
FIRST/SECOND TERM
- President is more likely to be successful in first 2 years that in last 2 years
FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS : UNIFIED/DIVIDED GOVT
More likely to succeed if party controls both house, exceptions include TRUMP 2017
