President - Sources of Power

Question 1

Formal power via const. - 9

Answer 1

Powers in the constitution

• Signing/Vetoing legislation
• Appointing federal justices
• Receiving ambassadors
• Making treaties
• Granting pardons
• State of the union address
• Com Chief of Army, Navy and AF (flexible const)
• Executing laws
• Special sessions of congress

Question 2

Head of state v Head of government

Answer 2

• State - Pardons, Ambassadors, Summits - Public figure

- Government - Signing, vetoing and execution of legislation, app cabinet, State of union - Political figure

Question 3

Informal sources of power 4

Answer 3

Sources

• Electoral mandate - Convincing win like obama 2008 52.9% stronger legit than Trump’s 46%
• National events - During crisis often pop boost - Bush after 911 boost
• VP and Cabinet - Well connected cabinet members can help pres aims - Hilary helped START treaty 2010
• Executive orders - Trump used to restrict abortion, attack obamacasre and travel ban 49 in 266 days

Question 4

Powers of persuasion

Answer 4

• Strong when popular, weak when not.
• Obama’s success in passing obama care, got bipartisan support as those wanted his popularity too.
• Trumps worse popularity and mandate made his repeal and replace unsuccessful, lack of party support, lowest ever approval ratings

Question 5

Factors affecting power

Answer 5

• Presidential popularity - If constituents support a Pres, their congressperson will support them - Coat-Tails effect. Vise versa. 2014 Mark Pryor opposed obama on gun control to appeal to constituents
• Election cycle - Mid terms might weaken or strengthen. Lame duck then sets in towards end of 2nd term
• National events - Trumps covid, Gun control after shootings. Trump in puerto rico paper towels