US presidency Flashcards
what are the main formal sources of presidential power?
the role as the head of state
the role as the head of government
the role as commander in chief
what is the roles as head of state?
chief public representative (receiving other heads of state or representing the US as global summits)
consoler in chief (during times of national crisis e.g. George bush 9/11)
granting pardons
what is the role as the head of government
appoint members of the cabinet and EXOP (serve the presidents pleasure)
signing, vetoing and executing legislation
deliver the state of union address to Congress
what is the role as commander in chief?
direct the US military in times of war (however only congress can declare war another country) e.g. Obama done extensive bombing in Libya without congressional approval
quote that outlines the powers of the president
‘the executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of america’ constitution
what are the main informal sources of presidential power?
the electoral mandate executive orders national events the vice-president and cabinet powers of persuasion EXOP
how is electoral mandate a source of presidential power?
a president who wins the election convincingly can often exercise more power than someone who scrapes a win (e.g. Obama won 2008 election with 52.9% of the vote, while trump won 2016 election with 46% of the vote, Trump struggles to achieve legislative victories)
most presidents achieve their most important goals in the first two years of office while their mandate is fresh
how are executive orders a source of presidential power?
directives to a department on how to carry out a law, an implied power of presidents based on their role as head of the executive branch (Trump used executive orders to restrict abortion and attack Obama care, signing 49 orders in 266 days)
how are national events a source of presidential power?
national events can reduce the time the president has to devote to other policies (e.g. financial crisis meant that Obama had to prioritise an economic stimulus package before he could push his initial agenda)
however a national tragedy or global event (e.g. after 9/11 patriotism and unity meant less support for democrats so republicans took control of both chambers of congress in 2002)
how are powers of persuasion a source of presidential power?
personality and leadership skills are important for presidential success. president is bargainer in chief and must bargain with those around him
how is the White House used as a power of persuasion?
used as a ‘bully pulpit’, speaking from it can be a way of placing pressure on those with legislative control
(e.g. Obama used this platform to call for gun control after the San Bernardino shooting in 2015)
how is the congressional cycle used as a power of persuasion?
president can offer inducements to members of Congress by making legislation more palatable with broader policy promises
(e.g. Obama deported more people than any other president to show congress he could be trusted with immigration policy and gain support for his proposed immigration reforms)
how is the vice-president and the cabinet a source of presidential power?
individuals in the Cabinet can lend the president power if they have popularity.
cabinet officials can undertake work and roles of the president as a representative. (e.g. VP Biden’s popularity and connections were important to Obama’s foreign policy)
what is included within the EXOP?
national security council (NSC)
office of management and budget (OMB)
White House office (WHO)
what is the executive office of the president?
agencies that work within or directly for the White House, referred to as ‘the west wing’ and contains the presidents closest advisers
