By Loren Miller

By Loren MillerBy Loren Miller

THE PRESIDENCYTHE PRESIDENCY

““No man will ever bring out of the No man will ever bring out of the Presidency the reputation which Presidency the reputation which carries him into it. To myself, carries him into it. To myself, personally, it brings nothing but personally, it brings nothing but increasing drudgery and daily increasing drudgery and daily loss of friends.”loss of friends.”

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson


““As to the presidency, the two As to the presidency, the two happiest days of my life were happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it.”office and my surrender of it.”

Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren


““After the White House what is After the White House what is there to do but drink!”there to do but drink!”

Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce


After Vice President Truman heard After Vice President Truman heard about the death of Franklin D. about the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, he said to a small Roosevelt, he said to a small collection of reporters:collection of reporters:

““Boys, if you ever pray, pray for Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now.”me now.”


““All the president is, is a glorified All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”anyway.”

Harry TrumanHarry Truman

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYChief Clerk: 1789-1836Chief Clerk: 1789-1836

• Presidents perform administrative duties Presidents perform administrative duties that Congress requests.that Congress requests.• Government is best that governs the least.Government is best that governs the least.• Presidents focused their attention on foreign Presidents focused their attention on foreign

affairs while Congress focused on domestic affairs while Congress focused on domestic matters.matters.

• Madison found himself unable to fund the War of Madison found himself unable to fund the War of 1812 and unable to raise an army.1812 and unable to raise an army.

• The Monroe DoctrineThe Monroe Doctrine• Congress forged key compromises on slavery and Congress forged key compromises on slavery and

paid of most of the national debt.paid of most of the national debt.• Andrew Jackson, an outsider, grabs the reins of Andrew Jackson, an outsider, grabs the reins of

government and remakes the presidency.government and remakes the presidency.• Forced out Cabinet members who disagreed with Forced out Cabinet members who disagreed with

him.him.• Introduced the spoils system.Introduced the spoils system.

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYWeakened Presidency: 1837-1900Weakened Presidency: 1837-1900

• Andrew Jackson’s popularity and energetic Andrew Jackson’s popularity and energetic personality raised the profile of the office. personality raised the profile of the office. However, those who followed Jackson (with However, those who followed Jackson (with some exceptions) reverted back to “chief some exceptions) reverted back to “chief clerk.” Exceptions include:clerk.” Exceptions include:• James Polk: westward expansion; used his power James Polk: westward expansion; used his power

as commander in chief to instigate war with as commander in chief to instigate war with Mexico; acquired California, Arizona and Oregon Mexico; acquired California, Arizona and Oregon Territory.Territory.

• Abraham Lincoln: blockaded southern ports; Abraham Lincoln: blockaded southern ports; suspended the writ of suspended the writ of habeas corpushabeas corpus; spent money ; spent money without Congressional approval; raised an army without Congressional approval; raised an army without Congressional approval. without Congressional approval.

• Abraham Lincoln reinterpreted Article II into a Abraham Lincoln reinterpreted Article II into a source of executive authority during emergencies.source of executive authority during emergencies.

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYThe Modern Presidency: 1901-1945The Modern Presidency: 1901-1945

• As the United States industrialized and As the United States industrialized and became a significant player in an became a significant player in an interconnected world, the power of the interconnected world, the power of the presidency grew accordingly.presidency grew accordingly.• Theodore Roosevelt used the office as a “bully Theodore Roosevelt used the office as a “bully

pulpit.” He wanted to be “the bride at every pulpit.” He wanted to be “the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral.”wedding and the corpse at every funeral.”

• Bold assertions of presidential power: The Bold assertions of presidential power: The Stewardship TheoryStewardship Theory

• Breaks up corporate monopoliesBreaks up corporate monopolies• Initiates a Panamanian revolutionInitiates a Panamanian revolution• Wins a Nobel Peace Prize (mediating Japan/Russia) Wins a Nobel Peace Prize (mediating Japan/Russia)

settlementsettlement• Sends fleet around the worldSends fleet around the world• First president to travel to a foreign countryFirst president to travel to a foreign country

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYThe Modern Presidency: 1901-1945The Modern Presidency: 1901-1945

• Woodrow Wilson achieved some significant Woodrow Wilson achieved some significant successes and suffered some great failures.successes and suffered some great failures.

• Achieved industrial reformsAchieved industrial reforms• Led the United States into World War ILed the United States into World War I• Led efforts to create a League of NationsLed efforts to create a League of Nations

• Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New DealFranklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal• Permanent bureaucraciesPermanent bureaucracies• Social Security and unemployment insuranceSocial Security and unemployment insurance• Use of the media to communicate directly with the public—Use of the media to communicate directly with the public—

fireside chatsfireside chats• Lend-Lease Program prior to U.S. involvement in WWII Lend-Lease Program prior to U.S. involvement in WWII

(without consent of Congress)(without consent of Congress)• Gave Britain 50 destroyers in exchange for rights to build Gave Britain 50 destroyers in exchange for rights to build

military based on British territory (without consent of military based on British territory (without consent of Congress)Congress)

• The national government became the focus of powerThe national government became the focus of power

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYImperial Presidency Under Attack: 1945-1980Imperial Presidency Under Attack: 1945-1980

• By the end of World War II, the presidency had By the end of World War II, the presidency had become a very powerful office and emphasis on the become a very powerful office and emphasis on the “cold war” in the 1950s and 1960s added to the “cold war” in the 1950s and 1960s added to the president’s power.president’s power.

• The Truman DoctrineThe Truman Doctrine• Sending troops to VietnamSending troops to Vietnam

• Watergate, Richard Nixon’s resignation and Jimmy Watergate, Richard Nixon’s resignation and Jimmy Carter’s inability to resolve the Iranian hostage Carter’s inability to resolve the Iranian hostage situation frustrated the public and the presidency situation frustrated the public and the presidency came under increasing attacks from Congress.came under increasing attacks from Congress.

EVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYEVOLUTION OF THE PRESIDENCYThe Contemporary Presidency: 1980-The Contemporary Presidency: 1980-

• Following the Vietnam War and Watergate, the Following the Vietnam War and Watergate, the powers of the modern presidency has been powers of the modern presidency has been diminished as the resources for presidential power diminished as the resources for presidential power fall short of the tasks he is expected to performfall short of the tasks he is expected to perform- divided government became the norm- divided government became the norm- a high national debt and budget deficits limited - a high national debt and budget deficits limited

the expansion of federal programsthe expansion of federal programs

• What is required to succeed on the campaign trail is What is required to succeed on the campaign trail is different from what is needed to handle the global different from what is needed to handle the global demands of a modern president.demands of a modern president.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTSLEGAL REQUIREMENTSFOR PRESIDENTFOR PRESIDENT

• at least 35 years of ageat least 35 years of age

• have lived in the United States 14 have lived in the United States 14 yearsyears

• be a natural born citizen of the be a natural born citizen of the United StatesUnited States

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIAPRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA• Only divorced president: ReaganOnly divorced president: Reagan• Only bachelor president: BuchananOnly bachelor president: Buchanan• Shortest Term: Harrison (1 month)Shortest Term: Harrison (1 month)• Largest President: Taft (350 pounds)Largest President: Taft (350 pounds)• Smallest President: Madison (95Smallest President: Madison (95 pounds)pounds)• Youngest President: Roosevelt (42)Youngest President: Roosevelt (42)• Oldest President: Reagan (77)Oldest President: Reagan (77)

INFORMAL CRITERIAINFORMAL CRITERIAFOR PRESIDENTFOR PRESIDENT

• Political ExperiencePolitical Experience• 1868-1956 gubernatorial experience 1868-1956 gubernatorial experience

preferredpreferred• 1960-1972 senatorial experience 1960-1972 senatorial experience

preferredpreferred• 1972 to the present ???????1972 to the present ???????

• Vice-president?? Vice-president??

THE VICE PRESIDENCYTHE VICE PRESIDENCYIf Washington is called “Mr. President,” then If Washington is called “Mr. President,” then

you need to call me “Your superfluous you need to call me “Your superfluous excellency.”excellency.”

John Adams, our first Vice PresidentJohn Adams, our first Vice President

““[The Vice Presidency] is the most [The Vice Presidency] is the most insignificant office that ever the invention of insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination man contrived or his imagination conceived.”conceived.”

John AdamsJohn Adams

THE VICE PRESIDENCYTHE VICE PRESIDENCY““The Vice Presidency isn’t worth a warm The Vice Presidency isn’t worth a warm

bucket of piss.”bucket of piss.”

John Nance Garner, one of FDR’s Vice PresidentsJohn Nance Garner, one of FDR’s Vice Presidents

““I do not propose to be buried until I am I do not propose to be buried until I am really dead.”really dead.”

Daniel Webster, on not accepting the Vice Daniel Webster, on not accepting the Vice PresidencyPresidency

THE VICE PRESIDENCYTHE VICE PRESIDENCY

““A little over a week ago, I took a rather A little over a week ago, I took a rather unusual step for a vice president . . . I unusual step for a vice president . . . I said something.”said something.”

Spiro Agnew, Vice President under Richard NixonSpiro Agnew, Vice President under Richard Nixon

““Look at all the Vice Presidents in Look at all the Vice Presidents in history. Where are they? They were history. Where are they? They were about as useful as a cow’s fifth teat.”about as useful as a cow’s fifth teat.”

Harry S Truman, one of FDR’s Vice PresidentsHarry S Truman, one of FDR’s Vice Presidents


““Once the election is over, the Vice Once the election is over, the Vice President’s usefulness is over. He’s President’s usefulness is over. He’s like the second stage of a rocket. He’s like the second stage of a rocket. He’s damn important going into orbit, but damn important going into orbit, but he’s always thrown off to burn up in the he’s always thrown off to burn up in the atmosphere.”atmosphere.”

An aide to Vice President Hubert HumphreyAn aide to Vice President Hubert Humphrey

““The Job of the Vice President is to go to The Job of the Vice President is to go to weddings and funerals.”weddings and funerals.”

Harry S TrumanHarry S Truman


““The person with the best job in the The person with the best job in the country is the Vice President . . . . country is the Vice President . . . . All he has to do is get up in the All he has to do is get up in the morning and say, “How’s the morning and say, “How’s the President?’”President?’”

Will RogersWill Rogers

THE VICE PRESIDENCYTHE VICE PRESIDENCYPossibly our worst Vice President was Thomas Marshall Possibly our worst Vice President was Thomas Marshall (Wilson’s VP)(Wilson’s VP)

“ “As vice president, I am responsibleAs vice president, I am responsible for nothing and influential nowhere”for nothing and influential nowhere”

““My job is like a monkey cage– exceptMy job is like a monkey cage– except that visitors do not offer me peanuts”that visitors do not offer me peanuts”

In his inaugural address he promised to “acknowledge In his inaugural address he promised to “acknowledge the insignificant influence of the office”the insignificant influence of the office”

He once told a bodyguard that “his job was pointless asHe once told a bodyguard that “his job was pointless asno one every shoots a Vice President” no one every shoots a Vice President”


• Vice-president?? Vice-president?? VPs who became President by election:VPs who became President by election: 1800s – Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren1800s – Adams, Jefferson, Van Buren 1900s – T. Roosevelt, Coolidge, 1900s – T. Roosevelt, Coolidge,

Truman, Truman, Nixon, Johnson, Nixon, Johnson, BushBush

• Military Hero??Military Hero??


• Executive AbilityExecutive Ability• the ability to hire good the ability to hire good

peoplepeople

• IdeologyIdeology• middle of the roadmiddle of the road


• Physical StaminaPhysical Stamina

• Mental StabilityMental Stability

• Knowledge of the IssuesKnowledge of the Issues

• Nominated by one of the two Nominated by one of the two major partiesmajor parties

PRESIDENTIAL OATHPRESIDENTIAL OATH

““I _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will I _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the faithfully execute the office of President of the United StatesUnited States, and will to the best of my ability, , and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United Statesthe United States.”.”

-- Washington added “So help me God” and -- Washington added “So help me God” and others others followed this traditionfollowed this tradition

-- Why do presidents have the choice of “swear or -- Why do presidents have the choice of “swear or affirm”affirm”-- So Quakers could run for the office-- So Quakers could run for the office

-- Only Franklin Pierce (1853) “affirmed”-- Only Franklin Pierce (1853) “affirmed”

OATH OF OFFICEOATH OF OFFICEGermany: “Promote the general welfare” and Germany: “Promote the general welfare” and “protect the people from harm.”“protect the people from harm.”Philippines: “Do justice to every man.”Philippines: “Do justice to every man.”Taiwan: “Safeguard the security of the State,”Taiwan: “Safeguard the security of the State,”Ukraine: “Enhance the prestige of Ukraine in Ukraine: “Enhance the prestige of Ukraine in the world.”the world.”Iran: “Follow the example of the Prophet of Iran: “Follow the example of the Prophet of Islam.”Islam.”Mexico: “Look for the good and prosperity of Mexico: “Look for the good and prosperity of the union.”the union.”

THE JOB OF PRESIDENTTHE JOB OF PRESIDENTAct as Commander in ChiefAct as Commander in Chief

Negotiate TreatiesNegotiate TreatiesReceive Foreign AmbassadorsReceive Foreign AmbassadorsNominate Top Federal OfficialsNominate Top Federal Officials

Veto BillsVeto BillsFaithfully Administer Federal LawsFaithfully Administer Federal Laws

Pardon Persons for Federal OffensesPardon Persons for Federal OffensesAddress Congress and the NationAddress Congress and the Nation

WHAT WE LOOK FORWHAT WE LOOK FOR1995 2005

Sound Judgment 76% 76%

High Ethical Standards 67% 67%

Compassion 64% 63%

Saying What One Believes 59% 56%

Consistent Positions 51% 52%

Forcefulness and Decisiveness 50% 49%

Willingness to Compromise 34% 38%

Experience in Public Office 30% 37%

Political Savvy 31% 36%

THE BEST & WORSTTHE BEST & WORSTTHE BESTTHE BEST THE WORSTTHE WORST

1. Abraham Lincoln

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt

3. George Washington

4. Theodore Roosevelt

5. Thomas Jefferson

6. Harry Truman

7. Woodrow Wilson

8. Dwight D. Eisenhower

9. John F. Kennedy

10. Ronald Reagan

1. James Buchanan

2. Franklin Pearce

3. Warren Harding

4. William Henry Harrison

5. Andrew Johnson

6. George W. Bush

7. Millard Fillmore

8. John Tyler

9. Herbert Hoover

10. Benjamin Harrison

2014

GREAT PRESIDENTS ARE:GREAT PRESIDENTS ARE:

• Blessed with a great crisisBlessed with a great crisis

• Resolve the crisis in an innovative Resolve the crisis in an innovative and creative wayand creative way

• Leave a legacyLeave a legacy

CONCEPTS OF CONCEPTS OF PRESIDENTIAL POWERPRESIDENTIAL POWER

• Narrow (Whig Model)-- presidential power is Narrow (Whig Model)-- presidential power is limited to the specific grants of power limited to the specific grants of power enumerated in the Constitutionenumerated in the Constitution• Pre-TR and Taft, Harding and CoolidgePre-TR and Taft, Harding and Coolidge

• Broad (Stewardship Model) -- presidential Broad (Stewardship Model) -- presidential power is greater than what is enumerated in power is greater than what is enumerated in the Constitutionthe Constitution• the role of precedentthe role of precedent

PRESIDENTIAL CHARACTERPRESIDENTIAL CHARACTER

• What should we look for in a What should we look for in a president?president?• James David Barber, Duke UniversityJames David Barber, Duke University

• Presidential Character is the “way a Presidential Character is the “way a President orients himself toward life.”President orients himself toward life.”• Developed mainly during childhoodDeveloped mainly during childhood• Self-esteem underlies character. Self-esteem underlies character.

• The better people feel about themselvesThe better people feel about themselves, , the more the more likely they will be able to accept criticism, think likely they will be able to accept criticism, think rationally, and learn on the jobrationally, and learn on the job..

PRESIDENTIAL CHARACTERPRESIDENTIAL CHARACTER• Based on two dimensionsBased on two dimensions

• 1. The amount of energy a person 1. The amount of energy a person puts into being presidentputs into being president

• active or passiveactive or passive• Plays the roles of being president Plays the roles of being president

aggressivelyaggressively• Rarely plays the roles of being president Rarely plays the roles of being president

aggressively except during crisisaggressively except during crisis• 2. How a person feels about being 2. How a person feels about being

presidentpresident• positive or negativepositive or negative

• Enjoys the job of being president; Enjoys the job of being president; flexibleflexible

• Unhappy in the job; anxious; a sense of Unhappy in the job; anxious; a sense of dutyduty

PRESIDENTIALPRESIDENTIAL CHARACTER CHARACTER Positive Negative Active

ADAPTIVE: self-confident; flexible; creates opportunities for action; enjoys the exercise of power, does not take himself too seriously; optimistic; emphasizes the "rational mastery" of his environment; power used as a means to achieve beneficial results.

COMPULSIVE: power as a means to self-realization; expends great energy on tasks but derives little joy; preoccupied with whether he is failing or succeeding; low self-esteem; inclined to rigidity and pessimism; highly driven; problem managing aggression.

Passive

COMPLIANT: seek to be loved; easily manipulated; low self-esteem is overcome by ingratiating personality; reacts rather than initiates; superficially optimistic.

WITHDRAWN: responds to a sense of duty; avoid power; low self-esteem compensated by service to others; responds rather than initiates; avoids conflict and uncertainty. emphasizes principles and procedures and an aversion to politicking.

PRESIDENTIAL CHARACTERPRESIDENTIAL CHARACTERActive-Positive

Thomas Jefferson Franklin D. Roosevelt

Harry S Truman John F. Kennedy

Bill Clinton George W. Bush (?)

Active-Negative

James K. Polk Abraham Lincoln Woodrow Wilson Herbert Hoover

Lyndon B. Johnson Jimmy Carter Richard Nixon

Passive-Positive

William Howard Taft Warren G. Harding

Ronald Reagan George H.W. Bush

Passive-Negative

Calvin Coolidge Dwight D. Eisenhower

PRESIDENTIAL STYLE

PRESIDENTIAL ROLESPRESIDENTIAL ROLES

LEGISLATIVE LEADER

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

PARTY LEADER

CHIEF DIPLOMAT

PUBLIC LEADER

DOMESTIC PROVISIONS

Constitutional Powers

LEGISLATIVE LEADERLEGISLATIVE LEADER

• When does Congress follow the lead When does Congress follow the lead of the president?of the president?• The Honeymoon PeriodThe Honeymoon Period• International Crisis International Crisis

NOTHING LIKE A GOOD CRISIS !NOTHING LIKE A GOOD CRISIS !

Truman Korea Invaded 9Truman Korea Invaded 9Eisenhower Egypt Seizes Suez Canal 7Eisenhower Egypt Seizes Suez Canal 7Kennedy Cuban Missile Crisis 13Kennedy Cuban Missile Crisis 13Johnson Bombing Halt of N. Vietnam 14Johnson Bombing Halt of N. Vietnam 14Nixon Vietnam Peace Agreement 16Nixon Vietnam Peace Agreement 16Carter Hostages Seized in Iran 28Carter Hostages Seized in Iran 28Bush Iraq Invasion of Kuwait 20Bush Iraq Invasion of Kuwait 20Clinton Invasion of Haiti 5Clinton Invasion of Haiti 5BushBush September 11th 38 September 11th 38

President Event Increase in Approval


• When does Congress follow the lead When does Congress follow the lead of the president?of the president?• The Honeymoon PeriodThe Honeymoon Period• International Crisis International Crisis • LuckLuck

• Commanding majority in CongressCommanding majority in Congress


• When does Congress follow the When does Congress follow the lead of the lead of the presidentpresident??• The Honeymoon PeriodThe Honeymoon Period• International Crisis International Crisis • LuckLuck

• Commanding majority in Congress Commanding majority in Congress • Skilled at manipulation (LBJ Skilled at manipulation (LBJ

Treatment)Treatment)

Presidents Under Unified Presidents Under Unified GovernmentGovernment

Presidents Under Divided Presidents Under Divided GovernmentGovernment

APPROVAL RATINGSAPPROVAL RATINGS

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953

TRUMAN


54565860626466687072

1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961

EISENHOWER


0102030405060708090

1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

JOHNSONKENNEDY


0102030405060708090

1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

NIXON


0102030405060708090100

1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

CARTERFORD

Approval Ratings Average High Low

Truman 45 87 23Eisenhower 65 79 48Kennedy 70 83 56Johnson 55 79 35Nixon 49 67 24Ford 47 71 37Carter 45 75 28Reagan 53 68 35H.W. Bush 61 89 29Clinton 55 73 27G.W. Bush 49 90 25Obama 49 69 38

2012

Why Approval RatingsWhy Approval RatingsGo Down Over TimeGo Down Over Time

• Expectations rise in campaigns and Expectations rise in campaigns and are dashed as time limits resourcesare dashed as time limits resources

• Things get blamed, rightly or Things get blamed, rightly or wrongly, on the presidentwrongly, on the president

• Major negative events influence Major negative events influence how people evaluate presidentshow people evaluate presidents

• Press and media criticism Press and media criticism accumulate over timeaccumulate over time

The Buck Stops at the Top

PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA

0

5

10

15

20

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

New Requests

to Congress

VETO POWERVETO POWER• Threat of a VetoThreat of a Veto• Line Item VetoLine Item Veto

• Only on money billsOnly on money bills• Supreme Court declared this Supreme Court declared this

unconstitutional in 1997unconstitutional in 1997

Do Presidents Veto Many Bills?Do Presidents Veto Many Bills?

PRESIDENTIAL VETOES PRESIDENTIAL VETOES AND OVERRIDESAND OVERRIDES

President Years in Office

# of Vetoes

# of Overrides

Roosevelt 13 635 9

Truman 7 250 12

Eisenhower 8 181 2

Kennedy 3 21 0

Johnson 5 30 0

Nixon 6 43 7



# of Vetoes

# of Overrides

Ford 3 66 12

Carter 4 31 2

Reagan 8 78 9

Bush 4 44

1

Clinton 8 37 2



# of Vetoes

# of Overrides

Bush 8 12 1

Obama 6 2 0

Only one two term president did not veto a single bill . . . . Who was he?

SIGNING STATEMENTS AND SIGNING STATEMENTS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERSEXECUTIVE ORDERS

• Signing Statement (do not have the force of law)Signing Statement (do not have the force of law)• When the president signs a bill into law, he may attach a When the president signs a bill into law, he may attach a

statement which indicates how the executive branch wants the statement which indicates how the executive branch wants the bureaucracy to interpret the law.bureaucracy to interpret the law.

• Most often rhetorical but sometimes contrary to congressional Most often rhetorical but sometimes contrary to congressional intent intent

• Executive Order (they have the force of law but can be Executive Order (they have the force of law but can be overturned by subsequent administrationsoverturned by subsequent administrations

• Proclamation – ceremonialProclamation – ceremonial• National Security Directive and Presidential Decision Directive National Security Directive and Presidential Decision Directive

– deal with national security and defense matters– deal with national security and defense matters• Emancipation ProclamationEmancipation Proclamation• Integration of the Armed ForcesIntegration of the Armed Forces

Signing StatementsSigning Statements

President Total % with Constitutional Objections

Johnson 175 2.9%Nixon 117 3.4%Ford 137 3.6%Carter 227 5.7%Reagan 250 34.4%Bush 228 46.9%Clinton 381 18.4%Bush 162 72.8%Obama (2012) 23 47.8%

# of Executive Orders Per Year# of Executive Orders Per Year

OPEN & CLOSED POLITICSOPEN & CLOSED POLITICS

• State of the Union State of the Union Message Message

• Special MessageSpecial Message• Veto PowerVeto Power• Press ConferencesPress Conferences

• Personal ContactPersonal Contact

• PatronagePatronage

• Pork BarrelPork Barrel

Open Closed

Presidential power is the power to persuade

State of the UnionState of the Union

“The president shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the State of the Union . . . .

Article II, Section 3, Clause 1

1790-1934: Known as the “Annual Message”

1st Radio Broadcast: Coolidge, 19231st Television Message: Truman, 1947

The Longest: Taft, 1910 (27,651 words)The Shortest: Washington, 1790 (1,089 words)

PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHESPRESIDENTIAL SPEECHESIn Thousands

Obama

PRESS CONFERENCESPRESS CONFERENCES

COMMANDER IN CHIEFCOMMANDER IN CHIEF• Lincolnian View -- an expansive view of Lincolnian View -- an expansive view of

presidential authoritypresidential authority

• Wilsonian-FDR View -- an executive-Wilsonian-FDR View -- an executive-legislative partnership in war legislative partnership in war leadership; statutes passed giving leadership; statutes passed giving broad powers to the presidentbroad powers to the president

COMMANDER IN CHIEFCOMMANDER IN CHIEF• The president is the ultimate decision The president is the ultimate decision

maker in military mattersmaker in military matters• Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombTruman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb• Nixon’s invasion of CambodiaNixon’s invasion of Cambodia• Reagan sent troops to Lebanon and to GrenadaReagan sent troops to Lebanon and to Grenada• Clinton sent troops to Haiti and to BosniaClinton sent troops to Haiti and to Bosnia• Obama sent special forces to Pakistan to Obama sent special forces to Pakistan to

assassinate Osama bin Ladenassassinate Osama bin Laden

PARTY LEADERPARTY LEADER

• The President is deprived of the The President is deprived of the advantage of a strong party organization advantage of a strong party organization that other heads of government enjoy that other heads of government enjoy • Federalism has led to fragmentation where we Federalism has led to fragmentation where we

have 50 separate and autonomous state have 50 separate and autonomous state organizations organizations

• Therefore, Presidents are heavily Therefore, Presidents are heavily dependent on their own personal skillsdependent on their own personal skills

Private Clubs and Organizations

Precinct Party Committees

Municipal Party Committees

County Party Committees

State Party Committees

CHIEF DIPLOMATCHIEF DIPLOMAT

• The Two Presidencies ThesisThe Two Presidencies Thesis

• Receive AmbassadorsReceive Ambassadors

• Summit ConferencesSummit Conferences

CHIEF DIPLOMATCHIEF DIPLOMAT•Treaties and Executive AgreementsTreaties and Executive Agreements

•Emergency Powers to be used during time of Emergency Powers to be used during time of crisis (Inherent Powers)crisis (Inherent Powers)

• Lincoln suspended civil liberties at the start of Lincoln suspended civil liberties at the start of the Civil Warthe Civil War

• Lincoln called state militias into national serviceLincoln called state militias into national service• Truman seized the steel mills during the Korean Truman seized the steel mills during the Korean

War to prevent a strike (overturned by the War to prevent a strike (overturned by the Supreme Court)Supreme Court)

DOMESTIC PROVISIONSDOMESTIC PROVISIONS• . . . he shall take care that the laws be faithfully . . . he shall take care that the laws be faithfully

executed . . . . (Art. II, sec. 3)executed . . . . (Art. II, sec. 3)

• Inherent Executive PowersInherent Executive Powers• Presidents have assumed “inherent powers” (not Presidents have assumed “inherent powers” (not

specifically mentioned in the Constitution).specifically mentioned in the Constitution).• Jefferson’s purchase of LouisianaJefferson’s purchase of Louisiana• Bush’s suspension of civil liberties of foreign nationals held in Bush’s suspension of civil liberties of foreign nationals held in

military prison at Guantanamo Baymilitary prison at Guantanamo Bay

DOMESTIC PROVISIONSDOMESTIC PROVISIONS• • . . . and he shall have power to grant reprieves and . . . and he shall have power to grant reprieves and

pardons for offenses against the United States, except pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. (Art. II, sec. 2)in cases of impeachment. (Art. II, sec. 2)

-- amnesty (blanket pardon)-- amnesty (blanket pardon)

-- Andrew Johnson gave amnesty to all -- Andrew Johnson gave amnesty to all former Confederate soldiersformer Confederate soldiers

-- Jimmy Carter gave amnesty to Vietnam-- Jimmy Carter gave amnesty to Vietnam era draft resistersera draft resisters

PRESIDENTIAL PARDONSPRESIDENTIAL PARDONS• • Can a pardon be rejected?Can a pardon be rejected?

-- if you accept a pardon that is an admission of -- if you accept a pardon that is an admission of guiltguilt

When does a president give most of their pardons?When does a president give most of their pardons?

PRESIDENTIAL PARDONSPRESIDENTIAL PARDONS

Per Year

PUBLIC LEADERPUBLIC LEADER

• Presidents are news . . . Even when Presidents are news . . . Even when they do nothingthey do nothing

• Presidents keep their eyes on public Presidents keep their eyes on public opinion pollsopinion polls

• Trial BalloonTrial Balloon

With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.”

Abraham Lincoln

IS IT TOO MUCH IS IT TOO MUCH FOR ONE PERSON?FOR ONE PERSON?

• The responsibilities are awesomeThe responsibilities are awesome• There is no “vacation”There is no “vacation”• The remuneration is poorThe remuneration is poor

IS IT TOO MUCH IS IT TOO MUCH FOR ONE PERSON?FOR ONE PERSON?

• The president fulfills two roles that, The president fulfills two roles that, in other nations, are performed by in other nations, are performed by two different peopletwo different people• Head of GovernmentHead of Government• Chief of StateChief of State

“The office of President is such a bastardized thing, half royalty and half democracy, that nobody knows

whether to genuflect or spit.”

Jimmy Breslin

By Loren Miller

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