Powers of the President

Introduction

• Articles of Confederation didn’t work (no executive)

• Article II of Constitution gives President broad powers.

• Heads Executive Branch, is commander in chief, conducts foreign policy, has judicial powers.

• Presidents have added to their powers over time.

Discussion Questions• Why do you think the founders gave the

president broad but vaguely described powers? What problems could that cause?

• Why have presidents wanted to add to their powers? Why is it sometimes necessary?

• Does the President have too much power?

1. The President: Head of State, Party Leader, Chief Diplomat

Head of State• Represents the nation at

ceremonial functions. Kings, queens, dignitaries, etc.

• A symbol of the United States

• Most democratic countries have a king/queen to do this job. Prime minister is chief executive

• “Bill Clinton Problem”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtHoRBIXvvs

Discussion Question• Should the President be seen as Head of State

and Head of Government? • Should they be separated? • Should how the President acts in his personal

life effect his job?• What is the role of public opinion?

The President: Head of State, Party Leader, Chief Diplomat

Party Leader• helps raise party funds and

plan campaign strategies

• Patronage- appoint Party leaders to government jobs

• People want bipartisan leaders, but political parties want the President to push their ideas

“An inquiry by the center's investigative team (Center for Public Integrity) found that more than two years into Obama's administration, "nearly 200 of his biggest donors have landed plum government jobs and advisory posts, won federal contracts worth millions of dollars for their business interests or attended numerous elite White House meetings and social events.”-LA Times, 2011

Discussion Question• Does the president’s job as party leader clash

with other duties?

The President: Head of State, Party Leader, Chief Diplomat

Chief Diplomat• Directs foreign policy and

oversees information agencies• Has power to make treaties:

2/3 Senate approval• Can make (without

Congressional approval) executive agreements that have the force of treaties with other nations

• Has the sole power to recognize foreign nations

Discussion Question• Do you think executive agreements, like

treaties, should have Senate approval?

2. The President: Chief Executive and

Chief LegislatorChief Executive

• Heads the 2+ million person executive branch

• Executive orders: Presidential directives that have the force of law. (Constitutional?)

Activity:• Type in “executive order

white house.gov” into a search engine on your iPad. Look at examples of recently made executive orders on whitehouse.gov

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA3jwOFjHhw

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmuUWI5xFN4

The President: Chief Executive and

Chief LegislatorChief Executive Part 2

• Presidential Appointments, removal of appointed officials

• *Impoundment: refusal to let federal departments use money that Congress has given it

• *Pardons: complete forgiveness for a crime

• *Reprieves: postponement of a punishment

• *Amnesty: pardon of a group of people.

Example of Pardons/Amnesty:-Gerald Ford granted amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers-Ronald Reagan pardoned NASCAR driver Junior Johnson for making moonshine-Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother of his record of cocaine distribution. 1 of 140 issued one his last day of office

Discussion Questions• When would an executive order be necessary?• Should there be more regulation on executive

orders?• What is your opinion on pardons, reprieves,

and amnesty? Support your answer

The President: Chief Executive and

Chief LegislatorChief Legislator

• Proposes legislation to Congress (usually in State of the Union Address)

• Must work harder for Congressional support when congress is controlled by opposing party

• May use political favors to gain congressional support

• Has the threat of the veto to influence Congress

3. Commander in Chief

• Shares with Congress the power to wage war

• Makes key military policy decisions (don’t have to have military background)

• Supports war effort on the home front during wars

• May use the armed forces to end disturbances or give aid in natural disasters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP8ApbiZ5l8

Commander in Chief• Notable Presidents with

little/no military experience: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Bill Clinton..

• Abe Lincoln was in a militia during the Black Hawk War but saw no military action.

Abe Lincoln called military glory "that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood -- that serpent's eye, that charms to destroy…” in the House of Rep in 1848. He opposed the war against Mexico.

Discussion Question

• Based on the history of Presidents and war powers, do you think other more capable people should make military decisions? Support your answer.

Think, Pair, and Share!