Chapter Seven: The Presidency

Presidential Powers

§ Veto – tool used to influence Congress

§ Roosevelt, Cleveland, and Truman used their veto power the most

§ “Riders” can be attached (extra articles/ amendments)

§ A major conflict with Congress is foreign relations

§ The Senate must approve with a 2/3 majority on all treaties

§ War Powers Act of 1973 – the president can commit troops only after a declaration of war by Congress

§ The president must keep Congress informed of the war’s progress

Relationship with the Media

§ Presidents accuse the media of portraying only their negative side

Public Approval

§ Average approval rating of presidents who have finished their term is 50%

§ After the (first) Gulf War, George Bush’s approval rating was near 90%; at the end of his presidency, it was less than 40%

§ Bully pulpits – ability to use the office of presidency to promote particular programs

The Presidency

The Focal Point of American Politics and Government

Constitutional Points:

• Article II covers
• 35 y.o., natural born cit., resident for 14 years
• Chief Exec. of Gov.
• Commander in Chief of armed forces
• Can grant pardons
• Can make treaties
• Can appoint ambassadors and judges
• Signs or vetoes legislation
• Elected by electoral college
• Miscellaneous Executive Privileges

Election and Succession

• Electoral College decides election.
• 4 year terms. Max of two terms.
• 25^th Amendment deals with presidential disability and succession.

President and Media and Public Opinion

• Presidents try to use the media to shape their public image
• Public opinion often guides policy
• “Bully pulpit” – ability of the President to use the power and influence of the office to affect change.
• “Mandate for change” by elected presidents
• Wartime approval rating soar
• Public opinion polls are conducted and used by the Executive Branch

Power of the President

• Judiciary Power
• Pardons
• Appointing all Federal judges including SCOTUS (all requiring Senate approval)
• National security
• Can initiate military action
• Can set military policies
• War Powers Act of 1973 attempts to reign in these powers

• Legislative
• Chief Legislator
• Develops legislative agenda
• Works along with allies in Congress
• Veto Use
• Veto Overrides
• Line Item Veto is no more