Presidential Leadership

Constitutional Powersof the President

• The “executive”• Commander-In-Chief• Appoints heads of government departments• Conducts foreign policy• Appoints judges• Power to pardon• “Faithfully execute the law”• Can call Congress into special session

Informal Sources of Power

Personal exercise of power

• Jefferson & Louisiana Purchase

• Theodore Roosevelt – “do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded, unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by the laws”

Immediate needs of the nation

Abraham Lincoln• Suspended writs of habeas corpus.• Jailed opponents of union without trial.• Raised an army without Congress’

approval.• Did what was necessary to

preserve the union.

Informal Sources of Power

Immediate needs of the nation

Franklin D. Roosevelt• Economic depression• Created new unconstitutional

programs• Expanded number of government

employees

Informal Sources of Power

Immediate needs of the nation

• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution gave LBJ authority to “take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force” to protect Americans in Vietnam.

Informal Sources of Power

Mandate of the People• Strong popular support

• President has to get his “message” across

• Communication

Informal Sources of Power

Limits on Presidential Power

Limitation by Congress

• Override of a veto

• Confirmation power of Congress

• Control of appropriations

• Power to impeach

Limitation by Federal Courts

• Courts can declare President’s programs unconstitutional.

Limitation by Bureaucracy• Bureaucrats can drag their feet

Limits on Presidential Power

Limitation by Public Opinion

• Forced LBJ to not run for

re-election

• Forced Clinton to abandon his plans

to change the health-care system.

Limits on Presidential Power

Styles of Leadership

Must understand the public and communicate well with the public

Had the good sense to wait until he had an international group of supporters before attacking Saddam Hussein.

Styles of Leadership

Openness to new ideas

Styles of Leadership

Ability to compromise

Styles of Leadership

Political courage

Styles of Leadership

Presidential Isolation

• Receives special treatment

• May not like different opinions

• Limited access to President

Dangers of Isolation

Presidential Isolation

        

        

The President must stay in touch with the American people and with new ideas.

Presidential Isolation