Presidential Leadership. Constitutional Powers of the President The “executive”...
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Transcript of Presidential Leadership. Constitutional Powers of the President The “executive”...
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