Unit V: Presidency

Notes

I.                   Theories of Presidential Power

a.     Power as Mythological Leader

     1.     Beholds the President as benevolent, highly moral, omniscent

     2.     Can inflate presidential competence

     3.     Says it is necessary to have a strong central gov. and strong president to lead it

     4.     The power of the office is overstated

b.    Power as Command

     1.     His Const. Authority is exerted through rules stated and interpretation of ambiguous const. Language to resolve issues

     2.     rallies public opinion, manages the party

     3.     personality not important, while skills of bargaining and persuasion are important

     4.     overemphasis on presidential power alone, under emphasis on working with other branches

              c.     Power as Persuasion

     1.     Most usable power is to persuade.

     2.     He is to convince others their interests are furthered by helping the President

     3.     Overemphasis on bargaining underemphasis on command

     4.     Congress needs the President, he needs them, fear of one exerting power drives them

d.    Power as Prerogative

     1.     Locke’s idea was the exercise of Executive power according to discretion for the public good.

     2.     Legislatures are too large and slow, the President must have exceptional power

     3.     Art. 2 Sect. 1 Cl. 1, 2-1-8, 2-2-1 justify expansion of Exec. Power

     4.     Emphasis on President protecting the U.S. for the best interest of the people, underemphasis on abuse of power

II.          Presidential Powers:

    Executive Order :

   Appointing Power:

   War Powers:      

   War Powers Resolution: 

   Recognition powers:         

   Veto powers:     

   Pardon Power:         

            Reprieve Power