The Presidency
Constitutional Powers
 Few formal powers found in Constitution
reflects the framers’ ambivalence about the
Presidency
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Article 2 much shorter than Article 1
The few enumerated powers are closely tied to
Congress
Evolution of Presidential Power
 Formal constitutional powers have changed
very little.
 Instead, perceptions and beliefs about the
role of the president have evolved over time
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Restricted theory
Stewardship theory
Presidential Powers/Roles in
Foreign Affairs
 Head of State
 Commander in Chief
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
 War Powers Resolution
 Authorization for Afghanistan/Iraq

 Make treaties
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Executive Agreements
Presidential Powers/Roles in
Domestic Affairs
 Chief Executive

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Appointments
Policy making
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Executive Orders
Office of Management and Budget
 Chief Legislator

Agenda setting



State of the Union
Budget
Veto
Domestic Powers (cont.)
 Judicial Power

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Pardons, amnesty, reprieves
Appointments
Solicitor General
 Party Leader
President is Frequently in
Conflict with Congress
 Sources of Conflict
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Checks and balances
Differing constituencies
Different terms
Frequently, different parties
Keys to working with Congress
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Electoral mandate
Party strength
Presidential Approval
Going Public
Being on the right side
Determinants of Presidential
Approval
 Recurring cycle


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Honeymoon Period
Midterm slump
Pre-election upswing
 Economy
 Rally Events

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Hostages (1979/80)
Gulf War (1991)
15-Feb-01
15-Jun-04
15-May-04
15-Apr-04
15-Mar-04
15-Feb-04
15-Jan-04
15-Dec-03
60.0%
15-Nov-03
15-Oct-03
15-Sep-03
15-Aug-03
15-Jul-03
15-Jun-03
15-May-03
15-Apr-03
15-Mar-03
70.0%
15-Feb-03
15-Jan-03
15-Dec-02
15-Nov-02
15-Oct-02
15-Sep-02
15-Aug-02
15-Jul-02
15-Jun-02
15-May-02
15-Apr-02
15-Mar-02
15-Feb-02
15-Jan-02
15-Dec-01
15-Nov-01
15-Oct-01
15-Sep-01
15-Aug-01
15-Jul-01
15-Jun-01
15-May-01
15-Apr-01
15-Mar-01
% Approving
Classic Rally Effects: 9/11 and Iraq
War
Approval Ratings--President Bush
95.0%
90.0%
85.0%
Sept. 11th
80.0%
75.0%
Iraq War Begins
65.0%
Saddam Captured
55.0%
50.0%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
Presidential Approval (Cont.)
 Foreign Policy successes/failures
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
Nixon and China/Russia
Carter and Camp David Accords
 Scandal
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Watergate
Lewinski/Impeachment?