This document discusses the modern American presidency, including its constitutional foundations, evolving powers, and selection process. It also examines how presidents staff and lead the executive branch, outlining factors that influence their effectiveness like public support, relations with Congress, and circumstances during their term. While presidents have expanded influence, the chapter cautions that their control is limited and leadership depends on many other actors and conditions.

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Chapter 12

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Foundations of
the Modern Presidency
Article II of the Constitution
Broadly worded discussion of presidential power
The changing conception of the presidency
Jackson and Lincoln
Whig theory: presidency was limited or restrained office
Stewardship theory: strong, assertive presidential role
 Theodore Roosevelt
The need for a strong presidency
Foreign policy leadership
Domestic policy leadership

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Choosing the President
The nominating process has grown more democratic over
time
Currently voters choose the presidential nominees
through electing delegates to national party conventions
Invisible primary
Primaries (New Hampshire first)
Caucuses (Iowa first)
Importance of money
Importance of momentum

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Choosing the President
The national party conventions
Formally selects the party’s presidential candidate
Presidential candidate selects the vice presidential
candidate.
The party decides on a platform.
The party heals wounds and divisions from the nominating
campaign.
The party presents its candidate to the voters.

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Choosing the President
Need 270 electoral votes in the Electoral College
Focus on battleground states
The importance of money
The importance of using the media properly
Internet and television
Constitutional requirements
At least thirty-five years old
Natural-born citizen
U.S. resident for at least 14 years

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Staffing the Presidency
The vice president
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
White House Office
 Communications Office
 Office of the Press Secretary
 Office of the Counsel to the President
 Office of Legislative Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
National Security Council
National Economic Council

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Staffing the Presidency
Cabinet and agency appointees
Cabinet no longer used as an advisory body
The problem of control
Most severe with appointees working in the departments
and agencies outside of the White House

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Factors in Presidential Leadership
The force of circumstance
Periods of presidential dominance marked by special set of
circumstances: decisive election victory and a compelling
national problem
The stage of the president’s term
Honeymoon period
Decreased success over time, especially in a second term

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Factors in Presidential Leadership
The nature of the issue: foreign or domestic
Presidents have greater power with foreign policy
Congress offers greater challenges over domestic policy
Relations with Congress
Seeking cooperation from Congress
 Power of persuasion
Benefiting from partisan support in Congress
Colliding with Congress
 Impeachment
 War Powers Act

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Factors in Presidential Leadership
Public support
Presidential approval ratings typically decrease over time
State of the economy
Foreign crises
The televised presidency: going public

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The Illusion of Presidential
Government
Negative press portrayals require the president to try to
“spin” the story.
Presidents get too much credit when things go well and
too much blame when things go badly.