3. Psychobiography aims to understand historical
individuals such as artists or political
leaders, through the application of psychological
theory and research. It is, in essence, a form of case
study.
Thesis statement: You may choose one single
action of your chosen president.
CFU: Explain to your partner the benefit of narrow
focus (i.e. one action or one character trait).
4. Personality traits A decision the president
made in office that had
(stubborn, kind, harsh, large impacts (war, New
optimistic, etc.) Deal, Health
Family life Care, Diplomatic
Recognition of China)
Socioeconomic status
Interests Political influence
Educational (Neustadt)
background Congressional influence
Love life (was he able to get
support in Congress?)
Identify 2-3 resources Public support or non-
you can use in order to support
research the traits
listed above.
5. According to Richard Neustadt, a president derives his power
from his ability to influence. George Bush, Jr., as demonstrated in
his first term in office with the decision to execute a continuous war
against terror, embodies this presidential influence. Bush’s overall
stubborn nature, and constant comparison to his fathers’ success
concerning educational achievement and political success, explain
his decision to wage a long-lasting war, largely supported by
Congress, in the Middle East.
Identify one praise and one polish of the writing sample above.
Write 1-2 sentences to justify each.
6. When collecting information, write down every source you use
and the information you got from that source (this helps your
works cited page)
MLA Citation
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New
York: Anchor Books, 1995. Print.
Lamott's book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing
life, complete with its insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous
approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott's
book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot
development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's
own internal critic. In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises
designed to be both productive and fun.
GIST Summary (Info
you may use)
7. Another aspect of political power is the president's
professional reputation in Washington and abroad. The idea of
the president's reputation concerns how the Washingtonians
as Neustadt refers to them, view the president. Some
Washingtonians for example are governors, military
leaders, leading politicians, foreign ambassadors and
Congress. The president's reputation comes into play by how
reliant the government's infrastructure has on the president to
carry out his legislation. The better the reputation of the
president, the easier it will be to facilitate negotiations to
implement policy.
According to the statement above, what creates a strong president?
Explain the impact our two-party system has on the President’s
8. Objective: SWBAT identify and explain the major roles/sources of
power of the presidency.
Given a multiple choice exit ticket, SW (80% accuracy)
Identify the role the president fulfills
Write a 1-2 sentence justification for each
Relevance: The presidency, as we covered last week, covers an
array of duties not specifically mentioned in our Constitution.
Now we vote the president that is going to have the most
beneficial impact on our own personal situations. According to
Neustadt, it is most important to examine the roles of the
presidency, or the duty he fulfills, rather than the candidate
him/herself. Today, and the next couple of days will outline the
major powers granted to the presidency so we can become more
effective voters in the 2016 election.
9. . . . Although we all make judgments about presidential
leadership, we often base our judgments upon images of office
that are far removed from the reality. We also use those
images when we tell one another whom to choose as
president. But it is risky to appraise a man in office or to choose
a man for office on false premises about the nature of his job.
When the job is the presidency of the United States the risk
becomes excessive . . .
1) What does Neustadt warn American citizens while
choosing the presidency.
2) Write 1-2 sentences to analyze Americans’ tendency to
vote based on personal attributes rather than the office
of the president.
10. What proposals does Reagan pose to Congressmen and women
in his State of the Union Address?
Based on Reagan’s proposals, identify and explain the purpose of
the State of the Union Address.
11. Examine the following quote:
“It is within our power to change this picture, and we can act
with hope…based on this confidence in a system which has
never failed us, but which we have failed with a lack of
confidence and sometimes a belief that we can fine tune the
economy and get it tuned for our liking, I am proposing a
comprehensive four-point-program.”
Identify the power the president has adopted in the
Legislative Process. Is this role allowed under the
Constitution?
12. The act of vetoing a single component of a bill.
Did the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allowed a one-House veto of
executive actions, violate the separation of powers doctrine?
“The prescription for legislative action in Art. I, § 1 -- requiring all legislative
powers to be vested in a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of
Representatives -- and § 7 -- requiring every bill passed by the House and
Senate, before becoming law, to be presented to the President, and, if he
disapproves, to be re-passed by two-thirds of the Senate and House --
represents the Framers' decision that the legislative power of the Federal
Government be exercised in accord with a single, finely wrought and
exhaustively considered procedure. This procedure is an integral part of the
constitutional design for the separation of powers.”
Define the president’s role in the process a bill takes to become a law.
Based on the opinion of Supreme Court Justice Burger, is the president
allowed to veto a single component of a bill? Cite specific evidence to justify
your response.
13. A statement made by
the president when he
passes a bill into law.
Read document: “Signing
Statements” and answer
accompanying questions.
Argue: Are signing
statements within the scope
of presidential powers as
stated in the Constitution?
Justify using 2-3 pieces of
evidence.
Write 1-2 sentences to explain
the impact signing
statements can have over
presidential power as defined
by Neustadt.
14. Responsible for overall health of the economy
Proposes the federal budget to Congress
Impoundment [0-5]
Decision of the president not to spend money appropriated
by Congress.
Read “1974 Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act” and answer supporting questions.
Explain how Congress can limit the power of the president as
the chief economist.
15. Enforce laws, treaties, and court
decisions
Appoint/fire officials
Executive orders [0-5] CFU: Identify and explain powers
Acts that have the force of laws Congress and the Supreme Court have
but are not deliberated in to limit a president’s ability to execute
Congress. executive orders:
1) Congress: Reduce spending
Read handout: “Obama’s 2) Senate reject appointments and
Executive Order on Gun treaties
Control.” 3) Impeachment (House) and
removal (Senate)
Argue the Constitutionality of 4) Supreme Court can strike down
Obama’s declaration. Justify using executive orders
1-2 pieces of evidence. (unconstitutional)
16. Set overall foreign policy
Diplomatic recognition [0-5]
▪ Establish/terminate relationships with foreign governments
Create treaties with foreign countries
Executive agreements
17. Ceremonial head of our
nation
In Great Britain there is a
separation between the
chief of state (the
king/queen) and the chief
executive (the prime
minister). Should the US
adopt a similar model to
Great Britain? Justify
using 2-3 pieces of
evidence.
18. Appoints federal
judges
Issues pardons [0-5]
Forgiveness
Grants amnesty [0-5]
An official pardon for 1) True/False: Obama grants amnesty to
people who have undocumented minors in the US.
committed a political 2) Justify how Obama’s executive action grants
amnesty to undocumented minors in the US.
offense. 3) Argue: Does Obama overstep his
constitutional boundaries?
19. Head of the political
party [0-5]
Selects party chairman
of the National
Committee and Vice
president
Political patronage [0-5]
Grant positions in 1) Identify one Constitutional institution that
the president cannot appoint members based
government according on patronage.
to party lines. 2) Explain ways that a president can influence
both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
