25. party slippage- even though the bond between party members is strong, presidents can not always count on their party members to support all of their programs/policies.. George W Bush proposed reforming social security and immigration and republicans did not support him. Not all democrats agreed with Obamas spending and tax reforms in 2010 and 2011 either. When opinions between party members of Congress and the President conflict, usually Congressmen vote with their constituents.
26. party leaders- free to oppose or agree with the President on any policies. They cannot reward or discipline members of Congress. To keep a good relationship with party leaders the White House provides them with many “amenities” like rides on Air Force One or photographs with the president. Party members/leaders consider it their right to receive these favors from the President. If party members oppose the president, the president cannot stop them or punish them. Members of Congress are largely self-recruited, gain their party’s nomination by their own efforts and not the party’s, and provide most of their own money and effort needed for their elections.
27. presidential coattails- occurs when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because those candidates support the president. Few races are determined this way. In actuality, the president’s party usually loses seats in Congress. Presidents party is more likely to lose seats in the House when the president has low approval ratings and when the party gained a lot of seats in the previous election. The president’s party often lacks a majority in one or both houses. Recent presidents have campaigned actively for their party’s candidates in midterm elections and sometimes this is beneficial. MIDTERM ELECTIONS LEAD TO SHIFTS IN PARTISAN MAKEUP OF CONGRESS OFTEN TO DETRIMENT OF PRESIDENT’S PARTY. THIS COULD LIMIT PRESIDENT’S ABILITY TO PASS POLICY.
LOOK AT TABLE 12.6 AND 12.7
28. public approval - Members of Congress may choose to be close or distant to the White House depending on the public’s reaction. If a president has high approval ratings, the president’s party will probably be more responsive, the public will be more easily swayed, and legislation is easier to pass. Therefore, public support of a president can turn a stalemate into a supportive situation in congress.
29. public disapproval- If Congress align themselves with a president who has a low approval rating, they may not gain reelection. Presidents with low approval ratings have a hard time influencing Congress. Low ratings may also create incentive to attack the president. Example: after occupation of Iraq and his rejected proposal to reform Social Security, it was much easier to attack George W Bush in the media and in Congress. THIS CAN LIMIT PRESIDENTIAL FREEDOM TO IMPLEMENT (FOREIGN) POLICY.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE UNLIKELY TO VOTE AGAINST THE CLEAR INTERESTS OF THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.
30. electoral mandates- the perception that the public strongly supports the president and his policies. It is permission granted to the president or the winning party to govern on their behalf. If a president wins the electoral college votes but only marginally wins the popular vote, some politicians may say that the president did not actually win the electoral mandate. So therefore, merely winning an election does not provide presidents with a mandate.
31. legislative skills- includes bargaining, making personal appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities, exploiting honeymoon periods, and structuring congressional votes.
· Bargaining- trading support on policies or providing specific benefits for representatives and senators actually happens less than one might think. The president doesn’t need to bargain with every member of Congress to receive support, especially when he starts with a sizable core of party supporters. He only needs to bargain if he does not have a majority among his party members.
· Honeymoon period- it is wise for a new president to be ready to send legislation to Congress eary during the first year in office in order to exploit the honeymoon stage. LBJ, FDR, Reagan, and W. Bush all did this.
· Priorities- it is important for the President to set priorities among legislative proposals in order to set Congress’s agenda. The President is the nation’s key agenda builder. Otherwise programs may become lost in the legislative process. It is also important bc it allows the White House to lobby for only a few bills at a time. Also, presidents only have a limited amount of capital so they should focus on issues important to them.
· Presidential legislative skills must compete with party, ideology, personal views and commitments, and constituency interests.
PRESIDENT’S HEAVIEST BURDEN IS PERHAPS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.
(**make sure students know that the term “expressed powers” means the same as “enumerated powers”. AP Test uses both of these terms interchangeably. These are powers that are specifically described in the constitution. )
32. Chief diplomat-
· the president can extend diplomatic recognition to foreign governments or can terminate relations with other nations. Richard Nixon with easing tension with China and Jimmy Carter terminating relations with Iran after the Iran hostage crisis. (EXPRESSED POWER)
· President can also negotiate treaties with other nations, although the Senate must approve them with a 2/3 vote. Jimmy Carter persuaded Senate to approve a treaty returning the Panama Canal to Panama. (EXPRESSED POWER)
· President can negotiate executive agreements with heads of foreign governments. These do not require senate ratification (they are suppose to report them to Congress and Congress may require implementing legislation passed by majorities of both houses. Most executive agreements are noncontroversial and deal with routine things like food deliveries but some such as the Vietnam peace agreement are more controversial.
· Presidents can also negotiate on behalf of other countries- Jimmy Carter and Israel/Egypt. TR and japan and Russia.
33. Commander and Chief- President has command of the military. framers wanted civilian control of the military so they made the president commander and chief of the armed forces. He also commands a vast nuclear arsenal. The president normally has “the football” a briefcase with the codes needed to unleash nuclear warfare, very close to his body. (EXPRESSED POWER)
34. War Powers Resolution- **SO IMPORTANT**
conflict over decision to go to war: President is commander-in-chief but Congress has power to declare war.
1973, overturned Tonkin Gulf Resolution, passed bc of Vietnam war and was suppose to give Congress a greater voice in sending troops into war. (congress never declared war during Korea or Vietnam conflict)
provisions of War Powers Act- President must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into combat. President must consult with Congress whenever feasible. Conflicts are limited to 60 days UNLESS Congress takes action. Congress can either extend time from the initial 60 days or can withdraw troops after 60 days with adequate notification to the President.
All presidents since the resolution have claimed that it is a unconstitutional infringement on their powers as commander and chief. Presidents have largely ignored this law and send troops into hostilities, sometimes with large loss of life.
Ex: Bush sent troops into Saudi Arabia to liberate Kuwait after an invasion by Iraq on his own authority.
35. crisis manager- most crises occur when dealing with foreign policy and it challenges the president to make tough decisions. They are rarely the presidents doing but can lead to the presidents undoing. (EX HOOVER AND GREAT DEP/ BUSH AND KATRINA) Bc the president can come to quicker decisions than Congress and only has to confine info with a small group, he is more prominent in dealing with crises.
36. public eye- very important for the president to be in the public eye and arrange appearances to get the public’s attention.
37. president in the polls- president’s standing in the poll is closely monitored bc it is easier to pass legislation and get support of congress if approval is high. Party identification plays a big role in the president’s approval ratings those who identify the with president’s party give the president a higher approval than those who are of the opposite party. Citizens seem to focus on the president’s efforts and stands on issues rather than on personality or simply how presidential policies affect them. However integrity and leadership skills do play an important role.
38. rally events- can cause a sudden jump in presidents approval ratings. These are events that are related to international relations, directly involving the US and a particular president and are specific, dramatic, and sharply focused. White House makes extraordinary efforts to portray the way the presidents appear in public and are portrayed by the press. George W Bush’s approval ratings jumped up 39 percentage points after Sept 11.
39. mobilizing voters- important weapon for the president that influences Congress. President tries to persuade the public instead of Congress on public policy. When the people speak, Congress listens bc they want to be reelected. However, it is risky for the president bc if he tries to mobilize the public and fails, lack of response could speak clearly to Congress.
40. Press and President- press links the public and the president together bc presidents can not directly reach the American people daily otherwise. Relationship with the press is an important aspect of the president’s efforts to lead public opinion. Most of time, press and POTUS in conflict. President wants info and policies to be presented to the public in a timely manner.. press wants all the info that exists without delay. White House monitors the media closely and encourages media to portray the president with a positive image. Press secretary deals with media the most.
41. media distorts- news tends to be superficial and oversimplified and presents the public with distorted views of presidential activities and issues. News coverage of the president mostly emphasizes the negative. Bias most politically charged issue between president and press.