Chief Legislator
Chief legislator is strictly a phrase invented to emphasize the executive's importance in the legislative process. The Constitution simply instructs that the president give a State of the Union report to Congress and instructs the president to bring other matters to Congress's attention from "time to time". It also gives the president power to veto congressional legislation. Party Leadership For most senators and representatives of the president's party, being in the same political party as the president creates a psychological bond. When presidents experience slippage in this support, they must be active party leaders and devote their efforts to both conversion and mobilization of their party. As the party leader, the president has some assets such as congressional party leaders, services and amenities for party members, and campaign aid. Public Support Presidents who have the backing of the public have an easier time influencing Congress. The perception that the voters strongly support the president's character and policies can be a powerful symbol in American politics. |
Leadership in Congress
|
Chief Diplomat
The president alone extends diplomatic recognition to foreign governments and terminates relations with other nations. The president also has the power to negotiate both treaties with other nations and executive agreements with the heads of foreign governments. Commander in Chief The president is the commander in chief of the United States armed forces. There has been continued dispute over war powers between the executive and legislative branches, and the 1973 War Powers Resolution in reaction to the the Vietnam War. Crisis Manager Crisis management has become increasingly important in modern times as the speed of communication has risen. Because situations develop more rapidly today, there is a premium on rapid action, secrecy, constant management, consistent judgement, and expert advice. Congress usually moves slowly, so the president has become more prominent in handling crises. |
Leadership in National Security
|
Presidential Approval Much of the energy the White House devotes to public relations is aimed at increasing the president's approval. Policy support is one of the biggest reasons for this effort. Presidents can often persuade or even mobilize the public to support their policies if they are skilled communicators, although the public is not always receptive to the president's message or gets basic facts wrong, making it hard to evaluate politics sensibly. Mobilizing the Public Sometimes merely changing public opinion is not sufficient-- the president wants the public to communicate its views directly to Congress.Mobilization of the public may be the ultimate weapon in the president's arsenal of resources with which to influence Congress. |
Leadership in the Public
|