chapter 6

“Out of his childhood, [he] brought a persistent bent toward life as painful, difficult, and – perhaps as significant – uncertain.”

“flexibility of principle”

“his investment is in himself”

“[He], then, brought from his childhood an orientation toward life, a combination of “vigor” and laughter”

“his manner was quiet, factual, direct, and increasingly confident”

“thirst for action”

Barber's Argument

A president’s personality is an important shaper

of his presidential behavior and is understandable in psychological terms.

A president’s personality interacts with the power situation he faces and the national climate of expectations.

Personality = Performance

Character

• Self esteem

Worldview

• Beliefs on human nature and morality

Style

• Speaking, dealing with other politicians, studying

The President is a Person After All

Presidential Character and Performance

Revisiting the Puzzle

Presidency is the best institution to solve collective dilemmas in times of crisis

Does power recede after a crisis?

Puzzle

Founders wanted a strong, central government

How have presidents increased their power at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches?

Unitary president to solve collective dilemmas

Fears

What are the consequences of these shifts in institutional power?

Federalist 69

Executive

King

Elected

Impeachment

Veto override

Shares foreign policy authority with Congress

Appointments with Advice and Consent of Senate

Hereditary monarch

Until death

Absolute negative

Holds ALL control over foreign

policy

He not only appoints to all offices,

but can create offices

Founders and the Unitary Executive

Madison in Federalist 51:

“As the weight of the legislative authority requires that it should be thus divided [into branches], the weakness of the executive may require, on the other hand, that it should be fortified.”

Clinton in Cato No. 4:

“…that if the president possessed of ambition, he has the power and time sufficient to ruin

his country.”

Enhancing Presidential Power

Commander-in-Chief

President has the first mover advantage

Congress’s authority to declare war is a hollow check

“He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties…and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors"

Idea that presidents have the military at their disposal remains pretty much unchallenged

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States…”

The President As Chief Legislator

The legislative roles that are given by the Constitution allow the president to be a major part of the legislative process.

Mobilize PUBLIC SUPPORT and their PARTY

Executive Orders

Executive Agreements

Signing Statements

-13

Enhancing Presidential Power

Informal powers

Formal powers

Positive

Negative

Compulsive: power as means to self-realization, driven,

problem managing aggression,

energetic for selfish reasons

Adaptive: self-confident,

power used as means to

achieve beneficial results,

may fail to see the irrational nature of politics

Active

Passive

Receptive and compliant:

seek to be loved,

easily manipulated,

low self-esteem,

superficial optimism

Withdrawn: respond to

sense of duty, avoid power,

low self-esteem,

lack experience

and flexibility