Presidential Powers and Perquisites:
A Changing Dynamic
I. Presidential Powers
1. chief executive (two views)
2. commander in chief
3. "Prerogative Theory of the Presidency"
3. chief diplomat (A Presidential Directive)
4. chief administrator
5. head of state
6. veto power and legislative leadership
7. appointment power
8. pardoning power: Clinton's Pardons (FAQ)
B. Extra-Constitutional Powers
1. the electronic "bully pulpit"
2. the power to persuade
3. spokesperson for national interest
4. president as celebrity
5. global leader
6. party leader
7. manager of economic prosperity
III. Limits on Powers
A. Constitutional
1. shared power with Congress
2. subject to judicial review (Steel Seizure Case)
3. two term limit (22nd Amendment)
5. federalism
B. Extra Constitutional Limits
1. personal weaknesses
2. macro economic/political events
3. political climate of opinion
4. media scrutiny and criticism
5. administrative/bureaucratic size and inertia
6. congressional imposed limitations on presidential powers
IV. Political Leadership: Characteristics, Features & Elements
A. charismatic (charisma and words of Presidents)
B. situational
C. ephemeral
D. courageous
E. inspirational
F. personal
Key Web Sites
Presidential Powers and Limitations
An Eclectic Site on U.S. Presidents