The Presidency: The Leadership Branch

Debate: Has the Presidency become too powerful?

For the past 70 years repeated domestic and foreign crisis have brought the necessity of vigorous executive leadership to solve problems. Accompanying this increase in powers is the public's expectation that only strong presidential leadership can end the partisan bickering and the malaise in Washington. These two trends have resulted in a tremendous increase in the power of the presidency. Today, executive power is far reaching. Congress has delegated many emergency powers to the president and the office now has almost total control in national security manners. Television and the televised press conferences have also served to extend the speech making powers of the presidency. The office of the presidency is seen to represent the nation as whole and is the heart of policy formation in both domestic and foreign affairs and the office to which the nation looks to in times of crisis. Yet this enormous power in the office of one branch comes at a cost. Might Baron de Montesquieu argue that the power of the executive is too great compared with other institutions?

We will debate this issue in class and try to decide two issues surrounding the presidential power:

#1 Is the presidency too powerful?

AND

#2 Do we need a strong presidency?

To prepare for this debate, everyone is to finish the section in the book on the presidency (chapter 12), Arthur Schlesinger's famous article The Imperial Presidency, initially brought this question to the forefront but now the issue is in question. Read the analysis in the links below (especially in articles just after the impeachment of Clinton and Bush's war on terrorism.) for more information.

Your written debate should cover the following points but should not necessarily be limited to them:

1.) Growth of the president's powers to make war (War Powers Resolution)

2.) The president's dominance in foreign relations (executive agreements)

3.) Secrecy and executive privilege (could include the Imperial president)

4.) Judiciary Powers- the growing use of the president's power to pardon

5.) Government by veto

6.) The ability of the President to 'use' the media

What is to be turned in?:

First: (a one page (double spaced) typed opening statement) Which takes a side on the following question. Has the Presidency has become too powerful or do We need a stronger Chief Executive)? Second: A one page bullet by bullet rebuttal to the argument you constructed in your essay.

Introductory Articles/Discussion about presidential power: 1 and 2

For Expanding/retaining Presidential Power (these are just a few examples- please research some of your own):

New York Times Says Strengthen the Presidency

Find Law: John Dean's Article (the benefits and hazards) http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20020607.html

Foxnews: White House Counsel: Iraq Decision Belongs to Bush http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,61274,00.html

Republicans and Democrats Agree Presidency Needs More Power

Pardons: Obama Should Use Pardon More

PBS The American President Series (could be used as examples for the need of expanding presidential powers) http://www.americanpresident.org/program_9.htm

Both Sides on the war issue: Does the president have too much war power?

Against Extensive Presidential Power The President Isn't Powerful Enough (these are just a few examples- please research some of your own):

Congress Should Say No to Power GrabSlate Article

Pardons: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/jan-june01/pardon_2-14.html

Cato Institute:Clinton's Imperial Pres.: http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-389es.html http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa389.pdf

Exec. Orders http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-358es.html & http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa358.pdf

alternet: Bush's Big Brother: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=13714

CBSnews:Presidents & the Media: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/06/60minutes/main532107.shtml

Executive Orders: (an older article but still relevant) http://www.sonic.net/sentinel/gvcon5.html

President has too much war power: Repeal President's War Powers

**Signing Statements

Pulitzer Prize Winning Gary Wills talks about signing statements and Bush and Obama’s use of them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veJwG8f0X3c

MSNBC on Bush’s Signing Statements https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce71Zrgr29w

Article and Links Specific to Obama’s Use of Executive Orders

U.S. News and World Report

The Federalist http://thefederalist.com/2016/01/05/obamas-legacy-will-be-executive-abuse/

For Effective Government http://www.foreffectivegov.org/president-obamas-use-his-executive-power-facts-vs-hyperbole