1. Powers of the President ALONE
• Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
• Wield the ‘executive power’ (head of
government)
• Receive ambassadors (head of state)
• Appoint lower officials and key staff (EXOP)
• Grant reprieves and pardons
• Convene Congress in a ‘special session’

2.  Power of the President - SHARED
WITH SENATE
• Make/ratify treaties
• Appoint Ambassadors, Judges and
Cabinet
 Power of the President - SHARED
WITH CONGRESS
• Approve legislation

3. Roles of the President
• Military Commander
• Congress and War Powers Act (1973)
• Chief Executive
• Executive Privilege

4. Key powers of the President
• Power of persuasion - institutional advantage and
political capital (Bush post-9/11); personal skill
(Clinton)
• Two Presidencies (foreign vs. domestic)
Rise of presidential power
• Increased Salience of foreign Policy
• Expansion of the Federal Government
• Mass Media (especially TV)

5. Executive Establishment
• Cabinet and Departments
• Vice President
• Executive Office of the President

6. Legislative Leader
• Agenda Setting (State of
the Union)
• Coalition Building
(Influencing Members)
• Bypassing Congress
(‘Going Public’; Veto
bargaining)
Party Leader
• Coat-tails
• Fundraising