Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
What are the President's informal powers? - Coggle Diagram
What are the President's informal powers?
Powers of Persuasion
The 'Bully Pulpit'. Meaning an unrivalled public platform & media attention which the president can use to influence and leverage public opinion, and control the political adgenda.
Franklin D Roosevelt used fireside chats to boost morale during crises.
JFK became the first president to boradcast his press conferences live on TV.
DJT used Twitter to bypass and attack the media, and communicate more directly with voters.
Sent over 25,000 tweets in his first term!
The president has a strong position to negotiate from. Party leaders in congress are well aware that, unless there is supermajority support, any budget or bill will ultimately need the president's signature.
Head of State
Can bolster there power as head of government. They are a 'living flag' of the united states. And in times of crises groups will 'rally around the flag' when they face a common threat.
Power does fade in the long term as people disagree with how the president handles a crisis, seen with Donald Trump losing the election during Covid as he was not seen as a safe pair of hands to handle the crisis.
George W Bush had an approval rating from 51% to 90% following th 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The US presidents status is all the greater because the nation they symbolise is the most powertful liberal democracy in the world. They in turn symbolise the most powerful military, the largest economy and the largest giver of foreign aid. This props up their positon to negotiate on the world stage.
The Cabinet and EXOP - needed to help control the vast federal bureaucracy, and align their policy and goals to the presidents.
EXOP - provides expert advice, helps coordinate policy across departments, and ensures the president's agenda is implemented efficiently.
OMB - produces the federal budget and overseeing the financial aspects of government programs. It ensures that the president's fiscal policies are reflected in federal spending.
NSC - rings together military, intelligence, and diplomatic leaders to provide critical security briefings and policy recommendations
WHO - protects the president’s interests, manages daily operations, and ensures smooth interaction with Congress, the media, and the public.
De facto party lead
US parties do not have a single offical leader, but the president fills this role - becuase they can claim a manadate. Only elected offical who was elected by the entire country. If they want to pass a law they can argue that they are speaking on behalf of the american people.
Formal Powers Rely on Informal Powers
Formal: Can propose new legislation and submit an annual budget.
But must persuade congress to pass these appropriations and laws, which they may not do.
Formal: The president can nominate executvie branch officals and federal judges
But must persuade the Senate to confirm any appointments.
Formal: The president can negotiate congressional-executvie agreements
But only if they can persuade Congress to do so.