Cornell Notes

Topic(s): Chapter 4- The Executive Branch

Big ideas, questions, main Notes, answers, details, answers, examples, sentences, pg.
ideas, vocab numbers
reading 2/23/21 pp. 119-
146

Constitutional guidelines Article I, Article II, 5 amendments, federal laws, Supreme Court
of executive rulings, customs, and precedents. Has greatly expanded since
initial plans

Fed. 70 Argues that the creation of one chief executive places

responsibility and blame on the shoulders of one person rather
than dividing it between numerous leaders.

Article II Requires president to be 35+, living in U.S. for 14+ years,

natural-born citizen. Gives power to pardon, appoint
ambassadors and judges, may convene or adjourn Congress.

Checks Impeachment, cannot change salary, advise and consent. Some

powers are explicitly stated, others may be debated as
“inherent”

Early presidents Washington set important standards including 2 terms,

followed until FDR in 30’s. Others had questionable moments
like LA purchase and Monroe Doctrine, but Congress left
superior in most areas, minimal veto use.

Themes in the information:

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Popular Sovereignty

Other questions or inquiries:

I wonder how any one person is able to manage such a stressful operation with so many
moving pieces involved.

3 things learned:
1. Cabinets can include more than secretaries
2. Line-item vetoes
3. The State of the Union address is not required by the Constitution

Relate one thing learned to your life:

Knowing the influence the president can have (eg. The bully pulpit) makes me rethink his role in
legislation and publication of the press.
 Notes Continued
Imperial presidency When a president overreaches boundaries. Nixon admin was
principle example. Stronger president guided by weaker
congress.

Jackson-Lincoln Jackson’s personality plus expanded voting gave him huge

popularity, led to expansion of presidential powers, used veto
more times than all 6 predecessors combined. Next 8 all served
one time and reduced powers until Lincoln vame in.

Lincoln Lincoln expands presidential powers to save the union. Gathers

and expands militia and navy more than Congress allowed,
suspended due processes, suppressed newspapers.

T. Roosevelt and Wilson Both expanded U.S. presence in world affirs and expanded govt.
powers into business and environment. TR offered
“stewardship theory” saying that he worked as steward to
represent and protect Americans, limited only by express
constitutional provisions. Wilson performed first State of the
Union since Adams, gave president platform.

FDR Helped Congress create minimum wage. Social Security, created

public works programs, expanded federal government’s scope
through new administrations. To avoid conservative court
striking down New Deal ideas, tried to pack the court. First 3 rd
term president. Expanded military powers, overruled civil rights
in WW2. Won 4th term.

22nd Amdt Creates 2 term limit officially, adds 10-year total limit. (meaning
if someone is filling a vacancy, they may be able to serve 2 more
terms)

20th Amdt Moves inauguration to Jan. 20th and limits lame-duck period

Honeymoon (first 100 Beginning of presidency finds high approval ratings, large
days) amounts of legislative success, and interest in the president as
they settle in with the nation. President establishes cabinet.

Chief Legislator Given power to suggest measures to Congress, this is an

informal role where pres. uses reputation to support measures.
(FDR and framing New Deal)

Bully Pulpit The media attention given to pres provides huge opportunity to
pitch ideas and gather national support (FDR and the fireside
 chats).

Staff Presidents use staff such as WH Office of Legislative Affairs to

draft legislation and communicate between pres. and congress.

Veto Official vetos involve notifying the chamber of origin why it was
vetoed. Informal veto powers let pres. threaten a veto to
influence legislation before it reaches WH. Either encourages
consensus policy-making and compromise.

Line-item vetos Presidents want power to veto certain expenditures in

appropriations bills w/o vetoing entire bill. Had power
temporaraliy, lost it in Clinton v. New York City. Theory offers
that president is loyal to no one area, so hard cuts are easier

Defensive deployments Presidents have power to deploy troops w/o congress for
defensive reasons. Clinton over assignation attempt on bush,
Obama to find bin Ladin. Some argue this is too far stretched
for defensive measures. Pro-president arguments say that
communication time was longer back then, so president had
time to consult others. Now, decisions must be made in hours
or minutes.

War Powers Act Allowed president powers to deploy troops and react quickly.
Required president to report actions w/in 48 hours.

Diplomacy President to receive ambassadors and make treaties. Works

with secretary of state. Divides powers with Congress which can
influence dimplomatic funds and treaties (senate). President
can create executive agreements w/ other heads of state to
secure promises, only as strong as each side’s agreement,
cannot violate past treaties.

Panama Canal TR struck a deal with Panama rebels to help them gain
independence in exchange for the canal. He secured the plan,
likely arguing defensive maneuvers, and bypassed the Senate’s
ratification. Carter reversed this against strong opposition by
using his persuasion and the bully pulpit to sway congress
members.

Executive orders Orders from the president which have the same impact as a law
but lays within executive authority. Cannot overlap congress,
may be challenged in court, can be overturned in next admin.

Executive privilege Presidents have some immunities in withholding information

 regarding decision making and other matters, they argue this is
a part of separation of powers and that the Constitution doesn’t
require cooperation. Court ruled that some protection exists,
but there is no universal exemption for presidents.

Presidential appointments Presidents appoint around 2,000 people per congress including
cabinet members, agency directors, military directors, and the
support staff around the president.

Cabinet makeup The cabinet includes 15 permenant department heads, but can
be expanded at the will of the president ot include others to
advise them. Choices are often made in part on representation
and diversity.

Agencies Agencies such as the FBI and the Coast Guard fall under other
areas such as the DoJ and the DoHS, but others may be
independent

President’s immediate Executive office of pres.- many advisors, constitutional duties,

staff organizing agencies, budgets, etc.
White House Staff- Staffers can be chosen directly by president
and are loyal to nobody else. Chief of Staff helps manage
staff and support president with advise and influence.
National Security Council- Pres, VP, secretaries of defense and
state, director of the CIA, security advisor, top military
leaders, abd some others. Helps advise president on
threats and actions

Senate rejections Consent is normally routine system, but some nominees are
denied. None were denied until Jackson’s Secretary of treasury.
To date only 9 secrataries have been rejected and 4 were form
the tyler administration. Others have withdrawn

Removal The president can remove most officials at will without

oversight.

Jusicial interactions President enforces judicial orders (such as integration.)

____________________________________________________
reading 2/24/21 pp. 146-

State of the Union Washington and Adams gave reports to Congress in person,
Jefferson used writing, Wilson brought it back.
Manipulation of press Some presidents have planted sympathetic reporters in the
briefing room, paid writers to promote plans, or sent out
government sanctioned news stories

Tech changes comms State of the Union is almost the only universally broadcasted
event, soundbites and headlines win. Obama created Office for
Digital Strateies to play social media game.

Overruling press Many White Houses, including Obama, have controlled the
narrative through hand-crafted publications and photography
along with public appearances to garner public attention.