PRESIDENCY

Framers' view of Congress

The framers regarded Congress as the preeminent component of the federal government.

Framers' view of the presidency

The framers expected the president to provide national leadership, administer laws, direct foreign affairs, and command the military.

Presidential power

A president's power has largely depended on whether circumstances favor strong presidential leadership.

Whig theory

Views the presidency as a limited office whose occupant primarily carries out the will of Congress.

Stewardship theory

Holds that the president can do anything not expressly forbidden by the Constitution or statutes.

Theodore Roosevelt

Associated with shifting emphasis from Whig theory toward stewardship theory.

Formal constitutional barriers to the presidency

Natural-born citizenship, at least 35 years of age, and at least 14 years of U.S. residency.

Chief diplomat

The president's diplomatic role based largely on the power to appoint and receive ambassadors.

Federalist No. 69

Alexander Hamilton's discussion of limits on presidential war powers and unilateral presidential action.

War Powers Act

A law enacted to limit the president's war-making power.

PLUM Book

Lists positions in the federal administration to which the president can appoint people.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Includes the Office of Management and Budget, National Economic Council, National Security Council, Office of Legislative Affairs, and related units.

Modern presidential news influence

Modern presidents can rapidly shape the news cycle, including through social media.

Administrative state

The federal administrative system, which Federalist arguments say should do the will of the president to maintain accountability.

Honeymoon period

The first part of a president's term.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Noted for accomplishing more in the first few months than any other president in a comparable period.

Most important factor in presidential congressional success

The partisan makeup of Congress.

Joe Biden's 2020 vice-presidential selection

Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris of California.

Strong Republican states

States such as Texas that consistently vote Republican in presidential elections.