Evaluate The View That A President’s Popularity Is The Most Important Factor Determining Their Power. (30)

AGREE 1

High approval ratings provide a president with increased influence. A popular President can exert influence over members of Congress within their own party to support key policies.

Trump low approval ratings limited his ability to implement key policies e.g Congress refused to fully fund US-Mexico Border wall and attempts to repeal ACA were unsuccessful.

 

DISAGREE 1.1

Divided government can limit president’s power as the opposing party controls congress which makes it hard to pursue agenda.

Obama failed to appoint SC justice under divided govt as REP – controlled senate refused to hold hearings or vote on the nomination of Merrick Garland.

DISAGREE 1.2

unified government, the President is better able to pursue their legislative agenda.

Trump was able to secure major legislative victories, such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and appoint 3 conservative Supreme Court justices.

AGREE 2

Congress only going to support president’s agenda if they are popular so it doesn’t harm their chances of getting re-elected

2018 midterms trumps approval ratings lowered contributing to democrats to gain control over the house weakening trump’s ability to pass legislation through congress

Congress little incentive to defend trump after his impeachment.

DISAGREE 2

Power of persuasion more important as persuading congress to support policies is necessary to achieve legislative priorities.

President Biden, in his efforts to pass the American Rescue Plan, delivered a series of speeches highlighting the urgent need for COVID-19 relief.

His address to the nation in March 2021 laid out the benefits of the plan in direct, empathetic terms, aiming to create public momentum for its passage.

AGREE 3

Presidents unable to make long term changes through unilateral action as executive orders can be repealed by the future presidents.

Trump repealed many changes implemented by Obama including two key exec agreements: the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement which he left again in his 2^nd term after biden rejoined.

DISAGREE 3

President can use unilateral action to achieve legislative goals when unpopular

Obama 2010 midterms REP gained control over house leading to divided govt. popularity weakened and congress unwilling to support legislative agenda he failed to pass the DREAM ACT. As a result Obama implemented The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through an executive order