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Role of the President

• Leader of the Free World

  • The president is considered a leader of the free world, regardless of international opinions.

  • The United States has significant diplomatic power due to over a century of influence.

Executive Agreements

• Definition

  • Similar to executive orders, executive agreements allow presidents to bypass the lengthy Senate approval process.

• Limitations

  • Successors can revoke these agreements, making it essential to establish terms that are difficult to change.

  • Legal language can create binding commitments or funding structures that complicate withdrawal, especially from opposing parties.

Diplomatic Recognition

• Recognition of Governments

  • Countries can refuse to recognize governments based on election integrity issues (e.g., Venezuela).

  • The U.S. historically refrains from recognizing certain governments (e.g., recognizing Israel but not Palestine).

• Global Implications

  • Recognition decisions can influence international relations and alliances.

  • Some countries, like Spain, have recognized Palestine, while the U.S. maintains a careful stance.

Historical Examples of Recognition

• Panama

  • The U.S. recognized Panama after it broke away from Colombian control, particularly due to the importance of the Panama Canal.

• USSR

  • Initially, the U.S. did not recognize the USSR due to its communist regime.

  • FDR later recognized the USSR for practical cooperation despite ideological differences.

• China

  • Nixon initiated détente with China, but Carter was responsible for formal recognition, impacting U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Appointment Power

• Presidential Appointments

  • The president appoints key positions with Senate advice and consent (e.g., cabinet members, Supreme Court justices).

  • Certain positions (e.g., National Security Council members) do not require Senate confirmation.

• Civil Service

  • Civil servants undergo reforms (e.g., Pendleton Civil Service Act) to ensure merit-based recruitment.

  • Civil service personnel are crucial for effective government functioning.

Veto Power and Executive Orders

• Understanding Veto Power

  • The president has the power to veto legislation, with a notable mention of the pocket veto.

  • Congressional supermajority is required to overturn a veto, which is a rare occurrence.

• Historical Executive Orders

  • Key executive orders include FDR's actions related to WWII (e.g., Japanese internment, military desegregation).

  • The transition between administrations often sees a great number of executive orders issued, particularly when parties change.

Political Ideology and Executive Action

• Political Spectrum

  • Political ideology ranges from reactionary to radical, with moderates in between.

  • Changes in executive actions can prompt discussions about returning to earlier policies (e.g., those from FDR or Johnson).

Impact on Other Branches

• Presidential Influence

  • The president can impact legislation, the judicial branch, and offers recommendations for laws.

  • The National Security Council (NSC) provides daily security briefings tailored for the president, ensuring he is informed about global events.