2.7

Introduction to Presidential Powers

• Instructor Introduction: Dr. Briscoe, educator at Suncoast Community High School in River Beach, Florida.

• Expansion of Presidential

• Topic Overview: Discussion on the expansion of presidential powers focused primarily on communication technology's influence on presidential relations with the public and other branches of government.

Lesson Overview

• Objectives: Understanding the changes in presidential communication through technology.

• Key Questions:

  • How has communication technology altered the president's relationship with the national constituency and other branches?

  • How can the communication impact of the president be exhibited through current technologies such as social media?

  • How are the State of the Union address and the president's bully pulpit utilized as agenda-setting tools?

• Task Verbs Identified: Describe, Explain.

Concept of Presidential Influence

• Terminology:

  • Influencing Power: Also known as pressure, persuasion, messaging, and bully pulpit.

  • Bully Pulpit: A position of authority that provides an opportunity to speak out on any issue.

• Definition:The "bully pulpit" is an informal, powerful tool derived from the president's high-visibility position, allowing them to shape public opinion and set the policy agenda by directly addressing the nation

  . Coined by Theodore Roosevelt (meaning "terrific" platform), it enables presidents to bypass Congress and pressure lawmakers to support their policy goals through speeches, media, and, in modern times, social media

• A "bully" (terrific/great) "pulpit" (platform) is a position of authority that provides a terrific opportunity to speak out on any issue.

• Purpose: To influence public opinion, set the national agenda, and pressure Congress to act on the president's legislative agenda.

• Methods: Speeches, press conferences, public appearances, and social media.

• Key Examples:

  • State of the Union Address: A prime, annual, televised opportunity to set the agenda.

  • Theodore Roosevelt: Coined the term, using the presidency to advocate for reforms.

  • Modern Era: Social media (e.g., Twitter/X) allows immediate, direct communication with the public, bypassing traditional media filters.

• Context: It is a key component of the "rhetorical presidency," focusing on the president as the primary communicator of policy goals

Developments in Communication Technology

• Historical Context:

  • Evolution of Presidential Communication: Past constraints versus current capabilities.

  • Role of Communication Teams: Specialized offices assisting presidents in managing communication and public image.

  • Impact of Social Media:

    • Social media has emerged as a preeminent voice in the current landscape, capturing significant public attention through platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, enabling instant communication with the masses.

Changes in Communication Strategies

• Timeline of Communication Upgrades:

  • Presidents have historically connected with journalists, evolving to a comprehensive communications strategy integrating multiple platforms.

• Spin: The practice of presenting information in a way that is favorable to one's position, occasionally leading to misinformation or bias in journalism.

• Examples of Contemporary Practices:

  • Fake Reporters: Instances of planted journalists asking simplified questions to create a favorable narrative during press briefings.

  • Government News Production: Creation of news reports intended to appear as independent news.

Examples Table of Communication Strategies

24-Hour News Cycle and its Effects

• Immediate Access:

  • Shift from cutting into national programming for important messages to utilizing ongoing news coverage.

  • Exception noted for State of the Union addresses, which are traditionally broadcast across major networks.

Case Studies: Obama and Trump

• Barack Obama:

  • Established a strong social media presence through platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and whitehouse.gov, using these for direct communication and to mobilize grassroots support.

  • Utilized graphics to present complicated issues engagingly and understandably, capitalizing on visual data representation to convey messages succinctly.

• Donald Trump:

  • Set new communication standards by labeling mainstream media as "fake news" and frequently engaging with social media to share unfiltered thoughts directly with the public.

  • Practices included announcing unconfirmed policy changes, creating instances of confusion regarding official policy.

  • Comparison made between Trump’s media approach and that of social media influencers.

Official vs. Informal Communication

• Types of Presidential Communication:

  • Official Communication: Includes formal addresses, press conferences, and official statements to communicate substantively with the public and Congress.

  • Informal Communication: Incorporates sound bites, trial balloons, and social media engagement, allowing for more casual and spontaneous interactions.

• Presidential Agenda:

  • The president's agenda sets the political platform for their party, typically articulated during the State of the Union address. The address is a crucial moment for measuring alignment between the president's promises and public expectations.

State of the Union Address

• Constitutional Mandate:

  • The president is required to periodically present the State of the Union to Congress, recommending ideas for policy consideration.

  • Originally focused only on Congress; now accessible to the wider public, fostering transparency.

• Address Characteristics:

  • Delivered annually; outlines proactive and visionary policies for national direction, raising awareness of key issues faced.

  • Reflective aspect discussed, acknowledging current difficulties while presenting solutions.

  • Audience reaction observed, with bipartisan applause being infrequent, often highlighting divisions in Congress.

Influencing Legislation via Media

• Direct Appeals to Public:

  • Presidents may sway reluctant Congressional members through mass media to garner public support for legislation, making use of public opinion to pressure lawmakers.

• Communication Outcomes:

  • Understanding the transformation in communication technology demonstrates how presidents relate to their constituencies and other governmental branches.

  • Engagement through social media allows for immediate discussions even before journalists report on issues, enhancing public discourse.

Summary and Recap

• Key Takeaways:

  • The significant change in communication technology fundamentally reshapes the dynamics between the president, the public, and Congress.

  • The capacity to communicate effectively influences the presidential agenda and public accountability, fostering a nuanced understanding of issues at play in governance.

  • Importance of professional speech writers in crafting impactful addresses like the State of the Union, which serves as an essential communication tool to convey policy direction and garner public support.

• Conclusion:

  • Communication technology actively shapes modern presidency, with the State of the Union address serving a pivotal role in the engagement strategy employed by the president to convey their policy objectives and engage with the national audience.