Presidential Theory

I disagree with Stephen Hess’ contention that modern President’s are woefully miscast in the role of manager of the Executive Branch. The Office of The President in its infancy acted strictly as a Chief Executive, by enforcing Congressional legislation that had been passed into law. As the government continued to develop, The President took on more responsibility acting in the capacity as Chief Administrator; by initiating legislation through a top-down process. Today, the President has developed into a combination of the aforementioned roles. The President manages his White House staff, as well as the nation, in order to attain a less hectic, more structured, effective leadership. Constitutional empowerment, presidential character, and public expectations have always and will continue to shape the fundamental managerial role of President of The United States.

The blueprint of the Office of The Presidency can be traced back to1777, when the state of New York passed their Constitution. The Constitution of the state of New York gave only the “Governor” ultimate executive power, stressed the importance of a strong chief executive, granted reprieves and pardons, as well as the establishment of the State of the Union address. The Final aspect of the NY Constitution found in the Constitution today, which clearly is a managerial task, is the power of the Presidential veto. By exercising this power, the President is clearly managing Congress, for if not in the best interest of the nation, it is the President’s responsibility to block the legislation, and give constructive feedback to Congress, with hopes of seeing a revised edition before him as soon as possible. All of the aforementioned aspects of the New York state Constitution can be found in Article II of the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Constitution is the building block for the President’s role as Chief Executive. Through the vesting clause of Article II- paragraph one- executive power is placed exclusively in the President’s hands. Article II-Section III authorizes the President “… to give Congress information of the State of The Union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient”, known commonly as the annual The State of the Union address. Through the State of the Union address the President demonstrates another important aspect of h...

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...uing Executive Orders that are backed by the force of said laws. The President still supervises the implementation of laws by directing administrative agencies, such as the Department of Interior and the Department of Defense. The President’s responsibilities have remained the same since 1788, yet they have been added to with every newly elected President.

Although the evolution of the Presidency is an interesting subject and I respect Professor Hess’ opinion, it is clear to me that The Office of The President of The United States of America, has since its infancy, and will continue to be in the future, a strong, decisive, informed, position, in which only the most brilliant, motivated, and disciplined are able to manage.

Works Cited

1. The American Presidency Origins and Development. Sidney M. Milkis & Michael Nelson, Congressional Quarterly 1994. pages 82, 263, 293.

2. Organizing the Presidency, Stephen Hess. Brookings Institute 2002.

3. www.encarta.com

4. The Power of the Modern Presidency, Erwin C. Hargrove. Alfred A. Knopf, INC 1974, pg. 304.