Power of the President
U.S. president is the most powerful elected position in the world
If there were any doubts before, the 2004 elections really proved this statement. The president put on an extraordinary campaign to elect his supporters to the House and Senate and he was most successful.
When we see the president on TV or in the newspaper, often the news reports
cover the president’s ceremonial duties in welcoming foreign dignitaries,
awarding medals or presiding at state dinners. While our attention is focused
on these colorful activities it is easy to overlook the enormous powers we grant
to the chief executive when we cast our votes. The president of the United States
is the most powerful elected executive position in the world. The president’s
ideas will be incorporated into policies and acts that will affect the life of
every citizen. What are some of the powers exercised by the president? In addition
to his responsibility for upholding the Constitution and enforcing the laws of
the land, he has extensive powers in the following areas:
Foreign policy
The president formulates foreign and military policy that determines issues of war and peace. As commander-in-chief of the armed forces and chief executive of the nation, the president has extensive power to act independently of Congress. Without consulting Congress, President Harry S. Truman ordered the atom bombing of Japan; President John F. Kennedy approved the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba; President Ronald Reagan sent troops to Leban-on, invaded Grenada, stationed troops in Central America and adopted the “reflagging” policy in the Persian Gulf.
Legislation
The president sets the legislative agenda for Congress and a budget for the nation.
The president may:
• Personally lobby for or against bills.
• Veto bills that he opposes (Vetoes are seldom overturned).
• Impound funds already appropriated by Congress against his wishes. Presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon impounded billions of dollars.
Appointments
A new president appoints between 3,000 and 4,000 people to high-ranking posts in government agencies. He nominates Cabinet secretaries and agency heads who agree with his philosophy of government to offices such as: secretary of labor, OSHA, National Labor Relations Board, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Trade Commission, federal judges and Supreme Court Justices. The nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Shaping public opinion
Presidents mold public opinion in support of their ideas, programs and policies through television appearances, press conferences, and speeches to the nation and to joint sessions of Congress.
