Actions And Behavior Of The President Essay -- essays research papers

Actions and Behavior of the PresidentThe bulky language of the second member of the make-up left manyquestions ab away the power and authority of the President and the Executivebranch of the federal Government. Since George Washington, each Chief Executivehas come to the scene with different beliefs on the responsibility and powerof the President. However the performance of the president is often shaped by appearside f affectors which control how he must act as a Chief Executive. Thebehavior of presidents come from a number of different criteria. A presidentspersonal character, his approach to the position and circumstances during histerm totally contribute to presidential behavior.Presidents have approached the office from two vague positions. Theyhave believed, to varying degrees, that either the president has a strongleadership position and broad powers to direct the nation in one direction, orthat the president has very limited powers dictated by the Constitution andshould act like a drumhead administrator for the Federal Government. These beliefswere reflected in their behavior while in the White House. Franklin Rooseveltbelieved that the Federal Government had an obligation and interest in bringingthe nation out of the depression. In order to do this he initiated a number ofagencies and projects to employ people. In the first "Hundred Days" ofRoosevelts first term he initiated a number of programs which increased thesize of the Federal Government and the power of the President. He did all thathe could to see that his proposals were put into place. This included a failedcourt packing scheme to have a more friendly Supreme Court to find his programsconstitutional (Lowi and Ginsberg230.) In contrast to this belief in broad presidential authority by FranklinRoosevelt was Howard Taft. Taft believed that Presidential authority was verylimited the constitution and had to be specifically granted to the President byCongress or the Constitution (Lo wi and Ginsberg 220.) Another example of apassive approach to the presidency to is George Washington. While he is oftenseen as a very influential president, his position as the first Presidentrequire that he had to set many standards. In fact President Washington hopedthat the presidency would not be dominate. In his startup address he arguedfor a strong legislature which he r... ...t must deal with, it does notnecessarily explain how he comes to a position on issues and deals with problems.     The behavior of a President can only be explained as a combination ofmany factors. His personal politics and approach to the power of the governancewill explain if he will try to lead the whole government and beyond that thewhole nation, or if he will act as a clerk, putting into action the orders ofCongress. A Presidents character and style of leadership are an importantfactor in his approach to leadership. The size and duty of the FederalGovernment also effect a Pres idents behavior and the priorities of his office.Finally a President must react to events at home and abroad which are out of hiscontrol. The pressures that these events and the public reaction to themprobably have the greatest influence over his behavior and decisions.     Actions and behavior of a President are the result of a coordination compound set ofcircumstances. No one criteria can be used to explain the behavior of thepresident in any event. Explaining actions on the basis of one criteria is vapid and should be reserved to talk radio hosts.