"The greatest source of presidential power is not to be found in the Constitution, but in politics and public opinion." I'm not sure what this means..
2006-10-24 14:20:46 · 17 answers · asked by Rinn 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Read Article II, sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution... compare in with Article I, and you'll see that most of the power rests with the Congress.
Simply put, the president's powers are: he's the Commander-in-Chief, he can appoint officers (military and governmental) and the Supreme Court, and he can negotiate treaties...
But ALL those powers require the advice and consent of the Congress in some form of the other...
Officers and Judges are approved by Congress.
Treaties must be ratified by Congress.
War must be FUNDED by Congress.
Therefore... he must have leadership and political power and skill to get Congress to enact his policies, or to sway the PUBLIC to push Congress to enact his policies.
2006-10-24 14:38:18 · answer #1 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The constitution was written to ensure the rights of the people and establish a government to protect those rights. Politics and public opinion will sway those rights. A wise president will tap into that power source.
2006-10-24 14:25:50 · answer #2 · answered by stevehesterman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Constitution is an old document, politics and public opinion are always changing, vary greatly, and are a lot more open than a document that is general and set.
2006-10-24 14:31:33 · answer #3 · answered by menina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Public opinion can sway the way a president thinks and acts in the scope of his office. The president is a representative of the people. However that rule is on hold with the current administration.
2006-10-24 14:22:26 · answer #4 · answered by BlueSea 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
That means that the power is in the people's opinion, power that the president needs.....
2006-10-25 11:41:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The president's power is in leadership and shaping public opinion. Sure, he can delclare war and veto legislation, but this power pales in comparison with his ability to lead the american people in certain political direction.
2006-10-24 14:22:50 · answer #6 · answered by seantherunner 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Think about it. Clinton is making over 10,000 for every speech he has now. Wouldn't that be easy, you speak your fricken' mind a few times a year and you have made your living.
2006-10-24 14:23:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means his power to influence exceeds his stautory power. It's what is frequently called the "bully pulpit"
2006-10-24 15:25:23 · answer #8 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that if the prez has public opinion behind him, he can do anything he chooses.
2006-10-24 14:25:20 · answer #9 · answered by mandy c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
f**k it doesn't matter anyway cos theres going to be a nuclear holocaust this year. so law will be made obsolete. good thing, its a load of cra* anyway. with all the loopholes, the whole rightchusness (i dont know how to spell that word) and everything is messed up.
2006-10-24 14:23:48 · answer #10 · answered by The One And Only Crazy Fire Luvr 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋