American Presidency Notes

Constitutional theory- (William Howard Taft) argues that presidential power is strictly limited. According to the constitutional theory, presidents have only those powers that are either enumerated in the Constitution or granted by Congress under its constitutional powers.
Stewardship theory- holds that the president can do anything not explicitly forbidden by the Constitution or by laws passed by Congress under its constitutional powers. Theodore Roosevelt embraced this view. (the executive officer should do all he could do for the people).
Prerogative theory- is the most expansive of the three theories of presidential powers. John Locke defined the concept of prerogative power in his second Treatise of Government as the power to act according to discretion for the public good, without the prescription of the law, and sometimes even against it. The prerogative theory not only allows the president to do anything that is not forbidden but allows them to do things that are explicitly forbidden when in the national interest. (ex: Lincoln at the outset of the Civil War)
Unitary executive- supporters argue that because the president alone possesses the executive power, the president must have absolute control over the executive branch and its administration, including the ability to control all subordinates and to veto or nullify their exercise of discretionary executive power. Moreover the president must be able to fire any executive branch officials at will.
The party nominating convention- an assembly made truly national by including delegates from all the states.
Brokered conventions- might seek a program commitment in the platform, a position in the president’s cabinet, or other forms of federal patronage in return for support.
Primaries- allow a party’s registered voters- and in some states, independents to express a presidential preference that is translated into convention delegates.
Party caucus- another way to select delegates. The caucus is a local