What powers does the US Constitution give to American presidents and in what ways can presidents seek to expand on those powers?
In constructing an answer, make sure to consider not only the intentions of the Framers, but also the distribution of powers among the branches of government.
The ideal answer should:
a. Discuss how the Constitution gives defined powers to the president in the language of Article II, including, but not limited to, the power to: veto legislation from Congress; fulfill the commander-in-chief function; issue pardons; and call Congress into session. It should be noted that these powers are independent from those of the other branches and that this was a key goal of the Framers.
b. Illustrate how additional powers given to the president are constrained or checked by Congress in some fashion, including the power to: make judicial appointments, fill administrative vacancies, and exercise war-making authority. It should be noted that the Framers were concerned about balancing the threats of both executive tyranny and legislative overreach.
c. Analyze how the enumerated powers are not enough for most presidents to act as they would like and as the public expects them to act, and thusthey have relied on the following mechanisms to augment their power: the vague language of the Constitution, the vague meaning of the public good, congressional statutes, andpolicy innovations of their own invention.
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