The Various Jobs Of A President: Who Can Perform Them Best?

[DrFunkenstein]

Given that DU often seems to treat the Presidency like a popularity contest or a contest for most innovative campaign, I thought it would be useful to remind people what we are actually voting for.

Chief Executive

A president serves as the government's chief administrative officer, with the responsibility to see that the laws are faithfully executed. He also appoints officials, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The chief executive heads an enormous bureaucracy that became more complex as the federal system grew and increased its functions. Through the cabinet and federal agencies, the president has the power to influence virtually every activity of the national government.

Commander in Chief

The framers of the Constitution wanted to preserve civil authority over the military, and designated the president "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy." During national crises and war, the power of the presidency has increased to include approval of military tactics, control of the economy, and authority to limit the civil rights of Americans at home.

This responsibility has grown dramatically from the time George Washington took up his sword during the Whiskey Rebellion to the day Harry S. Truman authorized dropping an atomic bomb on Japan. The burden of such awesome power rests heavily on every president.

Chief Diplomat

The president is both a national spokesman and a world leader. Increasingly, as representative of a country of immigrants with ties around the globe, he is expected to defend America's security and economic interests, and also to promote democratic principles and human rights internationally.

Several presidents whose domestic policies were frustrated by an uncooperative Congress have focused their attention on foreign affairs, where their power and freedom to determine policy was less hindered.

Manager of the Economy

One of the major reasons for calling delegates to Philadelphia in 1787 was to resolve economic problems arising from the Articles of Confederation. We expect our presidents to maintain prosperity, resolve disruptive strikes, keep employment full and the various markets healthy.

Even though his power to control the economy is actually quite limited, woe to the chief executive who governs during an economic downturn and is perceived as ineffectual or indifferent. The politician in each president knows what it takes to remain popular. In the words of political consultant James Carville, "It's the economy, stupid."

http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/2b1.html

There are other tasks, but these are the four major ones.

1)Chief Executive
2)Commander in Chief
3)Chief Diplomat
4)Manager of the Economy

Now, the question remains: Who among the candidates can best fulfill these roles?

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[drfemoe]

1. Doc Funk

What a great information resource! Thanks for posting this.
A lot to look at and think about.

*eom (for now)

[Jerseycoa]

2. Thank you

Interesting material.

[dsc]

3. Your candidate isn't tops in any of those

Dean is tops in 1 and 4 since he is the only remaining candidate with any experience in that regard and Clark is tops in 2 and 3 since only he has experience in that regard. And remember it is your candidate who harps on experience.

[douginmarshall]

4. Clark is the one

Clark was in charge of a large organization, all the troops and their families in Europe + the troops of all the Nato countries. This would include the education and well being of the families. This would place Clark's experience close to that of the Governor of Vermont.

No one is close to clark as comander and chief or diplomat, his experience speeks for itself.

All of the Washington insiders beat Dean on this one. And Clark's knowledge of Economics makes him a fast study. Remember Bob Rubin is an Advisor.

[dsc]

5. There is a massive difference

between running a base (essentially a dictator) and running a state. Clark has zero experience dealing with a legislature which can prevent him from doing what he wants to do.

[douginmarshall]

7. NATO is more than a base

To think that being the military head of NATO is "running a base" is like saying running a city is like running a state.

[DrFunkenstein]

6. Kerry Chaired Both Anti-Terrorism And Small Business Committees

He fought against a secret, illegal war in Central America. He was the de facto head of a state prosecutor's office. He has worked EXTENSIVELY with foreign diplomats during his 18 years on the foreign relations committee, and is a skilled diplomat himself. He has attended every major environmental conference ever as a representative of the United States. He has a history of slashing bureaucracy and shifting revenue from the military to social needs.

Where other candidates may have strengths in 1 or 2 categories, Kerry is strong in ALL of them. Kerry is the only man in the field that could honestly go toe to toe with the Founding Fathers as a statesman.

People criticize the IWR as a Senatorial decision, but no one can dispute his actual detailed plan of action as a potential executive. Back before Dean had any idea what he would actually do, Kerry had a detailed plan that was EXACTLY RIGHT.

[blm]

8. Kerry was a chief diplomat on Cambodia, Vietnam and the Phillipines

ouster of Marcos. He worked with other world leaders for ten years on the Kyoto Accord. His skills in this area should not go uncredited just for political agendas.