Essay - Constitutional Authority Examining the Nature and Growth of Presidential Powers...

Constitutional Authority

Examining the Nature and Growth of Presidential Powers

Since ***** United States Constitution *****ficially took effect in 1788, very few changes to the document have been made, yet in spite of the relative static nature of the *****, the power of the American presidency has increased. And ra*****r than fight against the expanding authority of ***** president, the American public seems ***** embrace an ever-enlarging assumption of ***** by the president. Americ*****s want ********** president to be strong but not overreaching, decisive but inclusive, commanding but not overbearing. It is these kinds of demands on the American chief politician that have stretched the powers of the presidency. Today, ***** office has grown to immense proportions not just in the United States, but in the eyes of the entire world. This all takes place in ***** ***** the efforts of various individuals, groups and even nations ***** attempt to reign in the power of the leader of the world. Interestingly, this enlargement ***** the presidency has occurred in spite of the "legislative supremacy"1 many of ***** framers intended.

The constitutional ***** of the ***** as enumerated by Article II of the constitution outlines a position with a great deal of authority, however because of ***** ***** of specific ***** holders, presidential ***** have stretched beyond the confines envisioned ***** some ***** the founding fathers.

***** efforts ***** been possible ***** the "strength [of the presidency] is its malleability"2 which allows visionary and ambitious individuals an opportunity ***** build upon what they are given. But in spite of the best efforts by each man that has held the *****fice, the ***** rema*****s quite separate from ***** president. ***** idea is manifest with each transition of power from one president to the next. New presidents bring their own ambitions, desires and appetites ***** the job necessarily changing the way in ***** the various *****s of the president are brought to bear on any ***** **********. ***** that are gained ***** a ***** as a result ***** initiative, drive or force, naturally escape the grasp of ***** man once the office ***** been yielded up to another.

***** better underst***** the constitutional ***** of the president, it will be helpful ***** examine the powers specifically enumerated by the constitution. Over ***** years, "new" powers have been afforded the American leader with some authority that would more appropriately find its place within a monarchy. But the expansion of power and the adoption of new ***** have not happened as a natural evolution ***** ***** office. Rather, the incre*****ed authority has resulted from ***** efforts of specific men whose personalities stretched the office to fit more comfortably around them. Once acquired, however, the *****s did ***** recede ***** instead remained within the office regardless of exercise. Ultimately, new powers are challenged through mechanisms devised by ***** founders ***** keep the presidency from evolving into a monarchy. Some of the powers are stripped a***** while others have remain in *****. Throughout the ebb and flow