Debating the Presidency - Book Report/Review Example

Debating the Presidency Introduction The presidential performance is a critical topic for most citizens of any country. In most occasions, questions have been cutting across people mind on issues related to the presidential power of office, balance of power between congress and president and evolution of the institution (Ellis and Nelson 2). These are common issues that are always discussed in any presidential text. The publishing of the book “Debating the Presidency” offer a pivotal view of critically analyzed and debated issues facing the modern presidency on a conflicting perspective (Ellis and Nelson 2). The book offers a pro and con essay which inspires a spirited debate among readers. This paper will critically review contents of the book based on chapter topics and analyze main arguments. Discussion In United States of America the most sensitive position is the presidency. This is by the fact that it is the most powerful position not only in America but to the entire world (Ellis and Nelson 2). The American president is regarded very important to the decision of the UN regarding world security. However, the position is also not very easy to handle. There are numerous critics who always challenge the president in every decision he makes. Before election, the presidential candidates are all engaged in an open debate. It is from this debate where candidates promise Americans on developmental agendas. This book debating the Presidency offers an overall view of critically analyzed and debated issues facing the modern presidency in America (Ellis and Nelson 2). This paper will discuss the critical topics which touch on the presidential leadership. Unitary executive is a myth. There is no day when unitary executive will ever work the way framers of the constitution designed it down on a piece of paper (Ellis and Nelson 4). The reviewed details speculate that the idea of power sharing is a mere dream. Unitary executive governance refers to an executive with reduced shared power with the legislature. The following constitutional mandate of the executive makes the policy unachievable. This is because the president has the following power; he is the commander in chief of the armed forces, he appoints the cabinet principles, he grants pardon for federal offences and many other powerful duties (Ellis and Nelson 4). Despite the constitutional myth of unitary executive, the fact still remain that there is some dictatorship executed by both parties and their supporters (Ellis and Nelson 4). Should the framers of constitution approve modern presidency? Modem presidency is accompanied by overall power and an office that is recognized due to its power. The modern president has the mandate of overruling decision and also initialing developmental plan (Ellis and Nelson 8). The framers of constitution are people who design the constitution before it is adopted (Ellis and Nelson 8). Modern president will always carryout duties in a modern way and will also be much accessible by the public through debates and other forums. The actions of constitution framers was wide seen when they first established a strong, powerful and democratic presidency rules and structures (Ellis and Nelson 12). According to the framers of constitution, the modern presidency is the only signature allowed to take into account everything the public demand or have opinion on (Ellis and Nelson 12). It should be noted that this is by far different to dictatorship and hybrid of the past presidency. The modern president according to framers of constitution will also be friendly to people. Modern presidency will be a symbol of motivation to everybody impacted with series of creative ideas meant to build the nation. Power granted to the president will be used for development and promotion of regional integration among the states (Ellis and Nelson 12). The question as to whether the cabinet should be involved in national policy making should never be encouraged. This is because the cabinet may favor the president side in policy development thus killing democracy. This is seen by the virtue that it is the president himself who appoint the cabinet (Ellis and Nelson 15). Some of the influential powers that can alter cabinet decision include the power to dismiss and reappoint the cabinet members (Ellis and Nelson 15). This means that decision cabinet principles make always favors the presidents wish and this cannot be reflecting pure independency (Ellis and Nelson 15). There will be no equality if cabinet are engaged as key members in policy making. Cabinet can serve an important role of contribution but not formulation of policy President has too much power in appointing the judges. It should be noted that the presidency is an open and top most position in a country. It is also resolved in the book that the president has too much power in appointment of judges (Ellis and Nelson 20). This allegation is not valid. The fact is that the constitution allows the president to nominate the justices. Whoever is painful of the powers of the president should move and have a closer watch. The fact is that the constitution requires the senate to approve and gives consent to the nominees the presidents appoints (Ellis and Nelson 20). This is so only with mere advice or consent from the senate. On the other hand, this statement is contradicting to what critics think. It is not right saying that the president enjoys power of appointment alone. The truth is that there is that the president shares appointment of public service responsibilities with the senate. This was activated the day framers of the constitution designed the US constitution (Ellis and Nelson 20). But the contradicting statement is that the power is shared with the senate who have a bigger decision making part in regard to justices nomination (Ellis and Nelson 20). The book opens debate on issues concerning the fact that the presidents cabinet members should have a larger role in the formation of public policies (Ellis and Nelson 20). Furthermore, the US constitution explains it very well that it is the role and mandate of the president to pick and appoint his/her own cabinet secretary (Ellis and Nelson 20). This is the only venue where the president openly enjoys unitary decision making. However, it is not easy because the regulation of valid appointment is stated clearly in the constitution. The allowed limits and balance considering gender equality are some of the key elements the constitution dictates over to the president (Ellis and Nelson 20). The book opens debate on issues concerning the fact that the presidents cabinet members should have a larger role in the formation of public policies (Ellis and Nelson 20). Furthermore, the US constitution explains it very well that it is the role and mandate of the president to pick and appoint his/her own cabinet secretary (Ellis and Nelson 20). This is the only venue where the president openly enjoys unitary decision making. However, it is not easy because the regulation of valid appointment is stated clearly in the constitution. The allowed limits and balance considering gender equality are some of the key elements the constitution dictates over to the president (Ellis and Nelson 20). Should political parties allowed to choose their candidates via national primaries? This is one of the most challenging and difficult proposal assigned to the presidential secretariat. Before this proposal, political parties mostly conducted their presidential elections independently without external pressure (Ellis and Nelson 30). Most of the elections that take place are always accompanied with violence. The constitution should facilitate and allow political parties to nominate candidates for presidency through national primaries (Ellis and Nelson 30). This is a heavy discussion which should be supported and also rejected. To begin is the statement that national primaries should be discouraged since it promoted late convection caused by campaign finance laws (Ellis and Nelson 30). When activated and incorporated into the constitution, the normal practices like fundraising conducted by political parties most precisely after the convection will be prohibited (Ellis and Nelson 30). Moreover, national primaries should be discouraged since it consumes much time; which is not in accordance with the primary calendar. On the other side, the advantage of national primaries is the fact that it helps in exposing and campaigning for the candidate (Ellis and Nelson 30). When national primaries are on going, by the virtue that it is being held nationally; this will ensure that everybody knows the candidate and even hear his/her manifesto (Ellis and Nelson 30). Additionally, national primary will market the political party and its candidates since it will cover the entire nation (Ellis and Nelson 30). According to this book, the debate on whether the president should be nominated by people directly is a critical point that requires strong analysis (Ellis and Nelson 30). The American constitution requires the president to be elected by the Electoral College. Although it is argued that the policy following presidential election by Electoral College is favoring some people, the discussion is still wide open for possible changes (Ellis and Nelson 30). The main objective is to discourage direct election of the president by the people discrimination (Ellis and Nelson 30). Allowing people to vote directly will also promote socially uncouth culture. Conclusion In summary, it is clear that this debating exercise on the president is very healthy. Much more information is revealed and publicized for the general public to be aware. The presidency is still the most demanded position in the US. The book debates on whether the presidential position is still the top most powerful position everyone wish to have. This is supported by the fact that powers president enjoys is far from any other position in America. Works Cited Ellis and Nelson. Debating the Presidency. 2010. Web. 24 April, 2014. Read More