Undermining the Presidency

TL;DR

The American presidency has become the most important institution due to congressional deadlock and the need for a strong national security state. Efforts to delegitimize individual presidents may also delegitimize executive power.

Transcript

(celebratory music) - Well, I'm Jack Rackove. I've taught at Stanford University since 1980. I'm first and foremost a historian of the American Revolution and the origins of the Constitution. I've come to think that of all the institutions we have, particularly given the repeated deadlock in Congress, the presidency has become the most important of... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 The presidency has become essential in a dangerous world and when Congress is deadlocked.
• ✊ Delegitimization efforts against individual presidents may also undermine the very nature of executive power.
• ⏮️ Efforts to delegitimize previous presidents, such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, have been observed.
• 😀 The next president, whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, is likely to face delegitimization efforts.
• 🇺🇸 The need for a national popular election, with equal weight for each vote, has been proposed in the United States.
• ⛽ Efforts to delegitimize presidents may be fueled by opposition and controversies surrounding their elections.
• 🏈 Barack Obama's election as the first African American president was a significant moment in American history, but it did not lead to a post-racial society.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why has the presidency become the most important institution?

The dangerous world we live in demands a vigorous national security state, and when Congress is paralyzed, rule-making needs to be done, making the presidency crucial.

Q: What is the consequence of delegitimizing individual presidents?

When individual presidents are delegitimized, it may also delegitimize the very nature of executive power, undermining the effectiveness of the presidency.

Q: How have previous presidents been delegitimized?

Bill Clinton faced opposition due to the Whitewater scandal, George W. Bush's legitimacy was questioned due to the Bush-Gore election and reliance on the Supreme Court, and Barack Obama faced overtly racist opposition.

Q: Will efforts to delegitimize presidents continue in the future?

Yes, regardless of whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton gets elected, it is likely that the next presidency will face efforts towards delegitimization.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The presidency has become the most important institution due to the dangerous world and the need for a vigorous national security state.

• Rule-making is necessary when Congress is paralyzed, leading to the importance of the executive power.

• Efforts to delegitimize past presidents, such as Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, may continue with the next presidency.