Analyze the president's role as chief legislator and lobbyist. ...

[codyclark]

Analyze the president's role as chief legislator and lobbyist. What role does the president play in initiating legislation, and how does the president lobby for passage of legislation?
 
  What does the president need to do effectively in order to be successful in this role?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How would you characterize President Obama's presidency? Has he been a successful or a disappointing president? Justify your answer with details from the text. Summarize your opinion and rationale.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[tkempin]

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Review the president's role in initiating national policy, noting that about 80 percent of the bills considered by Congress originate in the executive branch.
2. Note that the president's role as initiator of legislation is designated in the Constitution and that presidents have a strong incentive to fulfill this responsibility, since the public holds them responsible for anything that happens during their term of office.
3. Describe how presidents lobby with Congress on the legislation they initiate, such as using their staff to organize and follow up on bills, granting or withholding favors, and garnering public support for legislative proposals.
4. Mention success factors outside the president's control, including the honeymoon period, which is the best opportunity for a president to get legislative proposals enacted into law, and the control of Congress by the president's party.
5. Discuss how the president can also use veto power, since even the threat of veto enhances the president's bargaining power; this tool is especially useful to a president facing a Congress controlled by the opposition party.

Answer to Question 2

Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Explain whether or not President Obama has been successful.
2. Provide evidence from the text to support claim.
3. Include a conclusion that summarizes your opinion and rationale.

[codyclark]

Thank you

[tkempin]

Happy to help you