Presidential Norms
This governing norm held that Congress should “originate and perfect” legislation, and not the president
What is Whig Restraint?
This president openly argued that the executive should guide legislation like a “prime minister”
Who is Woodrow Wilson?
This leadership style relied on party unity, compromise, and keeping votes “behind the program”
What is Strategic Leadership? (McKinley)
This paradox occurs when presidents are expected to lead legislation but lack guaranteed congressional support?
What is the Separation-of-powers paradox?
This condition made Congress unusually willing to act quickly during FDR’s presidency
What is the Great Depression?
This belief viewed executive interference in lawmaking as dangerous and undemocratic
What is fear of executive overreach?
This president’s early career reflected a strong deference to Congress despite later expansions of power
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
This leadership style emphasized public pressure and the “bully pulpit,” sometimes alienating Congress
What is Confrontational (or rhetorical) Leadership? (Theodore Roosevelt)
This tension arises when strong leadership risks undermining constitutional limits
What is the leadership vs. restraint paradox?
What is Party Unity and Democratic Control of Congress
This idea treated presidential restraint as a virtue rather than a weakness
What is Legislative Supremacy?
This president’s first hundred days became the benchmark for evaluating legislative sucess
Who is Franklin D. Roosevelt?
This president had ambitious legislatie agenda and goals but failed due to political miscalculation— not lack of effort
Who is William Howard Taft?
This paradox shows that presidntial power often depends more on followers than formal authority
What is the power-without-control paradox?
This condition often accelerates chnges in presidential norms and authority
What is national crisis or emergency?