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What's the presidency's core business?

Posted by Manictastic • 9/16/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: presidency

I've been following the drama of the US elections for quite some while now and everytime it strucks me as odd when people try so hard at placing the electorate in boxes. Isn't it the core business of the president to unite all the states with the US? I don't get why the candidates are always attacking each other and their followers. I don't get why partisanship plays such a mayor part. Shouldn't everyone in the US stick together now the most, during these rough periods? Shouldn't the president try and balance the extreme pressures and help create a open debate about the best solution to America's problems? Isn't that his main job?

User Comments

9/16/08

xmarks

Ever see people slow down to watch someone driving well? Probably not. People will stop on the high way to get a glimpse of a car wreck on the other side. The news media isn't there to inform us, it is there to make money. It makes money by ratings and people will watch if there is a car wreck. A politician standing up and saying let's fix this doesn't get the media attention nor the attention of the voters. The bigger car wreck a politican can show, the more exposure s/he'll get on media and to voters.

I wish things were the way you suggest. I just don't see it happening in my lifetime.

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9/16/08

Anok

The president's job is to balance out the branches of the Federal Government. In theory, this means bipartisanship - in reality those in power will act as any people in power - in the best interests of a few. Usually themselves, but still...

The problem right now is that whenever a country begins to hit the skids, people quarrel more than they unite. Money, national safety, personal safety - everyone is feeling pain in some way - so, they immediately go to blame the other crowd.

Placing blame appropriately is OK, however in this case you have select groups who favor a particular type of government that would further the same type of government that is to be blamed for this mess in the first place, and whatever is at stake (power, money, prestige) seems to weigh more importantly than the welfare of the country.

And so, the divide and fighting.

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9/16/08

RuinousRight

I think divide and conquer is definitely the strategy of one of the parties. Unfortunately however the attacks come from all sides and I think xmarks and Anok both offer good insight. We should all be focusing on the issues because that's what really matters and in the end we are all ONE.

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9/16/08

MadameX

"Shouldn't everyone in the US stick together now the most, during these rough periods?"

The thing to remember is that it isn't a "rough period" for everyone. There are plenty who are profiting from the crises that are driving others under, so sticking together only makes sense if people have more in mind than their own interests. Most don't.

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9/16/08

clioandme

Bully pulpit, a huge responsibility and opportunity lost on Bush

Executive and therefore enforcer of the laws (as opposed to undermining the ones he doesn't like, as Bush has done in so many areas)

Commander in chief, which is about the armed forces

Main representative vis-a-vis other countries. Determines foreign policy and its tone.

Signs legislation, which he can veto

Appointment of judges

Many other important federal appointments that can result in the enforcement or abuse of the law, as we've seen with Bush

(In response to your comments, Mani, it helps if the president acts like we're all Americans, but that isn't a requirement, strictly speaking. Certainly not on Bush's or McCain's list of priorities.)

[reply]
1. 9/17/08
  
  Manictastic
  
  Do I detect a bit of resentment in that comment regarding your dearly beloved president
  
  I knew he had to do most of those things, but for some reason I always considered a president of a nation so vaste and diverse to have a president who can actually bring people together instead of dividing them. But it's true that the media adores extremists a lot more than moderates.
2. 9/17/08
  
  clioandme
  
  Depends on the country's constitution. In parliamentary systems, the president can be just a friendly old figurehead whom all like. That's how it works in Germany because of its Weimar experiences. France's situation is different. Once you get a president involved in the political process, he's going to look dirty to some, though there are degrees of how many people the president alienates. Bush set a standard all his own.
9/16/08

Wisco

US Constitution, Article II, Section 1

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

[reply]
1. 9/16/08
  
  clioandme
  
  Oh that. I thought Bush had erased that part.