a." The Article at length describes non-powerrelated aspects of the Presidency (election, length of term, eligibility, compensation, oath of office), and then spells out more specifically the executive powers: "The president shall be commander in chief of the army and navy . . . and of the militia . . . " (Constitution Article II).
Some of these specific powers seem unnecessarily spelled out: "He may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices . . . " Other powers are more understandably specified: "He shall have the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment" (Constitution Article II).
The Constitution spells out other powers. The President can make treaties, with the advice and consent of the Senate. With the same advice and consent, he can appoint ambassadors, judges and others. He is required to deliver state of the union addresses, and can present programs to the Congress for foreign and domestic policies: "He shall . . . recommend to (the Congress) to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient" (Constitution Article II). The latter is a seemingly innocuous little power which in fact contains the essence of the power of the President to make policy at home and abroad.
The Constitution goes on to give to the courts, ultimately to the Supreme Court, the duty and responsibility of determining any problems which arise with respect to the dictates of the Constitution, which of course includes questions about the power, or absence thereof, of the President.
The Constitutional Convention in its earlier stages "conferred only three powers on the president: 'to carry into effect the National laws,' 'to appoint to offices in cases not otherwise provided for,' and to veto bills" (de Boinville, 1982, p. 75). ...