Lesson 5.02 Powers of the President

Complete 5.02 Presidential Powers. You may use any materials from the lesson to complete the task.

When you finish the task, submit it to 5.02 Presidential Powers Dropbox.

The 1908 illustration below, titled "Rough on Cats", shows then-president Theodore Roosevelt delivering a jolt of electric current through a pair of winding wires that spell out the words "Presidential Message" to two sleeping cats labeled "House" and "Senate". It was Roosevelt who first referred to the presidency as a "bully pulpit."

Task Directions:

Study the illustration above closely and try to answer the following questions (you may use any material from this lesson to help support your answer):

• What does this illustration suggest about the President's informal powers to influence or set the political agenda?
• What resources does the President have today that make that "bully pulpit" even stronger?
• Does the informal power of total media access give the President too much power today? Explain your answers.

When you have formulated a solid answer to all three questions, follow the directions below to comeplete the task.

1. Go to 5.02 Presidential Powers Discussion and post your answers to the three questions above. Be sure to answer thoughtfully in at least five to six sentences.
   
   
2. Respond to the thoughts of one classmate's post with whom you agree by writing at least two sentences explaining why you agree with his or her post. Be sure to share a reason for your support that is not mentioned in his or her post.
   
   
3. Respond to the thoughts of one classmate's post with whom you disagree by writing at least two sentences explaining why you disagree with his or her post. Be respectful and have evidence to support your statements.