Mastering the Room

Former Trump Administration Official Joe Grogan and Author Kenneth Lowande Talk Presidential Power

Episode Summary

Casey Burgat, Kenneth Lowande, and Joe Grogan discuss the dynamics of presidential power—particularly in the context of executive actions and their consequences. They explore the symbolic versus substantive nature of presidential actions, the challenges of legislative processes, and the expectations placed on presidents by the public. The discussion highlights the bandwidth constraints presidents face and the tendency for Congress to cede power to the executive branch, leading to a cycle of inflated expectations and potential policy failures.

Episode Notes

Links

• Kenneth Lowande, Associate Professor of Political Science, Associate Professor of Public Policy (by Courtesy), Faculty Associate at the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan
  • Latest book, False Front: The Failed Promise of Presidential Power in a Polarized Age
  • At UM
• Joe Grogan, Former Director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States under President Donald J. Trump and Senior Fellow USC Schaeffer Center
  • On Twitter
  • At USC
• 2024 GSPM Election Hub, for post-election analysis and insights from experts in the Graduate School of Political Management

Takeaways

• Presidential power is often more about perception than substance.
• Executive actions can provide symbolic benefits without real follow-through.
• The Domestic Policy Council plays a crucial role in shaping policy initiatives.
• Legislative action is often sidelined in favor of quicker executive decisions.
• Expectations from the public drive presidents to act swiftly, sometimes recklessly.
• Bandwidth and capacity constraints limit what presidents can realistically achieve.
• Congress has ceded significant power to the executive branch over time.
• Inflated expectations can lead to worse policy outcomes.
• The political system incentivizes presidents to make bold promises.
• Bipartisanship is essential for effective governance and legislative action.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Presidential Power
• 02:23 The Premise of Presidential Actions
• 05:33 The Role of the Domestic Policy Council
• 10:59 Symbolism vs. Substance in Executive Actions
• 14:44 The Challenges of Legislative Action
• 19:37 Expectations and the Need for Action
• 23:34 Bandwidth and Capacity Constraints
• 26:45 The Legislative Branch and Executive Overreach
• 30:31 The Real Root of Presidential Power
• 35:30 Inflated Expectations and Shared Responsibility