Roosevelt vs. Taft

How much power should the president have? It’s a question that is debated even by the people that hold the office.

Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft have very different opinions about how to run an executive branch. Teddy Roosevelt believed in the “stewardship theory,” meaning that the president could do anything that was not forbidden in the Constitution. Roosevelt believed that “there inheres in the Presidency more power than in any office in any great republic or constitutional monarchy in modern times.” He believed that a president should use every ounce of power available to him. Roosevelt is often credited with bringing aggression and leadership to the presidency. At the same time, when he sent troops to Cuba in 1906, many people criticized him for not consulting Congress.

Taft, on the other hand, believed in strictly following the Constitution.

“The true view of the executive functions is, as I conceive it, that the president can exercise no power which cannot be fairly and reasonably traced to some specific grant of power or justly implied and included within such express grant as proper and necessary to its exercise. Such specific grant must be either in the federal Constitution or in an act of Congress passed in pursuance thereof. There is no undefined residuum of power which he can exercise because it seems to him to be in the public interest. . . . The grants of executive power are necessarily in general terms in order not to embarrass the executive within the field of action plainly marked for him, but his jurisdiction must be justified and vindicated by affirmative constitutional or statutory provision, or it does not exist.” – William Howard Taft

Taft’s view of the presidency can be viewed as constitutionally correct. The Constitution states, “He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.” Although the Constitution is vague, it’s clear that the president is supposed to receive the advice and consent of the Senate. Although Taft did not see himself as a weak president, people could argue that a president who doesn’t show authority and enforce in a strong executive isn’t effective. By following Taft’s view, the president is less likely to accomplish as much during his or her term as a president who follows Roosevelt’s beliefs.

I think a hybrid of both Roosevelt and Taft is best. Although I like Roosevelt’s reasoning, I must agree with Taft that the president should not have too much power. I’ve always seen Congress as a very powerful branch of government, and if the executive is given too much power, then it takes away power from Congress. In many ways, representatives in Congress know the American people better than the president does because they interact with their constituents more often. When it comes to passing a bill such as the recent health care law, I think it’s important that we follow Taft’s model. The president shouldn’t be able to pass a piece of legislature of that size without Congress’ approval.

However, I do believe Roosevelt’s theory is good in times of war. For instance, after an event or natural disaster such as September 11, the president needs to be able to make quick decisions without the approval of Congress or other powers. Giving this much power to the president during times of war or natural disaster could be good and bad. If the president messes up without consulting others, it could be detrimental to one’s presidency. But if the president makes a quick decision that is effective in times of tumult, it could benefit the country. It’s the American people’s job to elect a president that can lead during dire circumstances. Our Congress is known for taking a long time to make decisions and pass legislature, therefore when the country is in a state of emergency it’s important that the president can make a quick decision.

Atthe end of the day, the Constitution is vague enough that the president in power can decide what kind of executive he or she wants to conduct. Although I believe in a hybrid of both Taft and Roosevelt, it ultimately depends on the personality and characteristics of the person in office.