Cato Daily Podcast
Best of Cato Daily Podcast: POTUS as Chief Magistrate
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Quick takeaways
- The U.S. founders envisioned the presidency as primarily a defensive role resisting public pressure rather than a national leadership position.
- The dramatic evolution in presidential rhetoric has shifted from restrained engagement to extensive media presence, exemplified by Obama's communication style.
Deep dives
The Original Role of the President
The founders of the United States did not envision the president as a national leader or a figure of popular leadership, which they found to be potentially threatening to the republic. Instead, they defined the presidential role as more defensive, primarily focused on resisting public pressure and exercising the veto to prevent hasty congressional decisions. Historical context reveals that early presidents gave very few public speeches, with notable figures like Washington and Jefferson preferring to limit their public engagement to avoid the influence they might have on legislative matters. This contrasts sharply with contemporary expectations of a president's role, demonstrating a significant shift in public perception and the operational dynamics of the presidency over the years.
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