The presidential veto : touchstone of the American presidency

This is the first modern study of the veto. In addition to tracing the genesis and historical evolution from Ancient Rome, through the ultimate inclusion in the Constitution, it also explores the veto’s consequences for modern presidents. In doing so, Spitzer promotes a key argument about the relation between the veto power and the Presidency--namely, that the rise of the veto power, beginning with the first Chief Executive, is symptomatic of the rise of the strong modern Presidency, and has in fact been a major tool of Presidency-building. A special and revealing irony of the veto power is seen in the finding that, despite its monarchical roots and anti-marjoritarian nature, the veto has become a key vehicle for presidents to appeal directly to, and on behalf of, the people. Thus, the veto’s utility for presidents arises not only as a power to use against Congress, but also as a symbolic, plebiscitary tool. This is the first modern study of the veto. In addition to tracing the genesis and historical evolution from Ancient Rome, through the ultimate inclusion in the Constitution, it also explores the veto's consequences for modern presidents. In doing so, Spitzer promotes a key argument about the relation between the veto power and the Presidency — namely, that the rise of the veto power, beginning with the first Chief Executive, is symptomatic of the rise of the strong modern Presidency, and has in fact been a major tool of Presidency-building.A special and revealing irony of the veto power is seen in the finding that, despite its monarchical roots and anti-majoritarian nature, the veto has become a key vehicle for presidents to appeal directly to, and on behalf of, the people. Thus, the veto's utility for presidents arises not only as a power to use against Congress, but also as a symbolic, plebiscitary tool.Robert J. Spitzer is Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at State University of New York College at Cortland. Author of The Presidency and Public Policy: The Four Arenas of Presidential Power and The Right to Life Movement and Third Party Politics, he is currently serving as a member of the New York State Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution. In this first modern study of the core power of the presidency, Spitzer traces the genesis and historical evolution of veto from Ancient Rome and Britain, through its adoption at the Philadelphia Convention, and the many disputes and controversies over its use. Not only does Spitzer bring the subject up to date, he argues persuasively that the veto power is an integral part of the modern presidency. He shows how it has become a key vehicle for presidents to appeal directly to, and on behalf of the people, and that is not merely a power to use against the U.S. Congress but also a symbolic plebiscitary tool. He also devotes separate chapters to the pocket veto and the item veto, carefully analyzing their mechanics, the legal fights, and political accommodations entered into by Congress and the President, and examines the use of item veto by governors Robert J. Spitzer ; With A Foreword By Louis Fisher. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 159-171.