Presidential Independence and Isolation

Abstract

Republican ideas required the separation of the executive from other institutions, but they did not stipulate how separate institutions would check one another. The delegates worked out these issues piece by piece, trying to balance executive powers with protections against the abuse of executive power. After the Connecticut Compromise, the struggle for executive independence spilled over into decisions about the president's term, removal, successor, appointment power, and veto. The delegates agonized over the length of the president's term because it would help determine the autonomy of the office. Presidential impeachment, succession, cabinet, appointments, vetoes, pardons, and the vice-presidency each required the compromises to fine-tune the balance between presidential and Congressional power. By incremental steps, the delegates increased the president's independent authority, while they isolated him within the government and established checks on his powers.