The Presidency in the U.S. Constitution

The Framers as Politicians

1. James Madison:
  
    a.  How a professional political strategist prepares for a constitutional convention?

   b. Madison's political diagnosis

        - state government powers are the central problem

    c.  Madison's political goal:

           A strong national, republican government

    d. Madison's blueprint for fixing America's political problems

        - extensive national sovereignty

        - a national veto over state laws

        - representation in Congress based on population

        - the executive: an afterthought

    e. Madison's political tactics

        Build an alliance of the 3 large states (Massachusetts, Pennsylvania & Virginia) and
        the three states south of Virginia

2. Madison's Convention opponents

    a. economically vulnerable  states between Massachusetts and Virginia

    b. they wanted a few specific national powers and equal representation in Congress

    c. the central role of Connecticut and Roger Sherman

        - Sherman as a politician

        - what Sherman wanted

            dominance by a legislature with equal representation for each state

         

     protection for most state policy powers

3. How the presidency evolved

    a. Early uncertainty as the delegates battled over Congress

    b. The Connecticut Compromise

    c. Madison makes the presidency the vehicle for the national interest

            - while Sherman battles for a strong Senate

    d. The Grand Compromise on the Presidency