《当代美国》第三章.pptxVIP

Contemporary America; ?While the American people might hope that all presidents would follow Truman’s famous maxim, “The buck stops here,” they expect political finger-pointing and even admire a person’s ability to wriggle out of bottom-line responsibility.; 前美国总统杜鲁门（Harry S. Truman，1884－1972年）在他白宫办公室桌上的一块牌，上写“The buck stops here.” 它的来源是杜鲁门的一位任密苏里州西区警长的朋友，有一次参访少年感化院时看到类似的标语牌，于是请求典狱长制作一个送给杜鲁门总统。杜鲁门把这标语牌放在办公桌上，表示自己当以身作则，绝不推诿责任（pass the buck)。; ? While Nixon, Carter and Ford were blamed for almost everything they did or did not do, Reagan’s talent to elude blame was so pronounced that nothing seemed to stick to him – “the Teflon President” and Clinton proved so politically astute as to be labeled “Slick Willie” and “the Comeback Kid” .; ?George W. bush’s mistake in believing that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and links with al-Qaeda, the enormous budget deficit and ballooning national debt, and the loss of three million jobs did not damage his presidency, nor stop his reelection. ; ? In addition to the powers enumerated in the Constitution , presidents have gathered or accrued powers , which have been buttressed by the Supreme Court rulings that “inherent powers” reside in the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Executive.; ? Presidents need such authority to make decisions concerning territorial , economic, and demographic expansions.; ?George Washington expanded presidential power by taking on a ceremonial role as Head of State , receiving foreign diplomats , signing treaties ,and “embodying” the nation.; ? Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of Louisiana (1803) was an obvious example of the exercise of inherent powers ,as the Constitution nowhere mentions the right to buy territory.; ?Abraham Lincoln pushed the limits of Constitutional powers by calling forth and increasing the size of the militia in 1861 and denying the citizens’ rights to habeas corpus.; ?Teddy Roosevelt claimed it as the presiden