Vig's Chapter 4 (pg. 77) discusses the president's influence on environmental policy and how it is evaluated. Here are a few basic indicators:
1) Agenda as expressed in campaign statements, policy documents, and major speeches such as inaugural and state of the union addresses;
2) Appointments to key positions in government departments and agencies and to the White House staff;
3) Priority given to environmental programs in the president's proposed budgets;
4) Legislative initiatives or vetoes;
5) Executive orders issued by the president;
6) White House oversight of environmental regulation;
7) Presidential support for or opposition to international environmental agreements
Although each of these indicators plays a substantial role in achieving environmental goals during a president's time in office, some may play a more substantial role than others. In my opinion looking at the indicators above, #1 plays the most substantial role. I think everyone would agree that during the campaign trail candidates will do whatever they can to gain votes and who can blame them. However, once in office those same people who voted the president in will hold him accountable for the promises he makes. If those promises are not fullfied due to any circumstances he will lose trust from his supporters.
I'm interested in what others might think is the most important indicator on this list.
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I agree that number one on the list is important, but I think it also important to recognize number two (appointees to key positions) and number three (budget) as viable indicators of an executives influence on environmental policy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough a president’s agenda as expressed in campaign statements, policy documents, and major speeches is important in retaining votes for an election from the general public, the budget and implementers (appointees to key positions) of the policies should not be disregarded. These are the true indicators of a Presidents policy agenda. The words spoken on a campaign trail cannot be implemented without appropriations and appointments given to these policy issues.
-Roxie Albright