Presidential Candor - Executive Power
Candor About Executive Power
Disclosing one's understanding of the scope and limits of executive power
Next: Presidential War Powers
The Question
Do you think it is important in the American system of democracy for would-be presidents to answer questions like these before voters decide whom to entrust with the office? What should voters conclude about any of your rivals who are unwilling or unable to answer them?
Michael Bennet
Senator from Colorado, 55
We must restore our institutions and our system of checks and balances that President Trump has worked to dismantle, and the American people should take that into consideration when determining our next president.
We must restore our institutions and our system of checks and balances that President Trump has worked to dismantle, and the American people should take that into consideration when determining our next president.
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Former Vice President, 76
Yes, it is important for candidates to answer these critical constitutional questions. Sharing the vision of my presidency with voters is what campaigning is all about.
Yes, it is important for candidates to answer these critical constitutional questions. Sharing the vision of my presidency with voters is what campaigning is all about. As part of the primary process, candidates are able to explain their policy positions and beliefs regarding governance in real detail.
Read full answer
Michael Bloomberg
Former mayor of New York City, 78
Yes. Especially after the ethical lapses and assault on norms that have characterized the current administration, it is vital that voters understand how a Democratic alternative will view — and respect the limits on — executive power.
Yes. Especially after the ethical lapses and assault on norms that have characterized the current administration, it is vital that voters understand how a Democratic alternative will view — and respect the limits on — executive power.
Cory Booker
Senator from New Jersey, 50
These issues hit at the core of our democracy. As candidates seeking to replace an Administration that has abused executive power and violated long-held norms, we should make clear where we stand on important issues like these.
These issues hit at the core of our democracy. As candidates seeking to replace an Administration that has abused executive power and violated long-held norms, we should make clear where we stand on important issues like these.
Steve Bullock
Governor of Montana, 53
I am proud of my record of transparency as Governor of Montana. As the former chief legal officer of Montana, respect for the rule of law is a core value that I supported as Attorney General and one that I would bring to my Administration.
I am proud of my record of transparency as Governor of Montana. As the former chief legal officer of Montana, respect for the rule of law is a core value that I supported as Attorney General and one that I would bring to my Administration. I will let voters make their own determinations about whether failure to consider these questions implies anything about their ability to govern.
Read full answer
Pete Buttigieg
Mayor of South Bend, Ind., 38
Yes, I believe it is vital to be transparent about these issues. The American people are entitled to an informed decision about who will lead them, and democracy is on the ballot.
Yes, I believe it is vital to be transparent about these issues. The American people are entitled to an informed decision about who will lead them, and democracy is on the ballot.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor of New York City, 58
In an era of congressional gridlock and hyper-partisanship that has made it all but impossible for Congress to pass major legislation, actions by the executive branch have become the primary form of policy making in America. As such, it is crucial for voters to have a sense of where candidates stand on issues of executive power before they cast a ballot.
In an era of congressional gridlock and hyper-partisanship that has made it all but impossible for Congress to pass major legislation, actions by the executive branch have become the primary form of policy making in America. As such, it is crucial for voters to have a sense of where candidates stand on issues of executive power before they cast a ballot.
Tulsi Gabbard
Congresswoman from Hawaii, 38
Yes. It is always in the best interest of the voters to hear views from all candidates.
Yes. It is always in the best interest of the voters to hear views from all candidates.
Kamala Harris
Senator from California, 55
It is important for those seeking the highest office in the land to be transparent and clear with the American people about where they stand on issues of constitutional importance.
It is important for those seeking the highest office in the land to be transparent and clear with the American people about where they stand on issues of constitutional importance.
Amy Klobuchar
Senator from Minnesota, 59
I believe it is important for all candidates to share their views on executive power. That is why I gave a speech at the National Press Club on July 16 discussing my views on executive authority and how I would use it in the first 100 days of my presidency.
I believe it is important for all candidates to share their views on executive power. That is why I gave a speech at the National Press Club on July 16 discussing my views on executive authority and how I would use it in the first 100 days of my presidency.
Beto O’Rourke
Former congressman from Texas, 47
(The candidate did not answer this question.)
(The candidate did not answer this question.)
Tim Ryan
Congressman from Ohio, 46
Absolutely. Transparency in all facets of our democracy should be valued at the highest level and treated with the most scrutiny.
• Do you think it is important in the American system of democracy for would-be presidents to answer questions like these before voters decide whom to entrust with the office?
Absolutely. Transparency in all facets of our democracy should be valued at the highest level and treated with the most scrutiny.
• What should voters conclude about any of your rivals who are unwilling or unable to answer them?
I would let the voters make their own determinations.
Read full answer
Bernie Sanders
Senator from Vermont, 78
(The candidate did not answer this question.)
(The candidate did not answer this question.)
Mark Sanford
Republican former governor from South Carolina,
I have a 25-year history in the executive and legislative branches of government that document my belief in the need for transparency, an institutional framework for government with strong limits to federal powers, and belief in checks and balances. What you have laid out in asking these questions goes to the heart of limiting executive power.
I have a 25-year history in the executive and legislative branches of government that document my belief in the need for transparency, an institutional framework for government with strong limits to federal powers, and belief in checks and balances. What you have laid out in asking these questions goes to the heart of limiting executive power. It is vital, but ultimately what is more important are the actions that people have taken on these fronts while in power. I would ask voters to dig into my track record here is which is compelling if one believes in constitutionally limited government.
Read full answer
Joe Sestak
Former congressman from Pennsylvania, 67
Yes, it is important for would-be Presidents to answer questions like these. Americans deserve to know how a President will act and what they believe constrains their power.
Yes, it is important for would-be Presidents to answer questions like these. Americans deserve to know how a President will act and what they believe constrains their power. I hope voters will pay attention to these important issues and acknowledge the commitment to transparency of candidates who are willing to be clear about where they stand.
Read full answer
Tom Steyer
Democratic businessman and activist, 62
The President of the United States must hold the trust of the American citizenry. Answering basic questions on the powers of that office, especially those that impact our constitutional liberties and national security are important.
The President of the United States must hold the trust of the American citizenry. Answering basic questions on the powers of that office, especially those that impact our constitutional liberties and national security are important. Understanding how the presidency works, including its powers and limits, is critical to being the best possible leader the American people can choose.
Read full answer
Joe Walsh
Republican former congressman from Illinois, 57
As I said when I announced my candidacy for presidency — and as I will continue to say throughout this campaign — these aren’t just unconventional times, these are scary times. Presidential candidates absolutely must be forthright about their view of executive power, and voters should be instinctively suspicious of candidates who won’t answer these questions or who signal they don’t think it’s urgent presidential powers be curbed.
As I said when I announced my candidacy for presidency — and as I will continue to say throughout this campaign — these aren’t just unconventional times, these are scary times. Presidential candidates absolutely must be forthright about their view of executive power, and voters should be instinctively suspicious of candidates who won’t answer these questions or who signal they don’t think it’s urgent presidential powers be curbed.
President Trump approaches the office with the orientation of a dictator. He takes an extreme posture toward executive power, and ignores constraints placed on the President by the Constitution and other branches of government. Continuing down that path will lead to American democracy declining into authoritarianism — and if he is not stopped, we could very well encounter an even more destructive leader down the road.
Read full answer
Elizabeth Warren
Senator from Massachusetts, 70
Yes. The American people should fully know how candidates will use the power of the presidency. I have answered many questions on these topics and have proposed a variety of legislative ideas to rein in abuses of executive power. No president is above the law and she has a duty to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Yes. The American people should fully know how candidates will use the power of the presidency. I have answered many questions on these topics and have proposed a variety of legislative ideas to rein in abuses of executive power. No president is above the law and she has a duty to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. She also has a responsibility to make sure excess power is not used to start endless wars, attack the privacy of Americans, or undermine the democratic values of our country.
Read full answer
William F. Weld
Republican former governor of Massachusetts, 74
I believe it is appropriate for candidates to answer these questions.
I believe it is appropriate for candidates to answer these questions.
Marianne Williamson
Self-help author, 67
I agree that it’s important for presidential candidates to state their views on these important questions of executive power before they are elected. Thank you for raising these vital issues.
I agree that it’s important for presidential candidates to state their views on these important questions of executive power before they are elected. Thank you for raising these vital issues.
The Topics
1. Presidential War Powers
2. Military Force Against Americans
3. Commander in Chief Power
4. Presidential Signing Statements
5. Presidential Obstruction of Justice
6. Presidential Indictability
7. Executive Secrecy
8. Press Freedoms
9. Potential Post-Trump Reforms
10. Campaign Legal Advisers
11. Candor About Executive Power
Executive Power Survey
The Topics
1. Presidential War Powers
2. Military Force Against Americans
3. Commander in Chief Power
4. Presidential Signing Statements
5. Presidential Obstruction of Justice
6. Presidential Indictability
7. Executive Secrecy
8. Press Freedoms
9. Potential Post-Trump Reforms
10. Campaign Legal Advisers
11. Candor About Executive Power
The Candidates
Michael Bennet
Senator from Colorado
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Former Vice President
Michael Bloomberg
Former mayor of New York City
Cory Booker
Senator from New Jersey
Steve Bullock
Governor of Montana
Pete Buttigieg
Mayor of South Bend, Ind.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor of New York City
Tulsi Gabbard
Congresswoman from Hawaii
Kamala Harris
Senator from California
Amy Klobuchar
Senator from Minnesota
Beto O’Rourke
Former congressman from Texas
Tim Ryan
Congressman from Ohio
Bernie Sanders
Senator from Vermont
Joe Sestak
Former congressman from Pennsylvania
Tom Steyer
Democratic businessman and activist
Elizabeth Warren
Senator from Massachusetts
Marianne Williamson
Self-help author
Joe Walsh
Republican former congressman from Illinois
William F. Weld
Republican former governor of Massachusetts
Mark Sanford
Republican former governor from South Carolina