Presidential Authority During Crises

A president's command authority drastically increases during times of crisis. No recent administration demonstrates this better that that of George W. Bush. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 on domestic soil illustrate the elevated authority that happened almost immediately towards President Bush. What transpired after these attacks, along with the Enron scandal, showcase Bush's ability to utilize the power of the presidency to the fullest extent.

Immediately after the 9/11 attacks: "Polls showed a remarkable and immediate jump in public support for Bush, from 51% approval of the job he was doing as president to 90% within days of the attacks. A strong public and congressional consensus quickly formed in support of his initial military response against al Qaeda and the Taliban regime" (Milkis & Nelson 431). Most citizens were completely surprised-and frightened-by the attacks and they looked to their leader to take control of the situation. Bush effectively utilized patriotism and the promise of action by a preemptive strike against those harboring terrorists. Such strong words assuaged the public; thus, his approval ratings soared.

However, it was not long before complaints emerged: "For a time these complaints

Paled against the aura of political invincibility that Bush had enjoyed since 9/11" (Milkis & Nelson 434). Despite opposition a very powerful piece of legislation was enacted, the Military Commissions Act. This authorized the use of military tribunals and denied defendants the right of habeas corpus. He also expanded the Office of Homeland Security and aggressively pursued the War on Terror.

Critical to the War on Terror were the al Qaeda and Taliban groups, both of whom were mentioned in the president's pivotal speech several days after the attack. In this speech he also referenced God and bluntly stated that people were either 'for us or with the terrorists.' "Bush framed the issue in starkly moral terms as a fight against evil and evildoers. Not since Reagan had an American president spoken so forcefully in moral terms, discussing evil as a tangible object" (Ceasar & Busch 41). It is speeches like this that increased public support, which in turn left Congressional members who opposed Bush's actions fearing that they would appear unpatriotic. Eventually the focus shifted towards Iraq and they were invaded too in hopes of toppling Saddam Hussein's regime.

Another issue involving President Bush was economic, particularly regarding the Enron scandal. "A curious pattern was at work throughout the Bush administration in which bad economic news was balanced by good news abroad, and bad news abroad was balanced by better news at home" (Ceasar & Busch 61). Serious economic trouble was brewing with the corporate giant Enron and it collapsed. Shortly after, WorldCom went under as well. Both of these corporations involved fraudulent practices, insider trading, and other illegitimate business behaviors. Bush attempted to intervene despite the fact that he "lacked the credibility on regulatory issues that he enjoyed on homeland security and the war on terrorism" (Milkis & Nelson 437). From this he enacted the powerful Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Expansion of power during times of crisis also expands the president's power in general. Clearly the climate during an emergency situation is different than the daily routine with the absence of threats, yet the power a president gains from a crisis translates into other spheres as well. An elevated amount of confidence in the president is not easily forgotten and citizens tend to cling to it for as long as possible.

WORKS CITED:

Ceasar, James W. Busch, Andrew E. Red Over Blue. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: Lanham, Maryland. 2005.

Milkis, Sidney M. and Nelson, Michael. The American Presidency: Origins and Development. Congressional Quarterly, Inc.: Washington, D.C. 2007.