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2.7 Presidential Communication

3 min readfebruary 11, 2023

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Jed Quiaoit

Jed Quiaoit

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Jed Quiaoit

Jed Quiaoit

The advancement of communication technology has had a significant impact on the relationship between the president, the national constituency, and the other branches of government. In the past, communication between the president and the public was primarily one-way, with the president communicating through speeches, press conferences, and other public appearances. However, advances in technology have transformed this relationship, allowing for two-way communication and providing the president with new ways to connect with the public. 🖥️

Modern Tech: Social Media

For example, the widespread use of has given the president direct access to the public, enabling them to bypass traditional media and communicate their message directly to the people. This has allowed the president to build relationships with constituents, gather public opinion, and respond to criticism and feedback in real-time.

Modern technology and the use of have allowed for a more rapid response to political issues. This also means quicker response from the public as to their approval of presidential elections. 📱

It's important to note that fluctuate: rising at the beginning of administrations, during times of crisis, and times of economic growth. They fall during political scandals and high unemployment or lack of economic growth.

The Bully Pulpit and Impact on Policymaking

The State of the Union address and the president's have been used as powerful tools for at the national level. The State of the Union is an annual address given by the president to Congress and the nation, in which they outline their legislative agenda and outline their vision for the future of the country. This speech is broadcast nationally and provides the president with an opportunity to set the tone for their administration and to define the key issues that will shape the nation in the coming year.

The "" is another tool that the president can use to set the national agenda. This term refers to the president's ability to use their position as the leader of the country to shape public opinion and to drive the national conversation. Through speeches, press conferences, and other public appearances, the president can use their to bring attention to specific issues and to build support for their agenda.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-baQnFeJ239pa.jpg?alt=media&token=761529aa-88b1-446e-bb33-bd8953f75002

Source: The Atlantic

By using these tools, the president can set the national agenda, bring attention to important issues, and shape public opinion. This can have a significant impact on the legislative process and the that are ultimately produced by the government. The ability to effectively use the State of the Union and the can be a critical factor in determining a president's success and the legacy they leave behind. 📺

Illustrative Example

President Reagan's "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction" (1981)

The "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction" delivered by President Reagan in 1981 is an illustrative example of the use of the to set the national agenda. In this address, President Reagan used his platform as the leader of the country to build support for his proposed tax reduction plan. Through his speech, he outlined his vision for a more streamlined and efficient government, and he emphasized the importance of reducing taxes as a way to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-aWoRAdZlpbZs.jpg?alt=media&token=44b02f32-3e2e-4fcc-ba45-30d5f5a6284b

Source: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

The address was broadcast nationally, giving President Reagan the opportunity to reach a large audience and to shape public opinion. By using the power of his office to communicate his message directly to the people, President Reagan was able to build support for his agenda and to generate momentum for his proposed tax reductions.

This example demonstrates the power of the and the ability of the president to shape the national conversation and to drive the agenda. By effectively leveraging this tool, President Reagan was able to bring attention to an important issue and to build support for his policy proposals, ultimately leading to the passage of his tax reduction plan.

🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Roles of the President

Key Terms to Review (9)

Advancement of Communication Technology

: The progression and development of methods and tools used to share information or data. This includes the evolution from traditional forms like newspapers and radios to modern forms such as social media, email, and mobile applications.

Agenda Setting

: Agenda setting refers to determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered by decision makers.

Bully Pulpit

: A bully pulpit is a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

Federal Tax Reduction Plan

: This is a proposal or strategy aimed at lowering federal taxes, often with the goal of stimulating economic growth.

Policy Outcomes

: Policy outcomes refer to the results or effects that government policies have on society. They are the changes in social, economic, or environmental conditions that occur as a result of implementing a policy.

President Reagan's "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction"

: This was a speech delivered by President Ronald Reagan where he proposed his plan for reducing federal taxes with an aim towards stimulating economic growth.

Presidential Approval Ratings

: A statistical measure indicating the percentage of respondents who approve of the president's performance at any given time.

Social Media

: Websites or applications that enable users to create content or participate in social networking; often used in politics for campaigning purposes or engaging with constituents.

State of Union Address

: The State of Union Address is an annual message delivered by the President to Congress towards the beginning of each calendar year in office. It includes a budget message and economic report.

2.7 Presidential Communication

3 min readfebruary 11, 2023

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Jed Quiaoit

Jed Quiaoit

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan

Jed Quiaoit

Jed Quiaoit

The advancement of communication technology has had a significant impact on the relationship between the president, the national constituency, and the other branches of government. In the past, communication between the president and the public was primarily one-way, with the president communicating through speeches, press conferences, and other public appearances. However, advances in technology have transformed this relationship, allowing for two-way communication and providing the president with new ways to connect with the public. 🖥️

Modern Tech: Social Media

For example, the widespread use of has given the president direct access to the public, enabling them to bypass traditional media and communicate their message directly to the people. This has allowed the president to build relationships with constituents, gather public opinion, and respond to criticism and feedback in real-time.

Modern technology and the use of have allowed for a more rapid response to political issues. This also means quicker response from the public as to their approval of presidential elections. 📱

It's important to note that fluctuate: rising at the beginning of administrations, during times of crisis, and times of economic growth. They fall during political scandals and high unemployment or lack of economic growth.

The Bully Pulpit and Impact on Policymaking

The State of the Union address and the president's have been used as powerful tools for at the national level. The State of the Union is an annual address given by the president to Congress and the nation, in which they outline their legislative agenda and outline their vision for the future of the country. This speech is broadcast nationally and provides the president with an opportunity to set the tone for their administration and to define the key issues that will shape the nation in the coming year.

The "" is another tool that the president can use to set the national agenda. This term refers to the president's ability to use their position as the leader of the country to shape public opinion and to drive the national conversation. Through speeches, press conferences, and other public appearances, the president can use their to bring attention to specific issues and to build support for their agenda.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-baQnFeJ239pa.jpg?alt=media&token=761529aa-88b1-446e-bb33-bd8953f75002

Source: The Atlantic

By using these tools, the president can set the national agenda, bring attention to important issues, and shape public opinion. This can have a significant impact on the legislative process and the that are ultimately produced by the government. The ability to effectively use the State of the Union and the can be a critical factor in determining a president's success and the legacy they leave behind. 📺

Illustrative Example

President Reagan's "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction" (1981)

The "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction" delivered by President Reagan in 1981 is an illustrative example of the use of the to set the national agenda. In this address, President Reagan used his platform as the leader of the country to build support for his proposed tax reduction plan. Through his speech, he outlined his vision for a more streamlined and efficient government, and he emphasized the importance of reducing taxes as a way to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-aWoRAdZlpbZs.jpg?alt=media&token=44b02f32-3e2e-4fcc-ba45-30d5f5a6284b

Source: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

The address was broadcast nationally, giving President Reagan the opportunity to reach a large audience and to shape public opinion. By using the power of his office to communicate his message directly to the people, President Reagan was able to build support for his agenda and to generate momentum for his proposed tax reductions.

This example demonstrates the power of the and the ability of the president to shape the national conversation and to drive the agenda. By effectively leveraging this tool, President Reagan was able to bring attention to an important issue and to build support for his policy proposals, ultimately leading to the passage of his tax reduction plan.

🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Roles of the President

Key Terms to Review (9)

Advancement of Communication Technology

: The progression and development of methods and tools used to share information or data. This includes the evolution from traditional forms like newspapers and radios to modern forms such as social media, email, and mobile applications.

Agenda Setting

: Agenda setting refers to determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered by decision makers.

Bully Pulpit

: A bully pulpit is a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

Federal Tax Reduction Plan

: This is a proposal or strategy aimed at lowering federal taxes, often with the goal of stimulating economic growth.

Policy Outcomes

: Policy outcomes refer to the results or effects that government policies have on society. They are the changes in social, economic, or environmental conditions that occur as a result of implementing a policy.

President Reagan's "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction"

: This was a speech delivered by President Ronald Reagan where he proposed his plan for reducing federal taxes with an aim towards stimulating economic growth.

Presidential Approval Ratings

: A statistical measure indicating the percentage of respondents who approve of the president's performance at any given time.

Social Media

: Websites or applications that enable users to create content or participate in social networking; often used in politics for campaigning purposes or engaging with constituents.

State of Union Address

: The State of Union Address is an annual message delivered by the President to Congress towards the beginning of each calendar year in office. It includes a budget message and economic report.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.