ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on exploring presidential claims to inherent powers and their use as a means for exercising power. It examines the views of three presidents—Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Abraham Lincoln—who each took different positions on what these powers might entail. For Abraham Lincoln, the issue of presidential prerogative reared its head and took on special importance as he sought to preserve the Union. He took a number of immediate steps toward that end when he first took office. The unitary theory of the executive achieved a stronger measure of influence in George W. Bush's presidency. Bush was not the originator of this practice, nor the only one to do so: signing statements can be traced back, at least, to James Monroe's presidency. Bush is not alone—executive orders and other related actions also proved useful tools for the Barack Obama administration.
