When bombs drop and troops mobilize, who pulls the strings—Congress or the President? Can we afford to leave the fate of nations in the hands of one person, or does the voice of the people demand more say? The Founding Fathers designed checks and balances for a reason, but when it comes to war powers, does the balance still hold?

In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon delve into the war powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the balance of authority between Congress and the President. They discuss Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to declare war, and Article II, Section 2, which designates the President as Commander in Chief. The conversation covers historical precedents, the evolution of military authorizations, and modern implications, including the use of Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). They emphasize the importance of understanding and navigating the constitutional framework governing war powers.

Curious about who truly holds the reins of military power? Tune in to learn more and challenge your understanding of war powers in America.

In This Episode

• (00:27) Introduction to war powers
• (01:06) Congress's powers
• (01:18) President's powers
• (02:10) Competition between branches
• (02:22) Authorization for military force
• (03:06) Historical context of war declarations
• (03:53) Ambiguity in military actions
• (04:26) Historical examples of military authorizations
• (06:54) Technological warfare
• (08:07) Political implications of war powers
• (08:30) Defensive warfare
• (08:43) Distinguishing offensive and defensive actions
• (09:24) Lincoln's actions during the Civil War
• (10:38) State of war and presidential powers
• (11:42) Treaty obligations and war
• (13:22) Preemptive strikes vs. defensive actions
• (14:11) The President's war powers
• (14:39) Congress's role in war declarations
• (15:15) Historical context of war powers
• (15:36) Executing congressional declarations
• (16:03) Presidential discretion in war
• (17:23) Congress's powers against the President
• (18:24) Congress's institutional strength
• (19:13) Impeachment as a weapon
• (20:11) Power of the purse
• (21:25) Defense appropriations cycle
• (23:38) Presidential actions without war
• (25:23) War Powers Resolution Overview
• (26:21) Constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution
• (26:46) The War Powers Resolution
• (27:17) Presidential authority
• (28:14) Congress's role in military regulation
• (29:25) Tactical command limitations
• (30:31) Overlapping powers discussion
• (31:25) Public dissatisfaction with military engagement
• (32:04) Alternative solutions for Congressional action
• (33:29) General public knowledge and engagement
• (34:53) Need for decisive leadership
• (35:28) Educating voters on war powers

Have you ever wondered what happens when an election unfolds in unexpected ways?

This episode dives into the surprisingly decisive 2024 presidential election, exploring its unique dynamics and the implications for American democracy. Despite expectations of a close race, the results were clear almost immediately, leaving room to reflect on the shifting coalitions, demographic trends, and the role of the Electoral College in modern elections. What does this tell us about the future of American politics?

Join hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon as they analyze what this election means for political parties, the electorate, and constitutional processes like the peaceful transfer of power.

Tune in for an engaging conversation that connects the election outcomes to broader themes in constitutional governance and American civic life.

In This Episode

• 00:42: Overview of the 2024 Presidential Election
• 02:02: Historical Context of Previous Presidential Elections
• 03:02: Changing Dynamics of Party Control and Dominance
• 04:04: Shift in Party Demographics and Minority Vote
• 05:02: Breakdown of Voter Demographics by Ethnicity and Sex
• 06:02: Discussing the Latino, Black, and Asian American Vote
• 07:23: Shift in Republican and Democratic Party Bases
• 09:24: Electoral College and Senate Outcomes
• 11:02: Peaceful Transfer of Power and Concession Speech
• 13:10: Importance of Adhering to Constitutional Principles
• 14:01: Process of Voting by Electors in the Electoral College
• 15:55: Managing Faithless Electors
• 17:23: Role of the Archivist in Electoral Process
• 18:13: Introduction to the executive agency
• 18:32: Role of the Vice President on January 6th
• 19:02: Historical context of Vice Presidents declaring their defeat
• 19:13: Kamala Harris's responsibilities and constitutional role
• 20:00: Process of opening electoral votes in Congress
• 21:02: Potential outcomes and controversies in the 2024 election
• 22:00: Trump's legislative prospects and potential challenges
• 23:07: Impact of divided and unified government on passing legislation
• 25:02: Significant bipartisan legislation examples
• 25:42: Election results and political stability
• 26:01: Future of American politics and upcoming elections
• 26:22: Conclusion and call to continue learning about the Constitution

Notable Quotes

• [00:01:14] “We have an incoming president who won the Electoral College, a majority of the popular vote, and all swing states—a clean sweep in 2024.” — Savannah Eccles Johnston
• [00:06:49] “Race is losing salience, while gender and class are becoming more central to party politics.” — Matthew Brogdon
• [00:15:06] “The decentralization of the Electoral College makes election fraud at a national level incredibly difficult.” — Matthew Brogdon
• [00:18:55] “The power of transitions reminds us of the strength of our constitutional system, even in divisive times.” — Savannah Eccles Johnston

Matthew Brogdon

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-brogdon-8a21bb89
• https://x.com/profbrogdon

Savannah Eccles Johnston

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/savannah-eccles-johnston-515a72198/
• https://www.instagram.com/savypolitics/

Ever wonder why the candidate with the most votes doesn’t always win the presidency? Or question if the Electoral College still makes sense in today’s democracy? The Electoral College has been at the center of political debates for centuries, leaving many of us scratching our heads about its fairness and relevance. But how did this system come about, and why does it still determine our elections?

In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of the Electoral College, just in time for the 2024 presidential race. They explore the historical arguments that shaped its creation, the majority-takes-all system, and the mismatches between the popular vote and election outcomes that have left voters frustrated. From potential reforms like the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to district-based voting, they break down the possibilities for change.

Curious to learn more and see how this system might impact the future of our democracy? Tune in now!

In This Episode

• (00:03) Introduction to the podcast
• (00:41) Electoral College origins
• (02:08) Alternatives to the Electoral College
• (03:00) Impact of slavery on voting
• (04:06) State-by-state voting process
• (06:10) Historical variations in elector selection
• (07:13) Electoral College's intended purpose
• (09:30) Political parties and the Electoral College
• (10:24) Current Electoral College systems
• (11:28) Majority takes all system
• (12:26) Mismatch between the popular vote and the Electoral College
• (13:57) The psychology of the wasted vote
• (14:53) Historical elections and popular vote discrepancies
• (15:24) Majority vs. plurality in elections
• (16:51) Geographic support and election outcomes
• (18:38) Impact of the Electoral College on political parties
• (19:08) Consequences of Electoral College outcomes
• (21:18) Rural vs. urban voting dynamics
• (23:14) Revisiting the district system
• (25:24) Gerrymandering and electoral outcomes
• (26:59) Cynicism towards gerrymandering solutions
• (28:11) National Popular Vote Interstate Compact
• (28:56) Texas Constitution and electors
• (29:27) Elector commitment and penalties
• (29:47) Theoretical vs. practical application