Presidential Vetoes and Social Media

• In Event: Unilateral Power and the Public Presidency

Abstract

Presidents have used the veto power in a variety of different ways with outcomes as diverse as the strategies that envelop them. Some are cast publicly (Ingberman and Yao 1991) while others are sent in private (Conley 2003); some are meant to keep policy issues off the agenda in Congress (Cameron 2000); and others are designed to signal discontent with the direction Congress has chosen (Copeland 1983). Extant literature has also detailed how and when presidents ought to use their veto power if they hope to be successful, particularly in gaining public support for their initiatives (Canes-Wrone 2001). We know less, however, about how and when presidents choose to publicize their veto threats to the public and why they may choose to take such an approach. Especially given the state of technology, presidents and their staff may capitalize on such resources and use tools such as social media to seek support for their positions.

This paper explores whether and how presidents attempt to advertise their vetoes on social media. If presidents must be strategic in their use of the veto if they hope to gain public support, perhaps they should also be strategic in how they choose to advertise those vetoes to the public as well. We know less about how much presidents discuss their vetoes on social media-- if at all—and whether there is any intentionality behind when presidents do choose to do so.

I performed a text analysis of all messages sent on “X” (formerly known as Twitter) from the president’s official account and others in his administration to determine when and how often vetoes are advertised on those channels. Understanding how the president chooses to utilize social media channels In regard to his vetoes can give us glimpses into how such communications technologies are changing the political landscape. This is yet another step toward a deeper knowledge of social media’s impact on the presidency, particularly in how his relations with Congress may be touched through such channels.

Author

• Bethany Bowra, Broward College