The Presidency and the Executive Branch

Flashcards covering key terms related to the Presidency and the Executive Branch.

Chief of State

The President as the ceremonial head of the government and symbol of the nation.

Chief Executive

The President who is vested with the executive power of the United States.

Chief Administrator

The President is the chief administrator, or director, of the United States government.

Chief Diplomat

As the nation’s chief diplomat, the President is the main architect of American foreign policy and chief spokesperson to the rest of the world.

Commander in Chief

The President's role as the complete controller of the nation's armed forces.

Chief Legislator

The President as the main architect of the nation's public policies.

Chief of Party

The President acts as the acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch.

Chief Citizen

The President is expected to represent all the people.

Qualifications for President

Must be a natural born citizen, at least 35 years old, and lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

President FDR

elected for his 4th term in 1944, which caused term limits

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to 4yrs, can’t be elected to more than 2 terms and can only serve up to 10 years.

Presidential succession

plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled.

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Establishes the order of succession following the Vice President.

The 25th Amendment

Clarifies the process of presidential succession if the President is removed from office. Ratified in 1967.

VP

Other than becoming president if president removed from office can preside over the senate and help decide the q of presidential disability

Today’s VP duty

performs diplomatic and political chores for the President

Presidential disability

President or VP and majority of members inform in writing that the President in unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.

Presidential primaries

Elections where a party's voters select delegates to national conventions and express preferences for presidential nominations.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

The 12th Amendment

1804, Requires electors to cast 1 electoral vote for both President and Vice President on the same ticket.

1st main goal of national convention

to officially name the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates

2nd main goal of national convention

to bring the various factions and the leading personalities in the party together in one place for a common purpose

3rd main goal of national convention

to adopt the party’s platform—its formal statement of basic principles, stands on major policy matters, and objectives for the campaign and beyond.

Favored nominations to

Incumbent President, State governors and U.S. senators, Larger states

1st step of election

All States, except two (Maine and Nebraska), select electors based on the winner of the popular vote in that State.

2nd step of election

Electors then meet in the State capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December and cast their votes for President and Vice President.

3rd step of election

On January 6, the electoral votes cast are counted by the president of the Senate, and the President and Vice President are formally elected.

1st flaw of electoral college

It is possible to win the popular vote in the presidential election, but lose the electoral college vote.

2nd flaw of electoral college

Nothing in the Constitution requires the electors to vote for the candidate favored by the popular vote in their State.

3rd flaw of electoral college

If no candidate gains a majority in the electoral college, the election is thrown into the House (1800 and 1824). Each State is given one vote.

Strengths of electoral college

Known process and in most election years, the electoral college defines a clear winner quickly

Article II of the Constitution begins

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the USA

Treaty

A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states requiring a 2/3 Senate vote.

Executive Agreement

A pact between the President and a foreign state that does not require Senate consent.

Power of Recognition

The President's authority to acknowledge the legal existence of another sovereign state.

Line-Item Veto

The President's power to reject specific dollar amounts in spending bills, which was ruled unconstitutional.

Clemency Powers

The President's powers to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses.

Presidential power grown

The nation’s increasingly complex social and economic conditions. Congress has increased presidential power by passing laws and expanding the role of the Federal Government. The ability to use the mass media

As chief executive

President executes the provisions of federal law

oath of office

instructs the President to carry out the laws of the land

ordinance power

Power to issue executive orders. Arises from Constitution and acts of Congress.

With the Senate’s consent

the President appoints the top-ranking officials of the US

President may remove

any appointees except federal judges

The Constitution gives the President the power to

grant reprieves & pardons. Only used in cases of federal crimes.

President can’t propose

legislation

President may also veto any legislation

but may be overturned by 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress