Formal and Informal Powers of the Presidency

List the Formal Powers

Veto power, command armed forces, pardoning power, appointment powers, make treaties, convene Congress

List the Informal Powers

The power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, create & use bureaucracy, personality and leadership, and make legislative proposals.

What is the primary job of the executive branch?

Ensure that laws of US are obeyed.

Where are powers of President found?

Article II of Constitution

Qualifications to become president

Be born in US soil. Be naturally born. Be a US Citizen (in US for 14 years). 35 years old.

What happens if the President gets very ill or dies in office?

VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State

What are the 7 Roles of the President?

Chief of the Executive Branch, Head of State, Foreign policy leader, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Legislative leader, Economic leader, Political party leader

What is the Executive office of the President?

Mini bureaucracy created in 1939 to help the president oversee the executive branch.

What are the 4 of the most important advisory groups?

National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisers, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Vice President

What are the 15 Cabinet Departments?

Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Housing and Urban development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs

Describe formal presidential foreign policy powers

Commander in chief- Power to commit troops. Appointment of ambassadors and foreign policy officials. Negotiate/make treaties, Recognition of nations, Receive ambassadors and other public ministers

Describe formal legislative foreign policy powers

Confirm ambassadors, power of purse in military/foreign policy matters, declare war, pass laws/resolutions, Regulate foreign commerce, ratify treaties

Explain informal executive powers in conducting foreign policy that provide president with advantage over Congressional authority.

Executive Agreements, access to media, agenda setting, meet with world leaders, crisis manager, international coalition building, president has access to more information, recognized as global leader

Explain how each informal executive power provides president with advantage over Congress

Persuade Congress (negotiating, offering support, threat, etc) or persuading public on foreign policy (apply pressure to Congress), ability to circumvent the formal process

How long is term of office?

4 years

How can a president be removed from office?

Accuse of misdemeanors by the House and 2/3rds of Senate must be convinced to impeach him in trial. Chief of Justice presides as Judge.

How is the President's power over treaties checked?

Senator approval process