The Presidency

The Articles of Confederation failed in part because…

a lack of a strong executive

The ________ had to check the power of presidency, while providing for _____________ ______________

delegates; effective; leadership

U.S. Presidents are…

1. Only elected figure in U.S. Politics

2. Often state government leaders, not members of Congress

3. Gain support due to their “outsider” status

Prime Ministers are…

1. Not directly elected by voters

2. Representative of the party in power

3. Are often “insiders”

Modern presidency

a political system in which the president is the central figure in domestic and foreign affairs, based off of FDR’s New Deal

What are the Constitutional powers of the President

Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Convene Congress (“State of the Union”)

Inherent powers

authority claimed by the president that is not clearly specified in the Constitution, usually during times of crisis (Civil War, Great Depression)

Delegation of Powers

process by which Congress gives the president the additional authority needed to address new problems (War on Terror)

War Powers Resolution (1973)

an attempt by Congress to reign in the expanding powers of the executive

Executive Orders

president can enact policies unilaterally, its an order for action within the executive branch

Impoundment of Funds

refusal to spend congressionally approved funds

Signing Statements

statements accompanying the signing of a bill

Power to persuade

the president’s success depends upon getting others to cooperate

“Going Public”

taking a given issue to the public for consideration

Mandate

an endorsement by the voters to carry out the policies a candidate campaigned on

Divided government

when one party controls the White House and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress

Gridlock

a situation in which government is incapable of acting on important policy issues, such as economy, education, and immigration

White House Office

included several close advisors such as chief of staff and national security advisor

Executive Office of the President

the president’s executive aides and their staffs

The Vice President

most vice presidents do little or nothing of substance, but not always, 15 have assumed the presidency

The Cabinet

the heads of departments in the executive branch and a small number of other key officials (U.S. Trade Representative)

True or False: The cabinet is used as a collective decision-making body

False

Legislative liaison staff

the people who compose the communications link between the White House and Congress

United States v Curtiss-Wright (1936)

the president is the “sole organ” for conducting foreign affairs

Executive agreements

an agreement between the U.S. president and a foreign chief of state without senatorial approval

National Security

the direct protection of the U.S. from external threats

Active

Does much. Expends much effort and energy into politics

Passive

Does Little. Conserves effort and energy in politics

Positive

Enjoys politics, happy, has fun, sense of satisfaction

Negative

dislikes politics, sad, is discouraged, no sense of satisfaction

Adaptive

initiates much, enjoys leading, gets personal energy and satisfaction from leadership

Compulsive

initiates much from a sense of duty or obligation, does not enjoy political life

Compliant

Initiates little, fills a position, gets personal satisfaction from having a position

Withdrawn

initiates little and holds the current course from a sense of f=duty, does not enjoy political life or position