The Presidency
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89 Terms
Q: What method did the framers choose to elect the president?
A: The Electoral College — balances independence from Congress with public input.
Q: Why is the president’s term 4 years?
A: It allows time for unpopular but necessary decisions and ensures accountability.
Q: Why did Hamilton support presidential re-eligibility?
A: To encourage good behavior, retain experience, and allow long-term planning.
Q: How does the mode of election relate to term length and re-eligibility?
A: Direct election risks populism; legislative election risks dependence. Re-eligibility rewards good leadership.
Q: What are the five categories of presidential powers?
A: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Diplomatic, and Military.
Q: What is the Vesting Clause?
A: It grants broad executive power to the president in Article II.
Q: What is the ordinance power?
A: The power to issue executive orders to enforce laws.
Q: What is the appointment power?
A: The president appoints officials, including cabinet members.
Q: What is the removal power?
A: The president can remove officials, except those confirmed by the Senate.
Q: What is the veto power used for?
A: To block legislation that goes against the public good or is unconstitutional.
Q: What is the pardoning power?
A: The ability to forgive crimes, used to stop rebellion or insurrection.
Q: What was the critical period?
A: The time between the Revolutionary War and the Constitution.
Q: What lesson did the critical period teach?
A: Legislative supremacy led to tyranny; a strong executive was needed.
Q: What does Federalist 71 argue?
A: The president should reflect the reason, not passion, of the people.
Q: What does Federalist 70 emphasize?
A: The need for a single, energetic executive.
Q: What did the framers believe about power?
A: Powers are distinct by nature — legislative, executive, judicial.
Q: What is the purpose of the Vesting Clause?
A: To grant executive power broadly but within constitutional limits.
Q: Why was Washington’s presidency so important?
A: He set key precedents that shaped the office permanently.
Q: Name three major precedents Washington set.
A: Title “Mr. President,” two-term tradition, cabinet creation.
Q: What was Washington’s stance on federal supremacy?
A: He asserted national authority over state governments.
🔓 Locke’s Prerogative Power (3 cards)
Q: What is prerogative power?
A: Acting without or against law for the public good.
Q: When is prerogative justified?
A: When the legislature is absent, slow, or silent.
A: When the legislature is absent, slow, or silent.
Q: Who judges if prerogative was used correctly?
A: The people.
The people can just boot out the fool
⚔️ Hamilton vs. Jefferson (3 cards)
Q: What was Hamilton’s view on presidential power?
A: Broad powers granted by the Constitution; no need for prerogative.
A: Broad powers granted by the Constitution; no need for prerogative.
Q: What was Jefferson’s view on presidential power?
A: Strict constructionist, but used prerogative when necessary.
A: Strict constructionist, but used prerogative when necessary.
Q: What did Jefferson do that contradicted his strict view?
A: The Louisiana Purchase — acted beyond the Constitution.
A: The Louisiana Purchase — acted beyond the Constitution.
🧠 Modern vs. Constitutional Presidency (4 cards)
Q: What is the modern view of presidential power?
A: Power comes from influence, charisma, and public appeal.
A: Power comes from influence, charisma, and public appeal.
Q: What are the six traits of a modern president (Greenstein)?
A: Public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, policy vision, cognitive style, emotional intelligence.
Q: Who is the quintessential modern president?
A: Franklin Roosevelt.
Q: What is the constitutional view of presidential power?
A: Power is defined by the Constitution and limited by law.
A: Power is defined by the Constitution and limited by law.
🗳️ Political Party Preferences (2 cards)
Q: What do Republicans generally prefer in a president?
A: Limited government, strict constitutional interpretation, state sovereignty.
A: Limited government, strict constitutional interpretation, state sovereignty.
Q: What do Democrats generally prefer in a president?
A: Active government, broad constitutional interpretation, national leadership.
A: Active government, broad constitutional interpretation, national leadership.
Q: What is the Constitutional Presidency?
A: A view that presidential power is defined and limited by the Constitution.
Q: What is the source of power in the Constitutional Presidency?
A: Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
Q: How does the Constitutional Presidency view separation of powers?
A: Each branch has powers distinct by nature and must not encroach on others.
Q: What does Federalist 71 say about the president’s role?
A: The president should reflect the deliberate reason of the people.
Q: What is the significance of the president’s oath of office?
A: It commits the president to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.
Q: How does the Constitutional view interpret the Vesting Clause?
A: It grants executive power within constitutional bounds.
Q: What is the role of prerogative power in the Constitutional Presidency?
A: It’s acknowledged but already embedded in the Constitution.
Q: How does the Constitutional view differ from the Modern Presidency?
A: It emphasizes legal authority and checks and balances.
Q: What does the Constitutional view say about presidential re-eligibility?
A: It allows continuity and rewards good leadership within limits.
Q: What is the president’s role in foreign policy under the Constitutional view?
A: Executes treaties and represents the nation; Senate must approve treaties.
Q: What is the president’s role in lawmaking under the Constitutional view?
A: Recommends legislation and vetoes bills; cannot make laws.
Q: How does the Constitutional view define executive power?
A: As the power to faithfully execute laws, appoint officials, and command the military.
A: Article II – Vesting Clause: “Executive power shall be vested in a President…”
A: The power to issue executive orders to enforce laws; they carry the force of law but are not laws themselves.
A: The president appoints about 5,000 officials in 4 years, including cabinet officers — like a CEO hiring staff.
A: The president cannot remove officials installed before their term or those confirmed by the Senate.
A: Recommend legislation, propose the budget, and veto bills (Congress can override with a 2/3 vote).
A: Reprieve (delay punishment), commutation (reduce sentence), pardon (forgive individual), amnesty (forgive group).
A: Treaty power (formal agreements), executive agreements (informal, no Senate approval), recognition power (acknowledge foreign governments).
A: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; can enforce federal law, call National Guard, and act unless violating federal law.
A: Richard Neustadt.
A: The president should be powerful, with extra-constitutional powers; influence is key; FDR is the model.
A: Presidents are too strong; power should remain with Congress; wary of the Imperial Presidency.
A: Presidents today are stronger than premodern ones.
A: All powers stem from the Constitution; checks and balances prevent abuse; prerogative powers are included in the Constitution.
A: Power is shared and fluid; branches gain power by encroaching on others.
A: Powers are distinct and not shared; overreach makes a president a villain, not stronger.
A: Power = influence, based on persuasion and bargaining.
A: Intelligence, charisma, knowledge, reputation, prestige, instinct, experience.
A: Friedrich Nietzsche — the idea of imposing one’s will on others.
A: Resources like influence and prestige used to gain or maintain power — like investing to gain more.
A: Public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, policy vision, cognitive style, emotional intelligence.
A: Fear that the president becomes a tyrant by bypassing Congress using prerogative powers.
A: The president can do anything unless explicitly prohibited by law — acts first, stops only if blocked.