The Executive Branch

1. The founders attempted to create a presidency that was neither too strong nor too weak.

2. The powers of the presidency in the Constitutional are briefly stated and vague.

3. The founders envisioned a presidency with fewer powers than today’s presidency.

4. According to the Constitution, what are the official qualifications to be president?

  • natural born us citizen, at least 35, live here for at least 14 years

5. What is the maximum number of years a president can serve?

  • 8 years

6. What is the president’s salary?

  • 400k

7. What are some benefits available to the president?

  • secret service, swimming pool, any food anytime

8. What is the constitutional role of the Vice-President?

  • tiebreaker in senate

9. Who is next in line of succession after the VP?

  • speaker of the house

10. What are the constitutional powers of the president? (eight)

  • veto bills 

  • Commander-in-Chief of the military

  • Negotiate treaties

  • Appoint federal officials and judges

  • Grant pardons and reprieves

  • Convene and adjourn Congress in special cases

  • Execute and enforce laws

  • Recognize foreign governments

11. Describe the main roles of the president. (eight)

  • Chief Executive

  • Chief Diplomat

  • Commander-in-Chief

  • Chief Legislator

  • Chief of State

  • Chief Administrator

  • Chief of Party

  • Chief Citizen

12. What tools are available to the president when it comes to carrying out foreign policy?

  • military, fbi, cia, federal agencies, diplomats

13. What is the role of the Executive Office of the President?

  • Supports the president in policy-making and administration

14. What is the role of the Cabinet?  

  • Advises the president, runs executive departments

15. What functions does the Federal Bureaucracy carry out?

  • Implements laws, regulates industries, administers programs

16. What is the Civil Service and what functions does it carry out?

  • Non-political government employees who implement policies

17. What are some of the limits on presidential power? 

  • separation of powers among the 3 branches, constitutional checks and balances, federalism; a presidential veto can be overturned by a 2/3 vote of Congress, cannot create new cabinet level departments without the approval of Congress, can convene but not dismiss Congress, two term limit

18. What is meant by the “bully pulpit”?

  • Using the presidency to influence public opinion and policy

19. Why is the Cabinet not suitable as an effective advisory body?

  • Conflicting interests, loyalty to departments, too large

20. What is the role of the White House Staff?

  • the president’s most important advisory body – provides information, policy options, and analysis. The White House Staff includes – the Chief of Staff; Press Secretary; National Security Advisor; White House Counsel; personal advisors 

21. How does a president’s personality and temperament affect their ability to achieve their goals (ex. charisma, ability to “read” the public’s mood, wholesale and retail skills, etc.)?

  • Charisma, public appeal, communication skills, leadership

-22. The key to successfully exerting presidential power and influence is the ability to    ______________.

  • Persuade and negotiate

23. What is the importance of a president’s public approval rating?

  • Affects political leverage, reelection chances, and influence

24. When is a president’s influence normally at its peak?

  • during the “honeymoon” period

    • during a national emergency

25. What is meant by divided government?

  • One party controls the presidency, another controls Congress

26. What is executive privilege?

  • Right to withhold information from Congress/courts

27. What was the impact of United States v Nixon with regard to executive privilege?

  • Limited executive privilege; president must comply with subpoenas

28. Describe the procedure to:

  • impeach a president?

    • House impeaches (majority vote), 

  • remove a president?\

    • Senate holds trial (⅔ vote to remove)

29. Who ratifies treaties that have been negotiated by the President?

  • Senate (⅔ vote)

30. Who approves the President’s Cabinet and Supreme Court nominations?

  • Senate

31. How did each of the following affect the presidency?

  • The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1965)Expanded war powers

  • War Powers Resolution (1973) – Limited military actions without Congress

  • National Emergencies Act (1976) – Regulated emergency powers

  • 22nd Amendment (1951) – Limited presidents to two terms

  • 25th Amendment (1967) – Clarified presidential succession

32. If the president is seriously ill but wants to remain in office, and the vice president and cabinet disagree, who decides whether the president should continue to serve?

  • Congress, if VP and Cabinet disagree with the president

Define:

Veto: President rejects a bill

Pocket veto: President ignores a bill; it dies if Congress adjourns

Executive order: Directive with the force of law without Congress approval