Chapter 5 - The Executive Branch - The Presidency and Vice Presidency - Civics E Dawidczyk

Duties of the Vice President listed in the Constitution

1. Preside over Senate 2. Help figure out succession

What are the Presidents diplomatic powers?

(1) Negotiate treaties (needs senate approval) (2) Recognize the existence of foreign countries( power of recognition) (3) Appoint ambassadors/diplomats and other diplomatic officers

William Howard Taft

(1908-1912), was endorsed by Roosevelt because he pledged to carry on progressive program, then he didn't appoint any Progressives to the Cabinet, actively pursued anti-trust law suits, appoints Richard Ballinger as Secretary of the Interior, Ballinger opposed conservation and favored business interests, Taft fires Gifford Pinchot (head of U.S. forestry), ran for re-election in 1912 but lost to Wilson

Significant Vice Presidents

-Al Gore - many responsibilities -Dick Chaney - most influential -Mike Pence - "go between"

Limits still on the presidency

-Congressional Oversight - Congress oversees the Exec. Branch -Criticism of the "Imperial Presidency" - Pres. becoming too powerful

Significant First Ladies in history

-Martha Washington - first first lady -Dolly Madison - fun person -Mary Todd Lincoln - crazy, weird, difficult -Eleanore Roosevelt - active participator in American politics. Did a ton.

Informal Qualifications to be President

-Public speaking -Money -Background -Political party -Military service -Government experience -College education -Married w/ kids -Religious faith -Character

Before a president considers a treaty, what does he usually check on or get assurance on?

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Historical pardons

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Historical role of first lady

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Historical uses of recognition

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How does senatorial courtesy affect the separations of powers?

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How does the president/executive branch actually accomplish its main job?

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How have the roles of First Lady changed since Abigail adam's time?

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What does withdrawing recognition of a country do? (What message does it send?)

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Which First Ladies were more traditional?

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What are the limits on removal power?

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9 Roles of the President - Definitions + Examples of Each

1. Chief of State -Ceremonial head of US; symbol of nation 2. Chief Executive -Head of executive branch - president. Very powerful but still limits. 3. Chief Administrator -Director of executive and federal gov. 4. Chief Diplomat -Main architect of foreign policy. Deals with other countries. 5. Chief Legislator -Main author of public policy 6. Commander in Chief -Head of military forces. Kind of limited by Congress and shares power with Congress. 7. Party Leader -Chief of whatever political party they are 8. Chief Citizen -Rep. of all citizens - supposed to take high road but sometimes hard. We look to him. 9. Chief Economist -Manages world economy including trade and tariffs

Formal Qualifications to be President

1. Must be 35 years old 2. Must be born in the US 3. Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years

What are some reasons as to why the presidency has become more powerful?

1. Personality of the Pres. -Strength of the Pres. himself 2. Expansion of the executive branch -Have to have a strong leadership 3. Society and Economy more complex -People expect fed. gov. to help them in times of need 4. Laws passed by Congress give the Pres. more power -Passed many laws that gave Exec. branch power 5. Need for immediate action in times of crisis -Pres. can act and take charge quickly if needed

What are the four options the President has when presented with bills?

1. Sign the bill. Becomes a law. 2. Veto the bill. 3. Fail to sign or veto. Bill becomes a law. 4. Pocket veto. End of congressional session.

What was the longest time held in office for president?

13 years - 4 terms (FDR)

How many times have there been vacancies in the Vice President?

18

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval.

foreign affairs

A nation's relationships with other countries

Stewardship theory

A theory that argues for a strong, assertive presidential role, with presidential authority limited only at points specifically prohibited by law. Examples: .?

Whig Theory

A theory that prevailed in the nineteenth century and held that the presidency was a limited or restrained office whose occupant was confined to expressly granted constitutional authority. Examples: .?

Recognition

Acknowledging legal existence of a country and its gov.

What event prompted the 25th amendment?

Assassination of JFK?

Ordinance powers

Authority to issue executive orders

Who was the oldest President?

Back then: Ronald Reagan (69 years old) Now: Joe Biden (78 years old)

Harry Truman

Became president when FDR died; gave the order to drop the atomic bomb

Amnesty

Blanket pardon to a whole group of law violators Example: Letting all murderers be released from jail

How can the next President deal with executive agreement?

By changing it

How can Congress undo a treaty?

By passing legislation

Abrogate

Congress passes legislation to undo a treaty

Balancing the ticket

Definition: Draw people from different geographical areas Why is balancing the ticket used? - To try to bring more widespread appeal to the campaign. The political candidate chooses a running mate usually of the same party.

Who has changed the role of Vice President the most? (According to some historians?)

Dick Chaney? Most influential

Executive orders

Directives, rules or regs., issued by the Pres. that have force of law

What is the Supreme Court's view on executive power?

Don't like getting involved but have before

What type of job was the Vice President seen to be early on?

Early on VP's didn't do much - chosen early on to balance the ticket

How and when has being the Vice President changed recently? (What historical event changed it?)

Early on VP's didn't do much. Today there is more responsibility. Manhattan Project and Atomic Bomb changed it.

Which First Ladies took a more active role?

Eleanore

How are executive agreements different from treaties?

Exec. Agreement - senate approval not needed Treaties - senate approval needed

Which President had the most vetos?

FDR (635)

Does Congress support executive privilege? Why or why not?

It usually doesn't recognize it

Which President had the least vetos?

John Adams

Who was the first VP to become President due to death of a president?

John Tyler - after William Henry Harrison's death

Pardon

Legal forgiveness of a crime - person has to accept guilt usually Example: Clinton pardoned his brother who was in jail for a drug conviction

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

What do executive agreements do?

Make pacts between president and head of a foreign state

Presidents treaty power

Makes treaties that must be approved by 2/3 of Senate

Are line item vetos legal today?

NO!

How was vacancy in the Vice President filled in the past?

No VP?

Is there opposition to the 22nd Amendment?

No?

What is significant about Ford being president?

Only Pres. to date who has served as Pres. without being elected to either the Pres. or VP

Clemency

Only in cases of federal offenses mercy or leniency can be shown

Which options that the President has when presented with bills hardly ever happen?

Pocket veto?

Reprieve

Postponement of carrying out a sentence - delay punishment - esp. death penalty Example: Death penalty

Appointment power

Power to appoint ambassadors, federal judges, cabinet workers, directors of fed. agencies, and top level US Marshalls with Senate approval

Recess appointments

Pres. appoints a temporary position since Senate not in session

How is removal power generally used today?

Pres. removes someone they appointed

First Lady

President's wife or hostess

Today's role of first lady

Provide informal advice, advocate for certain policies, and undertake symbolic and important functions

Commutation

Reducing a fine or sentence

What effect do signing statements have when the president uses them?

Says what the Pres. doesn't like about a bill

Who has to approve appointment power? How many?

Senate - 2/3

Who has to approve treaties? What number?

Senate - 2/3

What does recalling an ambassador do? (What message does it send?)

Serious insult

Term of office for the President

Single term - 4 years - no limits until 22nd amendment and 2 terms was the expectation back then

Chief Administrator

Term for the President as head of the administration of the Federal Government

Chief Diplomat

Term for the President as the main architect of foreign policy and spokesperson to other countries

Chief Executive

Term for the President as vested with the executive power of the United States

How is vacancy in the Vice President filled today?

The Pres. can nominate a VP but Congress has to approve

Removal power

The President's power to remove appointed positions.

What legislative power does the president have?

The ability to veto to bills that have been passed by Congress, the ability to suggest legislation

Message power

The constitutional power to deliver the state-of-the-state message and special messages to the legislature. Example: State of the Union - give info to the people

executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security. Example: Obama w/ Fast and Furious Scandal

How are the roles of chief economist and chief diplomat similar?

The role of chief economist is to manage the world economy including trade and tariffs. The role of chief diplomat is to be the main architect of foreign policy and deal with other countries.

Who was the youngest president?

Theodore Roosevelt (42 years old) and JFK (43 years old)

What is the main job of the executive branch?

To execute (make happen) the laws

When were line item vetos legal?

Up until 1998

Presidential line of succession - first 5

Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury

When are recess appointments used?

When Senate isn't in session?

Senatorial Courtesy

When Senator from same state says no to an appointee all other senators say no

Has the Supreme Court ever gotten involved in disputes concerning executive power? If so, when?

Yes - Nixon's watergate tapes

Does the First Lady have a staff? Why?

Yes. To help her.

Veto

a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

domestic affairs

all matters not directly connected to the realm of foreign affairs

Executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

Line item veto

an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature

Signing statements

announcements made by the president when signing bills into law, often presenting the president's interpretation of the law

Who makes treaties?

president

chief of state

term for the President as the ceremonial head of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation

persona non grata

unwelcome diplomat - asked to leave country