AP Gov: Presidency Test

What is the significance of United States v. Nixon (1974)? a. A president may not wage an undeclared war. b. A president may not veto part of a bill. c. A president must secure the approval of the Senate to fire a Cabinet appointee. d. A president does not have an unlimited right to executive privilege. e. A president may not impound funds appropriated by Congress.

D

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of divided government in the United States political system? a. The majority of Supreme Court justices are from one party, but the president is from another. b. The majority of governors are from one party, but the president is from another. c. The president and a majority of members of Congress are from one party, but the majority of governors are from another. d. The majority of senators and the majority of representatives are from one party, but the president is from another. e. The majority of Supreme Court justices are from one party, but the majority of senators and representatives are from another.

D

Presidential powers have increased over time due to the following factors:

Decrease in party power (pedestal). Global and economics and complexities. Increased use of formal powers. Expansion of Inherent powers

Executive orders

Directives within the executive branch. Carry the weight of law and can impact thousands of people and the entire population.

Congress adopted the War Powers Resolution to: a. give the president additional powers in case of military emergencies. b. delineate a clear chain of command in the event of nuclear war. c. criticize the president for declaring war without authorization from Congress. d. enable the president to commit troops to United Nations peacekeeping forces. e. limit the president's authority to commit troops overseas.

E

Generally, when is a president more likely to get congressional approval of proposed policies? a. After midterm congressional elections b. In the second term rather than in the first c. When public opinion is sharply divided over policies d. In social policy areas rather than in economic policy areas e. In foreign affairs rather than in domestic affairs

E

Which of the following is NOT a constitutional power of the president? a. declare war b. recommend legislation to Congress c. appoint diplomats d. negotiate treaties e. veto part of a bill

E

Which of the following is true with regard to presidential popularity? a. It increases over time b. It decreases when the Supreme Court make a controversial ruling c. It remains relatively constant over time. d. It increases over the course of a war. e. It decreases over time.

E

When do Presidents receive more support on legislation in Congress?

Early (honeymoon), Crisis

EOP

Executive Office of the President.....those in and around the White House....Along with WHO, there is NSC, OMB, CEA, among others.

Three things a President can do without seeking consent of the Congress?

Executive order Quick military strikes Executive agreements

Informal (not specifically expressed in the Constitution) roles / powers?

Executive privilege, executive orders

When is an override most likely?

When there is massive support for a bill. When a vast of Congress is of the other party.

Lame duck

end of a term when you have lost re-election or are on your way out of 2nd term. Very little gets done.

Ad hoc Gov

is similar, but includes his own created appointments/ task forces, etc. that are not part of the ordinary executive structure.

Pocket veto

last 10 days of a term

Cabinet

the top 15 executive department heads. Meetings with the Cabinet occur semi-frequently.

Image

using the Press to push your agenda. Positive spin.

CEA

Council of Economic Advisors = Part of EOP. Help with economic programs.

Essay 1: Powers of the President (3 points) 1. Explain how the Presidency has changed. 2. Identify and define one important power NOT clearly stated in the Constitution that the modern President has at their disposal.

1. More powerful. More difficult and complicated. 2. Executive privilege- Confidentiality within the White House. Unless related to criminal proceedings.

To run for President, one must be (Constitutional qualifications)

35 yrs., natural-born citizen (on US soil), and fourteen years a resident prior to taking office.

Executive agreements have been cited as evidence that a. modern presidents try to avoid legislative checks and balances on their authority b. the executive branch has become too large and bureaucratic c. presidents have less power in handling foreign policy than in domestic policy d. interest groups have too much power in the contemporary governmental system e. the courts have few means of limiting presidential power

A

The president cannot veto which of the following? a. Joint resolutions that propose constitutional amendments b. Laws overturning United States Supreme Court decisions c. Legislation regulating congressional salaries d. Legislation affecting foreign policy e. Bills that originate in the Senate

A

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is an example of Presidential power being expanded via

Congressional action

When are presidents most popular?

After 1st election.

Essay 2: The Reagan v. Carter Story (9 points) 1. Explain the three key parts of the power game by showing specifically how Reagan got it right and how Carter got it wrong. 2. Based on the Reagan v. Carter Story, is presidential power wielded more so through formal powers or thru political savvy (persuasive skills, etc.). Explain your reasoning.

Agenda Game: Have 2-3 priorities, Focus, Hope no crisis. Carter: many crisis, Energy, Hostage crisis Coalition Game: Unity and target opposition, friendship Carter: didn't try to unify and no friendliness Image Game: Control what the press has/does, focus on popular topics Carter: thought he was above an image

Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to a. provide for a balanced budget b. minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government c. ensure that the states do not become too powerful d. ensure efficient government e. ensure that the federal government is militarily strong

B

The primary function of the White House staff is to: a. initiate policy b. advise the president c. represent the bureaucratic d. provide info to the Office of Management & Budget e. act as liaison with members of Congress

B

Which group comprises the closest advisors to the president? a. Cabinet b. White House Office c. Senate d. Executive Office of the President e. Council of Governors

B

Presidents use of executive orders has increased since the 70s. Why?

Because of expanding executive branch, greater complexity. Also have figured out that it is a way to 'legislate' without Congress.

Honeymoon period

Beginning of a term when Congress is more likely to be supportive and the American people are excited and supportive. Not every President gets one of great length. Second-termers don't get a honeymoon.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Congressional resolution that gave LBJ power to do whatever was necessary to protect American interests. Allowed Vietnam to escalate without a declaration of war. Led to the War Powers Act.

The War Powers Resolution does which of the following? a. gives the president the power to declare war b. requires Congress to report to the president before it cuts military appropriations c. requires that the president notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops. d. Allows the National Security Council to conduct military operations if the president is incapacitated. e. Shifts military command decisions from the President to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

C

The constitutional powers of the president include all of the following EXCEPT a. acting as head of military b. vetoing legislation c. declaring war d. granting pardons e. appointing ambassadors

C

Which of the following is an example of presidential use of informal powers? a. President Ronald Reagan nominating Sandra Day O'Connor to the United States Supreme Court b. President John F. Kennedy negotiating the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union c. President Bill Clinton advocating for public policy reform on his Health Security Express bus d. President George W. Bush deploying United States troops to Iraq e. President Barack Obama delivering the State of the Union address to Congress

C

Which of the following is the primary reason for the tensions that exist between the legislative and executive branches of the federal government? a. Each branch sets and approves the other's budget. b. The branches are staffed with many of the same people. c. The branches have different constituencies with different interests. d. The branches are responsible for the selection of Cabinet level officials. e. Each branch has the constitutional power to levy taxes.

C

Which presidents have been impeached? And who came close?

Clinton and Andrew Johnson (Johnson survived guilt by a single vote) were impeached and Nixon came close.

What are some official (formal or expressed) constitutional roles / powers?

Commander-n-Chief, Veto, State of the Union, Treaties, State of Union, foreign affairs.

Executive privilege

Confidentiality within the White House. Unless related to criminal proceedings.

According to the Constitution, what entity has the power to declare war?

Congress

What happens to them at the end of a term?

General protocol is that these people resign or stick around to serve another term. Hand in resignations.

Presidents have no line item veto. Who does? Why are line-item vetoes a benefit?

Governors of states. It allows a President to eliminate attachments (pork) without killing good legislature.

Impeachment process

House gets the part one: accusation (impeachment) by majority; Senate part two:trial stage. Need two-thirds for guilty.

Pyramid Gov

Iike, Nixon.....top-down approach. A few have access, most people are kept at a distance from the President.

Independent Agencies

In the Executive branch, furthest from the President. Little to no contact. Post Office, Metric Board, FEMA,

How does crises, such as war or depression, impact power?

Increase.

What happens to a bill with no signature?

It becomes law without his signature.

Supreme Court?

Judicial Review.

Succession Act of 1947

Lays out our line of Succession after V.P.

What does it mean for a president to win an election with only a plurality? Does it matter?

Less than 50%. Simply more votes = plurality. It can matter because it means that you are not necessarily the people's President. It helps to have a majority because you can use that against Congress (mandate).

What is gridlock and when is it most likely to occur?

Most likely to occur when government is divided, but certainly this is not the only time.

Have any constitutional amendments expanded presidential power?

NO

Criticisms of President Carter ?

NO agenda, poor communicator, politically naïve, too involved in details. How did President Carter structure his White House staff? Circular to a fault. Way too many voices and all were outsiders.

The Congress' checks on the President?

Override veto stop appointments. Ratify treaties impeachment

Amnesty

Pardon for a group of people (Carter granting amnesty to Vietnam deserters)

What do the great presidents have in common?

Passion for action, quality appointments, not always popular. Non factor = intelligence.

The president's power to get his programs enacted often boils down to what key thing?

Persuasion

What are inherent constitutional powers?

Powers that are assumed but not specifically written down. Refer to executive privilege or executive order or executive agreement.

Executive agreements

Pres and another government leader from a different country come to some agreement (like a treaty except not as firm). The next President wouldn't have to abide by them.

Overrides

President can ignore and it dies (normally bills that get passed without the Presidents signature become laws in 10 years.

How are Cabinet secretaries and the attorney general selected?

President nominate. Senate approve. Can they be removed? Yes, they can.

Veto

President rejects a law.

Why is it more difficult for an American president to get his program enacted in comparison with a prime minister in a parliamentary system? Why is a prime minister almost always assured of legislative support, while a president is not?

Prime minister is chosen by the majority coalition, as is the Cabinet. Thus, all are on the same page, any sort of 'gridlock' is unlikely.

Pardon

Relieved of punishment or legal process

The State of the Union Address. What is it? Is it required? What power is being played out?

Speech by the President that acts as a guide for Congress to follow. Yes, constitution demands it. Chief Legislator.

Reprieve

Temporary pardon

How would we best describe the contemporary role of the president in the legislative process?

The President guides the agenda (proposed), but then Congress takes on the process part.

Judicial Review

The power of the Federal Courts to determine any actions constitutional or not.

Line Item

deemed unconstitutionaly........Governors can veto certain add-ons to bills without eliminating the main bill.

Criticisms of President Reagan?

Too distant............allowed staff too much leeway.

Separation of powers is often better interpreted as sharing of powers. Which presidential powers would need approval by the Senate?

Treaties appointments

What are some examples of shared powers (between Pres and Congress)?

Treaty, Appointments, Legislative Process, Military

Coalition Building

Trying to push your agenda by gathering a majority of Congressional support.

War Powers Act

Two parts: Within 48 hours, notify Congress of your actions. Troops can not be used abroad longer than 60 days without Congressional approval OR declaration of war.

22nd Amendment

Two-term limit. Possible to serve 10-years.

25th Amendment

V.P. take over Temporary power....President must inform both chamber leaders of Congress, or V.P. along with majority of the Cabinet must inform Congress.

Line of succession: (1st five in line)

V.P., Speaker, President pro temp of the Senate, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Treasury.

The president's checks on Congress?

Veto

What gets confusing (Constitutional haze) about military actions?

When does a military action become war. War Powers Act tries to clarify this.

What is divided government? What does Obama have?

When one party controls part of government (Pres / House or Senate) not the whole (unified government). Obama has divided (Republicans control House)

Presidential appointees are selected by the president and approved by the Senate. Who would be excluded from Senate scrutiny? Which appointees receive automatic terms (without worry of removal by an angry President)

White House Office excluded. It would appear that a President could remove any executive official. The Federal Reserve statute suggests that a President may even remove a federal reserve member (or Chair Ben Bernanke) "with cause", in other words, probably NOT for political or monetary differences.

WHO

White House Office. The one group that Senate has NO vote on. The President's closest advisors, their should be no outside influence on who these trusted associates are.

Circular Gov

a lot of people have access, working with the President directly.

National Security Council

advise on crises, foreign and domestic.

Agenda Setting

come into the WH with a set of two or three goals.