GOV CHAPTER 6
Executive Orders
-formal rules or regulations with force of law -Not specifically permitted by Constitution -Give great power to interpret Congress's laws -Used to clarify a law's application -May establish rules, regulations for operation of an executive agency
Foreign policy leader
-nation's plans, procedures for dealing with other countries, hosts foreign dignitaries in U.S. -Directs U.S. diplomatic efforts
Chief agenda-setter
-specific programs for Congress to consider enacting into law -Sets government's agenda during annual State of the Union address -Helps Congress prepare annual federal budget
Chief Of State
-symbolic figurehead of United States -Represents U.S. at major events abroad -Hosts state dinners for foreign dignitaries -Party leader—official leader of his/her political party -Helps shape, promote party platform—the important issues for which party stands -May help raise money, build support for party and party members
Commander-in-chief
- leader of nation's military -Has authority to order troops into action, call them home -Congress has duty to declare war -President frequently sends U.S. forces into action without declaration of war
Unofficial Roles
-Chief of State -Party Leader -Chief Citizen
Term of Office information
-Different term lengths considered by Framers -Compromised on four-year term, chance for re-election -Washington served two terms, retired; this became unofficial limit -1940: Roosevelt broke tradition, ran for third, then fourth term -1951: Constitution amended, limiting president to two full terms, and no more than 10 years in office
Natural Born Restriction
-Framers saw requirement as safeguarding gains of American Revolution -No foreign royalty could come to U.S. and claim presidency -Some feel requirement unnecessarily blocks qualified people, seek amendment to eliminate provision
Informal Qualifications for the Presidency Personal Qualities
-Must win support, votes of American public -Must have appealing personal qualities; be likeable -Qualities of leadership -Persuasive, perhaps inspiring -Confident, dignified, poised, charismatic -Must work well with friends, foes -Must be effective manager -Present clear vision -Remain calm and controlled under constant scrutiny, pressure
Appointment and Removal Powers
-President appoints people to fill top posts in executive branch -Presidents today directly appoint some 3,000 people. -Can use power to nominate and appoint as a political tool -About 1/3 of jobs subject to "advice and consent" of Senate -"Advice and consent" posts include Supreme Court justices, federal judges, ambassadors, cabinet members, top military advisors -Most appointees serve "at the pleasure of the president"; can be removed at any time -Exceptions: federal judges serve for life; only Congress can impeach them
Election to Office
-President not directly chosen by the people, elected by electoral college -Constitutional Convention compromise to maintain balance between small, large states -Every state granted number of electors equal to number of its members in House, Senate; still gives advantage to states with large number of House members -All states use popular vote to determine electors; "winner-take-all" rule required by 48 states
Chief citizen
-President, vice president only two nationwide elective positions in government -Primary representative of the American people -Model of good citizenship -Held to high standard of personal behavior by American public
Where and what are the Official Roles
Article 2 of the constitution outlines the executive branch of the federal government and in particular the presidency -Chief Executive -Chief Administrator -Commander in Chief -Foreign Policy Leader -Chief Agenda Setter
Council of Economic Advisers
CEA the group of advisers charged with providing the president with expert analysis of the economy and to also assist in forming economic policy
6.1 short answer question #1 Name two informal roles of the president, and provide a one or two sentence description of each of those roles.
Chief of state Head of government Represents the US at major events. Chief Citizen Model of good citizenship Held to high standard of personal behavior by American public
6.2 short answer question #1 What is diplomatic recognition? What is one example of this power happening as described in our book or class discussion?
Diplomatic Recognition is the presidential power to formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government. Ex. President Truman's recognition of Israel's government in 1948. US was a great influence to other countries.
6.2 essay question #1 What are 2 formal checks and 2 informal checks on the presidents power?
Formal Checks Took away presidential right to use line item veto Judicial review Override vetoes Informal Checks Public Approval Presidents without public support have harder time with Congress
Succession
Is the process of succeeding or coming after someone
Informal Qualifications for the Presidency Presidential Backgrounds
Many common features among former presidents: -Well-educated white men from middle- to upper-class families -Religious background in some Christian denomination -Three-fourths had military background -Only Clinton never served in Armed Forces -Four recent presidents served as state governors
NationalSecurityCoucil
NSC the group of the top military foreign affairs and intelligence officials in the presidents administration that focuses on the US national security
Formal Qualifications
Only three formal qualifications listed in Constitution -Must be at least 35 years old -Must have lived in U.S. for 14 years -Must be natural-born citizen
6.2 short answer question #2 What are two things the president can do that are considered part of his legislative powers?
Power to veto and the role of chief agenda setter to influence the powers of congress.
Section 1 at a Glance
The President The Constitution names the president as the head of the executive branch of the U.S. government. The president's official and unofficial roles include: chief executive, chief administrator, commander in chief, foreign policy leader, chief agenda-setter, chief of state, party leader, and chief citizen. The Constitution and its amendments set the presidential term of office, the process of electing the president, the line of succession to the presidency, and the president's salary. There are few formal qualifications for the president, but there are many informal ones.
administration
The group of people who work for the executive branch under a specific president
6.1 short answer question #2 What are four or more informal qualifications of the president?
Well liked role model middle to upper class white male good public speaker
Executive Departments
agencies of the federal government responsible for carrying out laws administering programs and making regulations in their particular area of responsibility
Commander in chief
another title for president who serves as commander of the nation's military forces
Chief Executive
another title for the president who holds the executive power to run government programs and implement laws that are passed by congress
As chief executive, the president has three main powers:
appointing and removing of key executive-branch officials, issuing executive orders, and maintaining executive privilege.
Executive Order
formal signed statements from the president that instruct or guide executive officials and have the force of law
Amnesty
general pardon for offenses
Diplomacy
is the art of negotiating with foreign governments
White House Office
key assistants and deputy assistants to the president that handle much of the daily business in the White House
chief administrator
manages fifteen executive departments employing about 1.8 million people help carry out govt policy
Reprieve
postpones the carrying out of a sentence or the length of time a person is put in jail
commute
reduce in a persons sentence
Pardon
releases a convicted criminal from having to fulfill a sentence
chief of state
takes role of symbolic figurehead of the US
Diplomacy
the art of negotiating with foreign governments
Executive Office of the president
the group of advisers and assistants to the president
chief of staff
the official who manages the everyday operations of the White House office
Office of management and Budget
the organization set up to develop and implement the federal budget, legislation, government regulations, the management of government finances, and the purchase of goods, services and property for the entire government
Executive Privilege
the power that allows a president to refuse to release information to congress or a court
Foreign policy
the president has the job of formulating the nations plans and procedures for dealing with other countries
diplomatic recognition
the presidential power to formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government
Chief executive
to see that government programs are carried out and laws passed by Congress are implemented power to execute or carry out the nations laws