AP Government: The Presidency

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

-veto -State of the Union -treaties -foreign affairs -Commander-in-Chief

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

Executive branch has expanded and is more complex, a way to legislate without Congress

pocket veto

during the last 10 days of a president's term, a bill can be ignored and it dies

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

executive privilege and orders

amensty

exempting a group of people from a crime (ex. men fleeing draft for Vietnam War)

pardon

exempting a person from their crime

Independent agencies

furthest contact from the President in the executive branch -FEMA, Metric Board, Post Office

Succession Act of 1947

gives line of succession after the VP

executive privilege= // Are there limits? (US v. Nixon)

holding White House information from the country/Congress. May not use this when there's a trial

What happens to a bill with no signature?

it eventually becomes law, 10 years later

Have any constitutional amendments expanded presidential power?

no

executive orders

orders within the executive branch that act as a law and can affect many people, even the whole country's population

Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

part of the EOP, helps with economic programs

veto

president rejects a law

22nd amendment

presidents can only serve for two terms (8 years), but 10 years is possible

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

those in and around the White House -includes WHO, CEA, NSC, OMB, and many others

Cabinet

top executive department heads (15) -meeting occur somewhat frequenty

What gets confusing (Constitutional haze) about military actions?

when military action becomes war

White House Office (WHO)

-Senate cannot disapprove of these appointments -closest associates of the President

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 -Constitution demands it -Chief legislator

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)

-The White House Office staff -the president seems to be able to remove any one with "cause"

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

-When nothing seems to get done because of varying opinions in the government -most likely to occur when government is divided

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

-at least 35 years old -natural-born citizen -a resident for at least 14 years prior to election

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

-decrease in party control -increased tensions around the world

What do the great presidents have in common?

-good appointments -passion for action -not always popular

override

2/3 of both houses of Congress pass a bill despite the president's veto

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

Congressional action

What do we learn from the examples laid out by Carter and Reagan?

Agenda=focus on two or three things when first starting

What are inherent constitutional powers?

Assumed powers, not specifically written in the Constitution, like executive agreement, order privilege

Circular v. Pyramid v. Ad hoc. Explain.

Circular: easier access to the president, more assistants report to the President Pyramid: there's a chain to go through to access the President Ad hoc: subordinates, Cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president

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

Congress

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

Has less than 50% of the votes, but still has the most votes, might not be President. If you have majority you can use that against Congress

Honeymoon period v. Lame duck period. Define. When does this happen?

Honeymoon: the period after a presidential election when the president's popularity is highest and Congress tends to be more agreeable with the president. Gets stuff done. Presidents in their second terms don't get one Lame duck: when a president has lost a re-election or are at the end of their 2nd term, stuff doesn't really get done

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

Increases the president's power

When are presidents most popular?

Just after they are elected for their first term

When is an override most likely?

Lot of support for the bill; when Congress is vastly controlled by the opposite party

Why is a prime minister almost always assured of legislative support, while a president is not?

The PM always has the majority of the Parliament in his party, and the parliament naturally tends to follow the PM

Why is it more difficult for an American president to get his program enacted in comparison with a prime minister in a parliamentary system?

PM's party always is the majority

How are Cabinet secretaries and the attorney general selected? Can they be removed?

President nomination/Senate approval -can be removed

What is divided government? What does Obama have?

When one party is in control of the White House and another party is in control of one or both houses of Congress. Obama has divided, since the Republicans are in control of Congress

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

State governors do. They save money, can get rid of pork without killing a good bill

What happens to Cabinet secretaries and the attorney general at the end of a term?

They resign or stick around for another term

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

Treaty, appointments, legislative progress, military

Line-item veto

Unconstitutional for president, veto certain add-ons of a bill

25th amendment

VP takes over temporarily when the President informs both chambers of Congress, or when a majority of the Cabinet approves and tells both chambers

Line of succession: (1st five in line after the President)

Vice president, Speaker of the House, Pro Tempore, Sec of State, Sec of Treasury

National Security Council (NSC)

advises on foreign and domestic crises

executive agreements

an agreement between the president and another government leader, not as strong as a treaty, the next president doesn't have to follow them

Reprieve

temporary delay on a punishment, such as a death sentence