AP Government Chapter 12
What are the two indicators of public support for the president?
1, approval in the polls 2. mandates in Presidential Elections the perception that the voters strongly support the presidents character and policies.
List the three options the president has once Congress passes a bill.
1, sign it, making it a law 2. veto it, sending it back to Congress with the reasons for rejecting it 3.let it become law after 10 working days by not doing anything
Describe two ways in which the power of the president has expanded from its constitutional base.
1. America has increased in prominence (technology) on the world stage 2. Presidents expand their responsibilities and political resources.
What are the "two presidencies?"
1. Domestic Policy 2. National security Policy
Rank the past ten presidents in terms of their ability to garner public support.
1. Kennedy 2. Eisenhower 3. G. Bush 4. G.W. Bush 5. Johnson 6. Clinton 7. Reagan 8. Nixon 9. Ford 10. Carter
Choose one constitutional power of the president from each category that you believe to be the most important.
1. National Security Powers 2. Legislative Powers 3. Administrative Powers 4. Judicial Powers
List and explain the function of three major policymaking bodies of the Executive Office.
1. National security council-that committee that links the presidents key foreign and military policy advisors. 2, Council of Economic Advisors- three member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy. 3. Office of Management and Budget- composed of handful of political appointed and more than 600 career officers and its major responsibility is to prepare the presidents budget.
What are the two contradictory expectations that Americans have about the presidency?
1. They want to believe in a powerful president who can do good 2. They dislike concentration of power-no increase in authority to meet new expectations.
Cabinet
A group of presidential advisors not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the --- is composed of 13 secretaries and the attorney general.
War Powers Resolution
A law, passed in 1973 in reaction to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, requiring presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. Presidents view the resolution as unconstitutional.
Crisis
A sudden, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous event requiring the president to play the role of crisis manager.
Council of Economic Advisers
A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy.
Pocket veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of having submitted a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
National Security Council
An office created in 1947 to coordinate the president's foreign and military policy advisors. Its formal members are the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president's national security advisor.
Make a list of the ten presidents you believe have been the best and briefly explain why.
Abe Lincoln - Ended slavery George Washington - Helped found country Thomas Jefferson - Declaration of Independence James Madison - The Constitution Ronald Reagan - Fixed the economy FDR - Helped economic depression Theodore Roosevelt - National Parks JFK - Started the Peace Corps, civil rights Dwight Eisenhower - Ended WW2 Lyndon B. Johnson - Civil rights
Office of Management and Budget
An office that grew out of the Bureau of the Budget, created in 1921, consisting of a handful of political appointees and hundreds of skilled professionals. The --- performs both managerial and budgetary functions, and although the president is its boss, the director and staff have considerable independence in the budgetary process.
What is the role of the president's press secretary?
Dealing directly with the press (info from the White House to press)
Make a list of four First Ladies and the way each influenced the presidency.
Dolly Madison -- She was active in creating weekly social events and entertaining dignitaries and society. During the War of 1812 as the British were bearing down on Washington, Dolley Madison understood the significance of the national treasures housed in the White House and refused to leave without saving as much as she could Sarah Polk -- She was known to craft speeches and write correspondence for him. Eleanor Roosevelt -- She fought for New Deal proposals, civil rights, and the rights of women. She believed education and equal opportunities should be guaranteed for all. She was a leader in the formation of the United Nations at the end of World War II. She helped draft the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and was the first chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission. Jacqueline Kennedy -- Jackie Kennedy spent much of her time as first lady working to restore and refurnish the White House. Once complete, she took America on a televised tour of the White House. She was revered as first lady for her fashion sense and later after her husband's assassination, for her poise and dignity.
What is the difference between the president as head of state and head of government?
Head of state: a role that symbolizes and represents the people, both nationally and international and may or may not have any real policy making power Head of government: deals with the everyday tasks of running the state and usually directs the activities of other members of the executive branch.
What is the difference between a hierarchical organization and a wheel-and- spokes system of White House management?
Hierarchical: chief of staff at the top,whose job and that the presidents time and interests are protected. Wheel and Spokes: Many asides have equal status and are balanced against one another in the process of decision making.
Outline the procedure for removing a president from office.
Impeachment -House of Representatives can impeach by majority vote on "treason , bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" Senate has impeachment hearing.
Twenty Second Amendment
Passed in 1951, the amendment that limits presidents to two terms of office.
In what way(s) are the press biased in their coverage of the president?
News is fundamentally superficial, oversimplified and often overblown
Twenty Fifth Amendment
Passed in 1951, the amendment that permits the vice president to become acting president if both the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled. The amendment also outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.
What are the main provisions of the War Powers Resolution?
Required presidents to consult with congress ,when possible before using a military force, and it mandated the withdrawal of forces after 60 days unless congress declared war or granted an extension (congress could at any time pass a concurrent resolution ending participation)
Legislative veto
The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision. Although the War Powers Resolution asserts this authority, there is reason to believe that, if challenged, the Supreme Court would find the --- in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
Veto
The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. A two-thirds vote in each house can override a ---.
Watergate
The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment.
Impeachment
The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may ---- the president by a majority vote for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Presidential coattails
The situation occurring when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president's party because they support the president. Recent studies show that few races are won this way.
What is the difference between a veto, a pocket veto, and a line-item veto?
Veto: the constitutional power of the president to sense a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. a 2/3 vote in each house can override a veto. Pocket veto: when congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simp;y lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it Line-item veto: when you can veto certain parts of a bill, most governors have it, unlike the president.
What is the cabinet and what does it do?
a group of presidential advisors not mentioned in the constitution that provide advice to their area of expertise.
What is an executive agreement, and how does it differ from a treaty?
a pact by the president directly with the head of a foreign state or subordinate -does not require senate senate approval-
List three recent vice presidents who have played a prominent role in the administration.
a. George Bush b. Albert Gore c. Richard Cheney
What is meant by the president's "honeymoon" period?
the first few months of the presidential term aka a presidents " first 100 days"(congress usually displays more receptivity and media show more cooperation)
In what way(s) is the institution of the presidency undemocratic?
the presidency is the single most important office in American politics.
Why is the president more equipped to handle a crisis than Congress?
the president can come to quick and consistent decisions, confine info to a small group, carefully oversee development, and call on experts in the executive branch.
How does the presidency increase and decrease the scope of government?
three presidents in the 1900s advocated a larger gov which isn't inherent to the presidency. All seven since Johnson have advocated limiteds government.
