Government Ch. 13, 14, 17

What are the President's earnings, INCLUDING his expense allowance?

$450,000 EXPLANATION: The President earns $400,000 a year plus a $50,000 expense allowance.

When was the most recent election in which the popular vote winner failed to win the presidency?

2000 EXPLANATION: Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000, but George W. Bush became President.

What did the Framers see as the problem with a popular vote for the Presidency?

Citizens couldn't accurately judge the merits of each candidate. EXPLANATION: Most delegates to the Constitutional Convention felt that the people could not know enough about the candidates to make a wise decision.

Which plan is similar to the system used today but eliminates the winner-take-all feature?

national bonus plan EXPLANATION: The National Bonus Plan tries to tip the scale in favor of the winner of the popular vote while otherwise maintaining the current system.

The demise of the originally established electoral system came with the rise of

political parties. EXPLANATION: Flaws began to appear in the system with thee rise of political parties in 1796.

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become President of the United States? A. have worked in public service for 4 years B. be a "natural born Citizen" C. be at least 35 years old D. have lived in the U.S. 14 years

A. have worked in public service for 4 years EXPLANATION: There is no public service requirement.

Which of the following presidential roles involves determining foreign policy? A. chief citizen B. chief diplomat C. chief executive D. chief legislator

B. chief diplomat EXPLANATION: The President is the nation's chief diplomat and the main architect of American foreign policy.

Which of the following statements is false? A. A law can be repealed by the enactment of a treaty. B. The terms of a treaty can be repealed by the passage of a law. C. A treaty can conflict with the Constitution. D. When a treaty and a law conflict, the most recent is considered to be the law.

D. A treaty can conflict with the Constitution. EXPLANATION: The terms of a treaty can never conflict with the law of the Constitution.

An amendment placed a limit on the number of terms a President could serve after the four-term tenure of what President?

Franklin D. Roosevelt EXPLANATION: FDR won four terms in office.

Why did the Framers not want Congress to select the President?

It would make the President too beholding to Congress. EXPLANATION: Alexander Hamilton said that this method would place the President "too much under the legislative thumb."

The number of electors for a State are based on the population of the state and also on the number of

Senators. EXPLANATION: Each State gets an extra electoral vote for each senator.

What happened the election of 1800 that gave rise to changes in the election process?

The votes led to a tie for the presidency. EXPLANATION: Because the electors could not indicate their votes for President and Vice President, a tie vote emerged.

In which role does the President direct the executive branch of government?

chief administrator EXPLANATION: As chief administrator, the President heads the executive branch.

The President is the __________ when creating public policy.

chief legislator EXPLANATION: As chief legislator, the President sets the overall shape of the congressional agenda.

What name describes the President's role as the ceremonial head of the government?

chief of state EXPLANATION: The President is chief of state, and a representative of the country and its people.

When deciding on the deployment of troops, the President is acting as

commander in chief. EXPLANATION: As commander in chief the President is in charge of the nation's armed forces.

The votes cast by Presidential electors are called

electoral votes. EXPLANATION: Electors each cast two electoral votes.

The __________ is the group of people who can vote in any given election.

electorate EXPLANATION: The electorate is the full body of eligible voters.

Which of the following qualities of an elector was NOT an intention of the Framers? A. that they vote according to the will of their party B. that they be respectable C. that they be enlightened D. that they be free agents

that they vote according to the will of their party EXPLANATION: Political parties had not arisen at the time of the Convention.

Which amendment was added to the constitution in reaction to the election of 1800?

the 12th Amendment EXPLANATION: This amendment was added in 1804 to make certain there would not be another tie because of non-categorized ballots.

What two parties were well-established by the election of 1800?

the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists EXPLANATION: The Federalists were led by Adams and Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republicans by Jefferson.

What is the electoral college?

the group of electors from each state EXPLANATION: The electoral college includes the entire group of electors.

Presidential electors each cast how many votes?

two EXPLANATION: Each elector casts a vote for President and another for Vice President.