President/Bureaucracy Test

What official duties does the Vice President have?

- To preside over the Senate and vote in the case of a tie - To participate in policy meetings, undertake special assignments and serve as a member of the National Security Council.

There are 4 distinct presidential types. Explain each and give specific examples.

1. Active-positive- wants to get a great deal done, high levels of self confidence. This personality generates excitement, things can be accomplished. When people vote for president, given the role he plays we have reached a point where people vote the character not the policy. if you choose the wrong person, their psychological history could become the nation's problem. Ex: John F. Kennedy 2. Active-negative- low self image, very high energy, very assertive, try to accomplish a great deal. rigid personalities, can be liberal or conservative, cannot compromise. don't have a capacity to distinguish criticism of their policy from their person. these are strong presidents, but can also be dangerous. Ex: LBJ 3. Passive-positive- presidents don't have great energy but they have a good image, good in personal relations. Ex: Ronald Reagen 4. Passive-negative- someone with limited energy, poor self image, may have pursued the presidency out of a sense of duty. supports a government, not active, politically conservative. Ex: Eisenhower

How did the following limit presidential power? Be sure to explain each fully.

1. Budget Impoundment Act: designed to reform the budgeting process by making Congress less dependent on the president's budget; established a fixed budget calendar and a budget committee in each house. 2. U.S v Nixon: No absolute constitutional executive privilege allowing a president of refuse to comply with a court order to produce information in a criminal trial. 3. War Powers Act: Is designed to limit the power of President's Commander in Chief; Congress place strict limits on a President's power to engage in a foreign war without Congressional consent. After Vietnam war, pentagon papers passed by congress -The president is limited in the deployment of troops overseas to a sixty-day period in peacetime(can be extended extra 30 days for withdrawal) unless congress explicitly gives approval for a longer period. -many presidents have argued it is unconstitutional -Federal law intended to check the president's power to commit us troops to armed conflict -President can send troops by declaration of war when congress approves action -President must notify congress in 48 hours of action -Congress can send troops for 60 days + 30 day withdrawal period(90 days) -vetoed by Nixon in '73, but overturned by 2/3 of congress

The President plays many roles (wears many hats) State the roles and give a current example of President Obama wearing each hat.

1. Chief executive-Enforce the laws, hiring and firing, can pardon. (Obama unveiled a climate change action plan) 2. Commander in Chief- In charge of all the armed forces. (Obama unveiled plans for pared-down military) 3. Chief of State- Deals with ceremonial stuff. (Obama held a correspondents dinner at the white house) 4. Party Leader- Most influential person in party and helps people campaign in party. (Obama campaigns for democratic party) 5. Chief agenda setter- Establish goals for the country in state of the union speech. (Obama's state of union speech set the goals for his term)

Presidential powers, both constitutional and non-constitutional can be categorized as executive, diplomatic, military, judicial, and party powers. State each:

1. Executive Powers: Chief Executive It's the president's job to see that the government carries out the laws Congress passes and he also sees that decisions of the federal courts are put into effect 2. Legislative Powers: Chief Legislator The president proposes the annual budget and other legislation to congress. The executive departments and the EOP actually write proposed laws. 3. Diplomatic Powers: Chief Diplomat represents the nation in dealings with the governments of other nations. The constitution gives the president the power to make formal agreements with other nation. Even though the senate has the power to reject and approve them. The president has the power to make executive agreements with other nations without dealing with the senate. The president has the power to recognize, or accept, the legal existence of other nations. 4. Military Powers: Commander in Chief This role allows the president to use the military to support foreign policy goals. HE decides when the nation goes to war; he also approves or rejects requests from the armed forces requests. Congress also has the power to declare war and approve all requests for funding. Presidents have another kind of power besides the powers given to them by the constitution. They have the power to influence; they can use favors and try to persuade, pressure, and encourage congress and others to do what they want. 5. Party Powers: Head Of His Political Party He appears at fund-raisers for the party Candidates. He also campaigns for his party's candidates for public office

Both the president's domestic and foreign powers are limited. Explain how each of the following can inhibit the president.

1. Mandatory spending: Spending not controlled by annual budget decisions. Budgetary constraints make it difficult to apply policy goals. 2. Congressional Budget Power: Presidents consider budget items or programs that are important to Congress. 3. Party polarization: President Obama was severely limited bc he faced such a polarized congress so he couldn't get any support and get things done or passed 4. Lame-duck: The period of time in which the President's term is coming to an end. The President's power is perceived as diminished and Congress is less responsive to the President. 5. Elections: The President has to run for re-election because he can be voted out of office in the first term. Elections can shift agenda. 6. Senate advice and consent power: Presidents use executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified. 7. Legislative oversight: Presidents limit the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional observation.

Congress and the president both have a role in making foreign policy. Describe two expressed powers the president has in making foreign policy.

1. Two enumerated powers of Congress has in making foreign policy are declaring war and ratifying treaties. 2. Two enumerated powers the President has in making foreign policy are Commander in Chief (highest power in the military) and he makes treaties.

The 25th Amendment has two provisions. Explain each

1. if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office then the VP will take over in his place. 2. For an "acting president" the VP will take over temporarily if a president is deemed unfit to fulfill duties at the moment but will be able to in the near future.

The founders intended the President of the United States to serve 4-year terms to be elected as often as the people desired. This was changed to in 1951. What changed it?

22nd amendment set a term limit for election and overall time of service to the office of the president.

The Vice President of the United States probably plays more of a political role in getting the President elected than he or she does as a part of the administration. Explain the politics of selecting a Vice President.

A candidate will select a VP that balances out the president's party. They will pick a person that will help them win a state in electoral college that they would not have otherwise without the help of the VP running mate.

Our founders established a presidential rather than a parliamentary system. Explain the difference between the two and explain how it impacts legislation

A parliamentary system is where the legislative and executive branch are one. This leads to no gridlock or controversy. In a presidential system the executive and legislative branches are separate, allowing gridlock, controversy, and a separation of powers so that not one branch will become too powerful.

What is impoundment of funds?

A presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress

Pocket veto

A special veto power exercised by the chief executive after a legislative body has adjourned. Bills not signed by the chief executive die after a specified period of time. If Congress wishes to reconsider a bill, it must be reintroduced in the following session of Congress.

What would it take to get rid of the winner-take-all system

An amendment passed by all states.

One way to assure that a popularly elected president would always receive the 270 votes in the Electoral College necessary to become president would be to get rid of the winner-take-all system that exist in most states. What would it take to make this change?

An amendment would need to be made in all of the states to change to the popular way of voting.

Where in the Constitution is the President discussed?

Article 2 Section 1 and 2

Explain how the winner-take-all system affects how presidential candidates from the two major political parties run their campaigns

Candidates pick which states they want to focus in on and choose states that they are most likely to win the plurality of the votes or swing states where they can turn the people in their favor. A candidate would not waste time in a state that is destined no matter what to the opposing candidate.

The Constitution called for an indirectly elected President to be selected by electors from each state through an Electoral College. The Electoral College is controversial. Explain why a constitutional amendment to change to a popularly elected president is unlikely. Be sure to discuss the groups that would not support any effort to change the Electoral College

Changing to a popular vote system would be unlikely because winner takes all gives a greater advantage to each party rather that giving out proportional electoral votes. A republican in Texas would much more like to have all of the electoral vote and a democrat have none rather than each be given proportionally. Same thing goes vice versa in California with democrats favoring the electoral college.

Along with the proposal to get rid of the winner-take-all system, there are several other proposals to change the Electoral College system. What are they?

Direct election- rank their preferences from favorite to least favorite. Proportional voting- splits the electoral college votes. Direct vote with plurality- popularity vote

Explain how divided government impacts the president's agenda and the successes or failures of several presidents' abilities to deal with divided government.

Divided government can lead to extended periods of gridlock, especially when political parties are at complete opposites on the spectrum. This however, does not necessarily make the government "worse" because the passage of "no legislation is always better than bad legislation". President Grant was a terrible failure when it came to divided government because once the Democrats took control of Congress, they engaged in investigations to bring light to the corruption that accompanied Grant's presidency. President Cleveland was especially successful in dealing with a divided government as he was able to pass much legislation including the Interstate Commerce Act.

How do executive agreements expand the president's ability to implement foreign policy?

Executive agreements passed without Congress' approval, which makes it easier for the President to implement them into foreign policy.

Trace the development of the imperial presidency

From andrew jackson, abe lincoln, T. roosevelt, FDR Examples of how each one expanded presidency Died with richard nixon

Explain the importance of the presidential job approval rating to the president's ability to implement agenda.

Lower ratings can lead to perceptions of lesser authority or influence, constraining the president's freedom to implement foreign policy

Qualifications to be President

Must be a natural born citizen Must be at least 35 years old Must be a resident for at least 14 years.

Explain how Nixon's presidency ended the imperial president.

Nixon's presidency brought to light the immense power that the president had been accumulating over the years. After the Nixon scandal there was major reform and presidential power went under intense scrutiny.

What are signing statements and what do they say about the power struggles between the president and congress?

Presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced. Power struggles would be that the president doing this blocks the enforcement of a law congress has passed and is seen as unconstitutional to congress.

Presidential character has much to do with how the public and historians view the success of his ability to successfully execute the job. What characteristics and circumstances seem to most predict perceived success?

Show empathy, honest and transparent, good communicator, convictions.

There is tension between the White House staff and the cabinet members. Explain.

Staff members see themselves as extensions of the president's personality and policies; departments heads (secretaries) see themselves as repositories of expert knowledge (often knowledge of why something the president supports won't work). Most White House staffers are young with little executive experience, and they tell department heads (who are old with a lot of executive experience) that the president wants this or the president wants me to tell you something. Most departments heads can't see the president when they call a White House staffer and ask to because the president is busy. Staffers take the position that they know the president will take instead of what the experts say.

Explain the president's enumerated powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.

The State of the Union Address because he is able to address the people and Congress and speak about his plan for domestic policy. Legislative powers such as veto, pocket veto, and signing legislation because he then has some sort of influence over what happens with domestic policy.

The Bully Pulpit has in the past been considered the President's greatest power. Explain the bully pulpit and explain how the President can use it to gain support for his agenda.

The bully pulpit allows the president to speak out on any issue and get us to support him. They will speak out and make a small issue bigger so it stands out more and seems like it needs more attention on the agenda to get done. They keep everything open with the people by going public.

There is some believe that the bully pulpit is not as effective a power as it once was. Explain

The bully pulpit is not as effective as previous times because media isn't giving presidents as much air time to discuss opinions as they once did. On top of that, America's attention span has diminished where once 80% of the population would listen to FDR's fireside chats we don't have that anymore. Today we have so many other networks that when the president does speak only a fraction see it and even that the media will only cover fragments because other issues need to be discussed as well. Newspapers don't cover all of the details either, making it more difficult for presidents to influence their own agenda. Ex: nobody watched Trump on 60 minutes bc we have other ways to hear about it

Line item veto

The power of an executive to veto individual lines or items within a piece of legislation without vetoing the entire bill.

What is the most elastic phrase in Article II?

The president's duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed."

Veto message

The president's formal explanation of a veto when legislation is returned to Congress.

What is executive privilege?

The right of the executive officials to refuse to appear before, or to withhold information from, a legislative committee. Executive privilege is enjoyed by the president and by those executive officials accorded that right by the president.

How does the winner-take-all system hinder third-party candidates?

Third party candidates may get a lot of votes but will get no electoral college votes unless they carry a state which is highly unlikely. They also will have no way to fund a good campaign because without electoral college votes they get no funds.

The president and congress each struggle for power. Explain how each of the following effect that power struggle

Veto power: Prevents or discourages congressional action if the President makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens the veto. Executive orders: Congress avoids taking action on controversial issues. Commander in chief: Congress clarifies its role associated with the power to declare war.

What was the topic and decision in Clinton v. NY?

What happened? Line Item Veto allowed Clinton to cancel one provision while agreeing with the rest within the act. What is the question? Is it constitutional to permit the president to veto a portion of a statute under the act that was signed into law by Congress? Majority opinion No, nothing in the constitution allows for the president to enact, repeal, or amend statutes. He would effectively be able to make amendments. Have to pass through the Senate and Congress and President fully.

Explain the winner-take-all system.

Whichever candidate wins the popular vote and then the majority of the electors votes will then get all of the electoral college votes leaving the minority candidate with zero.

What is the legislative veto? What does the Supreme Court say about legislative vetoes?

a. The rejection of a presidential or administrative action by a vote of one or both houses of Congress without the consent of the president. b. The Supreme Court ruled the legislative veto unconstitutional on the grounds that such vetoes violated the principle of separation of powers