20 Questions
What was James Wilson's initial proposal for selecting the president?
Direct election of the president.
Why did some delegates prefer the idea of electors selecting the executive over election by the legislature?
Because they were uneasy about the potential for intrigue and corruption in a legislature election.
What struggle did the framers of the Constitution face in relation to the president's power?
They struggled to find the balance between giving the president enough power to perform the job effectively and preventing potential abuse of power.
Describe the process of selecting a president through the Electoral College.
The Electoral College consists of 538 electors representing states and the District of Columbia, who cast votes for the president and vice president. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all the state's electoral votes.
What was a key weakness of the proposed executive committee under the plan to amend the Articles of Confederation?
It could be easily removed from power by majority vote of state governors.
Why did some delegates find James Wilson's idea of electors choosing the executive more appealing than direct election by the people?
To prevent intrigue and corruption in the election process.
What was a significant concern for delegates in the selection of the president that influenced the design of the Electoral College?
Potential for abuse of power and acting like a monarch.
Why did James Wilson's proposal gain ground among delegates despite initial rejection of direct election of the president?
It offered a way to avoid intrigue and corruption in the selection process.
What was the original design for the first four presidential elections?
Each elector could cast two ballots, but only one for a candidate from their state.
What happened if no candidate received a majority of the votes in the early presidential elections?
The House of Representatives selected the president, and the Senate chose the vice president.
What was a major flaw in the original design that led to controversy in the 1796 and 1800 elections?
The second-place finisher became vice president.
How did Thomas Jefferson ultimately become president in 1800?
He was elected by the House of Representatives on the thirty-sixth ballot.
What was the main problem addressed by the Twelfth Amendment?
Solving controversies arising from tied elections.
What aspect of elector rules remained largely unchanged despite the Twelfth Amendment?
The process for selecting electors.
What was the purpose of the rule that electors cannot vote for candidates from the same state as themselves?
To ensure a more diverse pool of candidates for presidential and vice presidential positions.
What action did Dick Cheney take to ensure compliance with the rule against casting votes for candidates from the same state?
He registered to vote in a state where he had previously lived.
How many electoral votes are required for a candidate to win the presidency or vice presidency?
270
Why did the framers of the Constitution leave the role of the vice president largely undeveloped?
To provide flexibility for future interpretations and adaptations of the role.
How did the influence of Dan Quayle as vice president differ from that of Dick Cheney?
Quayle was mostly ceremonial, while Cheney played a significant governance role.
What essential task is assigned to the vice president according to the text?
Presiding over the Senate
Explore the role of the presidency in the Articles of Confederation and the proposal for a federal government during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Learn about the initial provisions and proposals related to the executive branch.
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