The President and Vice President

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Questions and Answers

The 22nd Amendment addresses which aspect of the Executive Branch?

  • Salary and benefits of the President.
  • Presidential succession. (correct)
  • Formal qualifications for the President.
  • The establishment of the Electoral College.

Why is the Electoral College considered a subject of debate in U.S. elections?

  • It ensures that every vote carries equal weight, regardless of location.
  • It simplifies the election process, making it easier for candidates to campaign.
  • It can lead to a President being elected without winning the popular vote. (correct)
  • It directly reflects the popular vote in every state.

How many electoral votes are needed to win the U.S. presidential election?

  • 538
  • 300
  • 250
  • 270 (correct)

Which of the following is a primary role of the President as Chief Executive?

<p>Issuing executive orders. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What power does the President have that allows them to grant forgiveness for a federal crime?

<p>Pardon. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The War Powers Resolution Act is directly related to which presidential role?

<p>Commander in Chief. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of foreign policy, what does an 'executive agreement' signify?

<p>An agreement between the President and a foreign government that does not require Senate ratification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a primary goal of U.S. foreign policy?

<p>Expanding U.S. territory through military force. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which body is NOT part of the Executive Office of the President?

<p>The Cabinet. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the White House Chief of Staff?

<p>To oversee the operations of the White House and manage the President's schedule. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Department of Homeland Security was created in response to which major event?

<p>The September 11th attacks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do independent agencies differ from executive departments?

<p>Independent agencies are less subject to presidential control than executive departments. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the Executive Branch regarding federal laws?

<p>Enforcing laws through various agencies and regulations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Civil Service System aim to achieve in federal employment?

<p>Ensuring jobs are filled based on merit and qualifications. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event was a key factor in the passage of the Pendleton Act?

<p>The assassination of President James A. Garfield. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the spoils system?

<p>A practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Press Secretary?

<p>Acting as the primary spokesperson for the President’s administration. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influence do 'swing states' have in the Electoral College?

<p>They are targeted by presidential campaigns because their outcome is uncertain and can determine the election result. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which presidential role allows the President to influence the legislative process?

<p>Legislative Leader. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What purpose do trade sanctions, embargoes and tariffs serve?

<p>Foreign policy tools used to influence the behavior of other nations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Presidential Qualifications

Formal qualifications for the President are set by the Constitution.

Electoral College

Determines how presidential elections are conducted and winners are decided. Total of 538 electoral votes, DC gets three.

Indirect Election Process

Process where a candidate must win the popular vote in individual states to gain electoral votes. Winner takes all.

Red and Blue States

Often split east to west, these can significantly impact election results by swaying which candidate wins the state.

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Chief Executive

President acts as the leader upholding and enforcing laws.

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Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that manages operations of the federal government.

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State of the Union Address

Annual address by the president to Congress to present the administrations agenda.

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Presidential Pardon

Official forgiveness for a crime, can be issued by the president.

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Reprieve

A temporary postponement of a sentence, granted by the president.

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Amnesty

Official pardon for a group of people who have violated a law or policy.

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War Powers Resolution Act

Federal law limiting the President's ability to introduce US forces into armed conflicts without congressional approval.

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Chief Diplomat

President acts as the main representative to foreign countries

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Commander in Chief

President in charge of armed forces.

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Executive Agreements

The president can create treaties with foreign powers.

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Trade Sanctions

Penalties imposed on one country by another to coerce a behavior change.

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Embargo/Tariffs

Government order that restricts trade of certain goods or with certain countries.

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Executive Branch Organization

The top-down structure of the Executive Branch.

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Federal Bureaucracy

Enforces federal law, puts laws into action through regulations.

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Civil Service System

System of hiring government workers based on merit and qualifications.

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Pendleton Act

Law that reformed the civil service system, mandating selections of employees based on merit.

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Study Notes

The President and Vice President

  • The Executive Branch includes the President.
  • The Constitution outlines the formal qualifications for the President.
  • Specific characteristics and changes to the office have occurred over time.
  • The 22nd Amendment addresses salary, benefits, and presidential succession.
  • The 25th Amendment concerns the Vice President.
  • The Electoral College determines the winner of presidential elections.
  • A total of 538 electoral votes exist, with Washington, D.C. receiving three.
  • The election process is indirect, requiring candidates to win the popular vote in states.
  • A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.
  • Swing states are important in presidential elections.
  • Major complaints exist regarding the Electoral College, including that it does not always result in a popular vote winner.

Roles of the President

  • The president's roles include Chief Executive, where they can issue executive orders and deliver the State of the Union Address.
  • The president has the power of appointments.
  • The president has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and amnesties.
  • The War Powers Resolution Act is relevant to the president's role.
  • Other roles: Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Legislative Leader, Head of State, Economic Leader, and Party Leader.

Foreign Policy

  • Four foreign policy goals exist.
  • Key entities: State Department, Secretary of State, Department of Defense, National Security Council, CIA, and Homeland Security Council.
  • Executive agreements and recognition of foreign governments are part of foreign policy.
  • Tools of foreign policy include trade sanctions, embargoes, tariffs, quotas, and military force as a last resort.

Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies

  • The Executive Branch is organized in a pyramid structure.
  • The Executive Office is important, including the White House Office, Chief of Staff, and Press Secretary.
  • The OMB and NSC are key entities.
  • The Secretary is in charge of the Executive Departments.
  • Homeland Security and the Cabinet are important.
  • Independent Agencies differ from Executive Government Corporations and Regulatory agencies.

The Federal Bureaucracy

  • The Executive Branch enforces federal law, putting laws into action through regulations.
  • The difference between federal employees and civil service positions as well as political appointments should be understood.
  • The Civil Service System should be understood.
  • Early history of federal jobs/civil service involved problems and public dissatisfaction.
  • The spoils system and assassination of J. Garfield are relevant to the history.
  • The Pendleton Act, also known as the Civil Service Reforms Act, is important.
  • Processes for applying for a job in the civil service today are based on merit.

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