US Presidency: Qualifications and Powers

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the use of an executive order by the President?

  • The President appoints a new Supreme Court justice, who is then confirmed by the Senate.
  • The President proposes a new law to Congress aimed at reforming the healthcare system.
  • The President negotiates a trade agreement with a foreign nation, which is then ratified by the Senate.
  • The President directs federal agencies to modify their regulations regarding environmental protection. (correct)

Which scenario BEST illustrates the function of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?

  • The OMB advises the President on foreign policy matters and national security threats.
  • The OMB assists the President in preparing the annual federal budget and evaluating the effectiveness of agency programs. (correct)
  • The OMB mediates disputes between states and the federal government.
  • The OMB enforces federal laws and prosecutes individuals accused of violating them.

How can Congress check the President's power to wage war?

  • By overriding a presidential veto of the War Powers Resolution. (correct)
  • By refusing to ratify treaties negotiated by the President.
  • By impeaching the President for abuse of power.
  • By declaring war without the President's consent to overrule the Commander in Chief.

A bill passes both the House and Senate but the President disagrees with Section 4 of the bill, so strikes it out and signs the bill into law. This is an example of what?

<p>A line-item veto (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST illustrates an informal qualification for becoming President of the United States?

<p>Having prior experience in a government office (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario BEST illustrates the concept of 'frontloading' in the U.S. presidential election process?

<p>A state decides to hold its primary election in March rather than in May to increase its influence on the selection of presidential candidates. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best describes the 'rally 'round the flag' effect?

<p>A President's approval ratings increase significantly following a major international crisis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a president choose to enter into an executive agreement rather than a treaty?

<p>Executive agreements do not require Senate ratification, making them quicker and easier to enact. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the role of the press secretary?

<p>Managing communication between the White House and the media. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the use of a 'signing statement' by the President?

<p>The President includes a written declaration upon signing a bill into law, outlining their interpretation of certain provisions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a presidential election, a state has 13 electoral votes. Candidate A receives 45% of the popular vote, Candidate B receives 40%, and Candidate C receives 15%. Who wins the electoral votes for that state, and what concept does this illustrate?

<p>Candidate A wins all 13 electoral votes; plurality (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios BEST exemplifies executive privilege?

<p>The President refuses to disclose confidential communications with advisors to Congress, citing national security. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of pledged delegates in the U.S. presidential nomination process?

<p>To vote for the candidate they were assigned to support based on the results of primaries or caucuses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The President vetoes a bill passed by Congress. What action can Congress take to override the veto?

<p>A two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a formal power granted to the Vice President?

<p>Breaking tie votes in the Senate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the presidential election, candidates often focus their resources and attention on 'swing states.' What is the primary reason for this strategy?

<p>Swing states have a large number of electoral votes that are not consistently aligned with one party. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the difference between an open primary and a closed primary?

<p>Open primaries allow independents to vote, while closed primaries restrict voting to registered party members. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the President acting as Commander in Chief?

<p>Deploying troops to assist in a humanitarian crisis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A state holds a meeting where party members give speeches supporting presidential candidates, and then divide themselves into groups based on their preferred candidate. Groups that don't meet a minimum size disband and join other groups. Finally, a vote is taken. Which of the following describes this process?

<p>Democratic caucus (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of a 'safe state' in U.S. presidential elections?

<p>A state where a particular political party has a long-standing and overwhelming level of support. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role that the media plays in establishing a policy agenda?

<p>Highlighting pressing issues and current events. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of the Chief of Staff?

<p>Controlling access to the President and coordinating the White House staff. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'convention bump'?

<p>The increase in polling numbers a candidate receives after a national convention. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'pocket veto' differ from a regular veto?

<p>A pocket veto occurs when the President doesn't sign a bill and Congress adjourns, while a regular veto is an active rejection of a bill. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Members of which group are least likely to be unpledged delegates during the National Convention?

<p>Those selected in primaries and caucuses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The President proposes a new policy initiative focused on climate change, and the White House staff begins working to gather data, consult experts, and draft the necessary documents. Which of the following does this best represent?

<p>Policy agenda (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A president has a very popular first year in office, but then becomes embroiled in scandal and his approval ratings plummet. The president's advisors suggest they declare a national emergency in order to regain control and pass some controversial measures. Why would declaring a national emergency help the president?

<p>It would allow them to put through policies that usually would be questioned for the sake of national security. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the President utilizing their informal powers?

<p>The President issuing an executive order. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for White House staff to maintain confidentiality?

<p>To protect the President's executive privilege. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

President

Head of the Executive Department and Commander in Chief of the military.

Vice President

Second in command, President of the Senate, and influential Cabinet member.

Formal qualifications

Being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and having resided in a state for 14 years.

Informal qualifications

Typical, but not necessary, characteristics like being white, Protestant, highly educated, and having government experience.

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Commander in Chief

President's title denoting responsibility for national security and power to deploy armed forces.

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Office of Management and Budget

Executive branch office that decides the federal budget and assists in policymaking.

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National Security Council

Government body advising the President on national security and foreign relations.

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Veto

Presidential action denying a law's passage, which can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress.

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Pocket veto

Presidential action delaying a law by refusing to sign it, effective if Congress adjourns within ten days.

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Line-item veto

Denying specific parts of a bill, approving the rest; can be used to target certain provisions.

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Treaty

Alliance with another country for peace, economic growth, trade, or other mutual benefits.

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War Powers Resolution

Federal law limiting the president's war-making power by asserting Congress's role.

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Informal powers

Presidential powers not explicitly outlined, developed over time through actions.

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Executive agreement

Binding international agreement made by the President without Senate consent.

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Executive order

Legislation created and signed by the president, acting as a directive to executive departments.

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National emergency

A state of emergency declared by the president, often used for national security measures.

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Signing statement

Statements by the president when signing a bill, outlining their interpretation and intent.

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Primary

Election where voters go to a polling place, write their nominee, and submit it.

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Open primary

Anyone can vote for any candidate in the primary, regardless of party affiliation.

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Closed primary

Only party members can vote for candidates within their own party.

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Caucus

Meeting where party members register preferences for presidential candidates through speeches and voting.

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Pledged delegates

Delegates who must vote for candidates chosen in primaries and caucuses during the national convention.

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National convention

Convention where party members decide candidates; pledged delegates vote accordingly.

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Frontloading

States move primaries earlier to increase their importance, influencing candidate selection.

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Electoral College

Electoral body that formally casts votes for president based on state-by-state popular vote results.

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"Convention bump"

Increase in popularity after the National Convention as nominees start campaigning.

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Swing / battleground states

States with a high concentration of Republicans and Democrats, causing them to 'swing'.

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Safe states

States that almost always vote for a certain party due to consistent voter preferences.

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Policy agenda

A list of issues and topics that need to be addressed, ordered by importance.

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Plurality

Candidate wins with the most votes, even without a majority (over 50%).

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Study Notes

  • President is the head of the Executive Department and Commander in Chief.
  • Holds formal and informal powers, including implementing national responses to crises, and issuing executive orders.
  • Presidents must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident for at least 14 years.
  • Vice President is second in command, presides over the Senate, and possesses influence within the Cabinet.

Formal Qualifications

  • Requirements outlined in Article II of the Constitution.
  • Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States.
  • Must be at least 35 years old.
  • Must have resided in a state for at least fourteen years.

Informal Qualifications

  • Typical characteristics, not constitutionally required.
  • Historically, most presidents have been white, Protestant (some Catholic), and male, with higher education and government experience.
  • Commander in Chief: Title held by the President, responsible for national security.
  • Can deploy armed forces, even for up to 60 days in non-war situations without Congressional approval.

Executive Branch Entities

  • Office of Management and Budget assists the President in policymaking through budget decisions.
  • National Security Council advises the President on national security and foreign relations, established in 1947.

Veto Actions

  • Veto: Presidential denial of a bill passed by the Legislative branch; Congress can override with a 2/3 vote in each house.
  • Pocket veto: Indirect veto by inaction; the bill dies if the President ignores it for 10 days while Congress is in recess.
  • Line-item veto: Presidential denial of specific parts of a bill.

Treaties and War Powers

  • Treaty: An alliance with another country, promoting peace, economic growth, or trade.
  • War Powers Resolution: A 1973 law limiting the President's war-waging power, requiring Congressional consent for extended military deployments; Nixon's veto of this law was overridden.

Informal & Executive Powers

  • Informal powers evolved over time, not explicitly defined in the Constitution.
  • Executive agreement: A binding international agreement made by the President without Senate approval.
  • Executive order: A presidential directive to executive departments, implementing laws; subject to judicial review.
  • National emergency: A declaration by the President, allowing for policies that might otherwise be questioned, justified by national security.
  • Signing statement: A written statement by the President upon signing a bill, outlining their interpretation and intent.

Presidential Elections

  • Primary: A state-level election to nominate presidential candidates, occurring between January and June.
  • Open primary: Any registered voter can participate, regardless of party affiliation.
  • Closed primary: Only registered party members can vote in their party's primary.
  • Caucus: A meeting of local party members to register preferences for presidential candidates in some states.
  • Republican Caucus: Involves speeches, nominations, and a hidden ballot vote.
  • Democratic Caucus: Involves speeches, partitioning of party members to delegates, and voting.
  • Pledged delegates: Delegates who must vote for the candidates chosen in primaries and caucuses.
  • National convention: A convention after primaries and Caucuses to vote to decide on candidates.
  • Convention: A voting “center” for the members of a party to decide their candidates.

Electoral and Political Landscape

  • Frontloading: States moving primaries/caucuses earlier in the year to increase their importance.
  • Electoral College: A body that formally casts votes for President, with 270 votes needed to win.

Post-Convention period

  • “Convention bump”: Increased popularity following the National Convention.
  • Swing / battleground states: States with a high concentration of Republicans and Democrats, leading to variable election outcomes.
  • Safe states: States with consistent voting patterns for a particular party.
  • Red states: States that consistently vote Republican.
  • Blue states: States that consistently vote Democrat.
  • Policy agenda: A prioritized list of issues for discussion, influenced by government officials and media.
  • Plurality: Winning with the most votes, even without a majority.
  • Majority: Winning with at least 50% plus 1 of the votes.

White House Staff

  • The group of personnel that assist the president.
  • White House staff and senior advisors selected by the President for policy assistance.
  • Chief of Staff is the key advisor to the President and head of the White House staff.
  • Press secretary manages communication between the President and the public.
  • Rally round the flag effect: Popularity spikes after a president handles a crisis effectively.
  • Executive privilege: Authority of the executive branch to withhold confidential communications from the legislative branch and the courts.

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