Untitled Document (3) PDF - Past U.S. Government Exam

Question 1 1 / 1 pts Even with large majorities of their own party in Congress, presidents experience difficulty in exercising legislative leadership because the president seldom addresses the same issues in the same way as members of Congress the president must compete against state governors...

Question 1 1 / 1 pts Even with large majorities of their own party in Congress, presidents experience difficulty in exercising legislative leadership because the president seldom addresses the same issues in the same way as members of Congress the president must compete against state governors for influence the nature of political parties leads to a disconnect between the executive & legislative branches individual members of Congress attract greater publicity when challenging the president Question 2 1 / 1 pts Generally, when is a president more likely to get congressional approval of proposed policies? After midterm congressional elections  In foreign affairs rather than in domestic affairs In social policy areas rather than in economic policy areas In the second term rather than in the first Question 3 1 / 1 pts Which statement is best supported by the above graph? all 2 term presidents had higher approval when they left office than when they entered George W. Bush maintained a high approval rating throughout his presidency most 2 term presidents have lass political capital to utilize during their 2nd term than the 1st term Ronald Reagan’s approval rating was never higher than 50 percent Question 4 1 / 1 pts Executive agreements have been cited as evidence that interest groups have too much power in the contemporary governmental system presidents have less power in handling foreign policy than in handling domestic policy the executive branch has become too large and bureaucratic modern presidents often try to avoid legislative checks and balances on their authority Question 5 1 / 1 pts Which is true of the War Powers Resolution (1973) as written? It runs counter to the intentions of the Framers by diminishing the separation of powers between the two branches of government in favor of Congress It gives the president the power to wage short-term wars without congressional approval It gives Congress the power to wage war without the president’s consent It gives the president absolute discretion in allocating how funds are used in war Question 6 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is an accurate comparison?  War Powers Act Budget & Impoundment Control Act A Limits Congressional abilities to Expands Congress’ powers over budget control presidential role of process Commander in Chief B Allows president to use military for Allows president to control use of domestic peace keeping appropriated money C Increases Congressional role in Essentially removes president from the execution of president’s Commander budget process after his proposal is sent in Chief role to Congress D Gives president power to declare war Requires the president sign all budget in extreme circumstances bills A D  B C Question 7 1 / 1 pts One example of constitutional checks & balances is Congress can override U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the constitutionality of laws the president nominates cabinet members, but the House holds confirmation hearings the president declares war, but Congress appropriates military funds the House can impeach federal judges & the president, & the Senate holds the impeachment trial Question 8 1 / 1 pts In Federalist 70, Hamilton argues in favor of a single executive based on what argument?  Congress would be better able to influence the executive if there is only one the strength of the government depends on the ability of the executive to effectively make decisions the executive will be more insulated from public opinion the executive will maintain internal checks & balances Question 9 1 / 1 pts When no presidential candidates receives a majority of the votes in the electoral college, the winner is chosen by the Senate only House of Representatives only majority of the House & Senate combined Supreme Court Question 10 1 / 1 pts When selecting a vice-presidential candidate, a presidential nominee is usually concerned primarily with choosing a running mate who comes from the same ideological wing of the party as the president can serve as the most important domestic policy advisor to the president has significant personal wealth adds balance & appeal to the national ticket Question 11 1 / 1 pts Presidents have had the most success in changed the direction of decisions of the federal judiciary by threatening to ask Congress to impeach specific judges using the media to build consensus for the president’s position using the appointment process to select judges with judicial philosophies similar to those of the president  requesting that Congress reduce the term of office that judges may serve Question 12 1 / 1 pts “The vice presidency demands a sublimation of ego so complete that the heart rates of some veeps decline to the point that they begin to resemble the residents of Statuary Hall.” --JACK SHAFER- Politico Magazine- February 26, 2019 The above quote relates best to which of the following statements about the Vice-President? VPs tend to be politically weak & unable to help the president with policy goals the main purpose of VPs is to put their own political ambitions aside & do whatever the president requires, when the president asks them to do it VPs are primarily a tool to help a presidential candidate get elected  it is unimportant for a VP to be able to act as president if needed Question 13 1 / 1 pts All of the following powers are granted to the President by the Constitution EXCEPT forming new cabinet-level departments granting pardons for federal offenses receiving ambassadors addressing the Congress on the state of the union Question 14 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is the most important influence on the choice made by voters in presidential elections? Partisan identification  Appeal of the candidates' spouses Party platform adopted at the national convention Endorsement by political incumbents Question 15 1 / 1 pts The largest amount of political coverage in newspapers during presidential campaigns is devoted to candidates' stances on foreign policy issues candidates' policy stances on domestic issues day-to-day campaign activities the platforms of the major parties Question 16 1 / 1 pts A state has 11 electoral votes. In a presidential election, the Democratic candidate receives 48 percent of that state's popular vote, the Republican candidate receives 40 percent of the vote, and an independent candidate receives 12 percent of the vote. If the state is similar to most other states, how will the electoral votes most likely be allocated? The votes will not be allocated until there has been a runoff election between the Democratic and Republican candidates The Democratic candidate will receive 6 electoral votes and the Republican will receive 5 The Democratic candidate will receive all 11 electoral votes The Democratic candidate will receive 5 electoral votes, the Republican will receive 4, and the independent will receive 2 Question 17 1 / 1 pts The request of recent Presidents for the line-item veto is a challenge to which of the following principles? Congressional oversight Senatorial courtesy Executive privilege Separation of powers Question 18 1 / 1 pts All of the following statements pertaining to the presidential veto are true EXCEPT: A vetoed bill is often revised and passed in another form A President may veto part of a bill Presidents often threaten to veto bills to increase their leverage with Congress Congress overrides fewer than ten percent of presidential vetoes Question 19 1 / 1 pts The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security, is known as executive privilege executive order executive secrecy presidential prerogative Question 20 1 / 1 pts In trying to influence legislation, the President is generally more successful than congressional leaders in effectively using formal parliamentary powers rather than persuasion satisfying interest group demands for access to the policy process enforcing party discipline  using the media to set the policy agenda Question 21 1 / 1 pts Supporters of granting the President a line-item veto would most likely argue that this power would increase a President's ability to provide effectively for national defense control federal spending avoid costly disputes with the judiciary negotiate understandings with foreign heads of government Question 22 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is true of an executive agreement made between a United States President and another head of state?  it does not require senate approval, but may require congressional allocation of funds for implementation it has more legal force than a treaty it does not require congressional funding because the president can use the power of the purse to raise implementation funds it is binding on all succeeding presidents & Congresses Question 23 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is true of the electoral college system? It encourages the emergence of third parties It encourages candidates to concentrate their campaigns in competitive, populous states It requires that a candidate win a minimum of 26 states to obtain a majority in the college It ensures that the votes of all citizens count equally in selecting the President Question 24 1 / 1 pts A decision by the president NOT to spend money appropriated by Congress is called line item veto executive privilege impoundment executive order Question 25 1 / 1 pts The _________________ is a presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies. cabinet Office of Management and Budget Council of Economic Advisers  Office of Administration Question 26 1 / 1 pts A rise in public approval of the president that follows a crisis is called an approval spike rally point a popularity bump a mandate Question 27 1 / 1 pts The _____________ Amendment, ratified in 1804, allowed electors to cast separate votes for the president and vice president. Sixth  Twenty-Third Twelfth Nineteenth Question 28 1 / 1 pts The president’s authority over the day-to-day operation of the federal government points to his role as chief diplomat administrator in chief chief legislator chief party leader Question 29 1 / 1 pts A presidential appointment made without Senate confirmation when the Senate is on a formal break is known as a(n) executive appointment illegal appointment recess appointment end-around appointment Question 30 1 / 1 pts The constitutional requirement that presidents faithfully execute laws comes from the ___________ clause. take care elastic administrative vesting Question 31 1 / 1 pts Under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment, presidents can be removed temporarily from office if the White House physician signs a letter saying the president is unable to perform his/her duties a two-thirds majority of state governors sign a petition requesting a recall election a majority of members on the Supreme Court deem him incapable of serving the vice president and a majority of either Congress or the president’s own cabinet secretaries declare him unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office Question 32 1 / 1 pts In 2003, the Bush administration negotiated with Mexico to create a “smart border” that would limit the movement of illegal aliens into the United States, while improving the flow of goods between the two nations. This arrangement, which never went to Congress for formal approval, is an example of  a pocket veto a treaty an executive agreement executive privilege Question 33 1 / 1 pts THERE is an idea, which is not without its advocates, that a vigorous Executive is inconsistent with the genius of republican government. The enlightened well-wishers to this species of government must at least hope that the supposition is destitute of foundation… Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government…. A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government…. The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers. The ingredients which constitute safety in the republican sense are, first, a due dependence on the people, secondly, a due responsibility. Those politicians and statesmen who have been the most celebrated for the soundness of their principles and for the justice of their views, have declared in favor of a single Executive and a numerous legislature…. --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, 1788 Which of the following did Alexander Hamilton advocate for in Federalist No. 70? a president with no term limits to allow voters to keep a popular president in office a politically weak figurehead as president whose main purpose was as a symbolic leader a single executive with greater powers as well as the ability to exercise those powers a plural executive that would provide greater checks & balances on this strong branch of government Question 34 1 / 1 pts One of the responsibilities given to the vice president in the Constitution is to act as speaker of the House of Representatives to break tie votes in the Senate to act as commander in chief  to deliver the annual State of the Union Address Question 35 1 / 1 pts The Twenty-fifth Amendment was enacted in order to clear up uncertainties over the constitutional provisions surrounding __________. presidential term limits presidential and vice-presidential succession and disability the president’s powers to negotiate treaties presidential powers to conduct war Question 36 1 / 1 pts According to the following situation, which candidate would become president of the United States if the election were held today?  Candidate A- 25,056,743 / 260 Electoral Votes / 25 states won Candidate B- 24,956,345 / 222 Electoral Votes / 17 states won Candidate C- 4,674,765 / 56 Electoral Votes / 8 states won Candidate A- it goes to the winner of the electoral vote Candidate B- won in the most states a runoff election is held between the top 2 candidates the House of Reps decides Question 37 1 / 1 pts What would be a plausible explanation as to Obama’s statistical results concerning the data represented in the bar graph? Republican’s use of Discharge Petitions Divided Government Unified Government  Democrat’s use of Filibusters Question 38 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the ability of the legislative and executive branches to check each other? Ability of the Legislative Branch to Ability of the Executive Branch to check the Executive Branch check the Legislative Branch A The House may reject Supreme The president may veto bills presented Court nominations B The legislative branch may conduct The president may for any reason refuse oversight hearings of executive to spend money that has been authorized branch agencies and appropriated C The Senate may declare an executive The president may call Congress into order unconstitutional session D The legislative branch may ignore a The bureaucracy may implement a federal government budget proposed statute in a manner inconsistent with by the president congressional intent provided it does not excessively alter the law A B D C Question 39 1 / 1 pts Which of the following is an example of a rally point? Jimmy Carter gained respect during his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis Ronald Reagan’s approval rating increased sharply during the Iran-Contra scandal George H. W. Bush was reelected after winning the first Gulf War George W. Bush’s popularity was boosted following the 9/11 terrorist attacks Question 40 1 / 1 pts The president who takes office after winning an election with a large electoral margin can influence Congress through evidence of popular support, otherwise known as __________. a mandate a presidential support score an executive order  rally points Question 41 1 / 1 pts Presidents with a sufficient amount of __________ have an easier time influencing Congress, while those with low levels find influencing Congress more difficult. electoral victories experienced staff members political capital notable appointees Question 42 1 / 1 pts Why does Lyndon Johnson’s presidential ranking tend to be lower than the rankings of Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt?  his domestic policy victories are overshadowed by the failure he experienced as Commander in Chief personal scandal & policy failures cause him to be ranked low in historical approval his social programs like Medicare & Head Start did not have enough impact on the welfare of citizens he was unable to make any headway in the arena of civil rights Question 43 1 / 1 pts Why does the perception of a mandate matter in presidential politics? Because Congress sees the president as holding a mandate of the people, the legislators do not block the president’s agenda as vehemently as legislators in the past did Because modern presidents are more dependent on the people for election and more involved in policy making than early presidents, they are prone to claim the mandate of the people when governing The president’s mandate consists of the modern perception among members of Congress that, by virtue of having been elected, the president has the ability to manage the bureaucracy  Since public approval has become much more important to modern presidents, most presidents rely on the mandate and the polls to measure their popularity and increase their approval ratings Question 44 1 / 1 pts AVERAGE NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED DURING ADMINISTRATIONS- 1953-2012 What is the most likely explanation for the decline in executive orders issued by presidents? public & Congressional reaction to mid-20th century presidents' use of executive orders was seen as attempts to avoid the duly elected representatives of the people, making it politically dangerous to issue as many as their predecessors  After Ford & Carter, Congress passed legislation that limited the ability of the president to issue executive orders Congressional productivity increased to the point presidents no longer need to use the executive order as much the Supreme Court began striking down so many executive orders presidents became hesitant to issue them for fear of political damage Question 45 1 / 1 pts In crafting the executive branch, what was the motive behind the decisions of the Constitution’s Framers? to create a weak national leader that could easily be dominated by Congress to create an effective national leader directly tied to the citizens to create a leader with enough authority to protect the nation from domestic and foreign threats but not so strong that he/she would jeopardize liberty to create an effective national leader but still under the influence on Congress