3.2 informal sources of presidential power

Question 1

Informal sources of presidential power (6)

Answer 1

-Electoral mandate
-executive order
-national events
-the cabinet
-powers of persuasion
-EXOP (etc.)

Question 2

How can the electoral mandate be a source of power for a president

Answer 2

-President who wins effectively can often exercise more power

Question 3

Example of electoral mandate being powerful

Answer 3

-Obama won the 2008 election with around 53% of the vote
- within the first 2 years pushed for budget stimulus, health care reform and beginning the process of moving troops from Iraq.

Question 4

How are executive orders powerful

Answer 4

these are presidential directives to department on how to carry out a law
-Can create a legal order w/o vote in Congress

Question 5

What is executive order 14020

Answer 5

Biden- Establish the White House gender policy Council

Question 6

Limitations to executive orders (2)

Answer 6

-President has to show that they are directing the executive branch in a way that is not under the legislative role of Congress. Can be reviewed by courts
-Can be strong congressional and public outcry; need popularity to maintain power

Question 7

What was Trumps travel ban/ ‘muslim ban’

Answer 7

executive order 13769

Question 8

How can national events effect presidential power

Answer 8

In times of crisis a president can get a popularity bump (e.g Bush on 9/11)

Question 9

Example of national events weakening presidential power

Answer 9

2008 financial crisis- Obama had to prioritise an economic stimulus package;

Opposition to his healthcare policy increased, forcing him to water it down

Question 10

Example of national events strengthening presidential power

Answer 10

9/11 attacks
-Bush’s power surged dramatically
-dampened democrat opposition
-Was able to exert huge control over domestic politics and foreign policy

Question 11

Example of successful power of persuasion

Answer 11

Obama was able to get the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010

-Some of this success was due to the bipartisan appeals to republicans and healthcare summits

Question 12

Example of unsuccessful power of persuasion

Answer 12

Trump won party control in both the House and the Senate.
-Yet ‘repeal and replace’ (which would’ve got rid of Obamacare failed)

-Low electoral mandate/ approval ratings negatively effected his powers of persuasion

Question 13

How can the Cabinet be a source of power

Answer 13

-Cabinet can help make and execute policy

-Individuals in cabinet can lend presidential power if they have popularity

Question 14

Examples of prominent cabinet members (3)

Answer 14

-Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state played a big role in negotiating the START treaty in 2010
-John Kerry, secretary of state developed foreign policy, Israel/Palestine peace accords in 2013
-Joe Biden

Question 15

What is the Executive office of the president?

Answer 15

EXOP consists of those staff and bodies that immediately surround the president which help him carry out his duties

Question 16

How many people are in the EXOP

Answer 16

-1800

Question 17

What are the roles of the EXOP (5)

Answer 17

-Policy advice
-Manage the president
-Oversee the department
-Relations with Congress
-Specialist functions

Question 18

What is the National Security Council?

Answer 18

Principle body advising the president on national security and foreign policy issues

Question 19

example of NSA work

Answer 19

2012- Susan Rice was interviewed as Obama’s NSA in the aftermath of the Benghazi attack

Question 20

What is the Office of management and budget (OMB) role? (2)

Answer 20

-Advise president on the allocation of budget
-Oversee spending in all federal department and agencies

Question 21

example of OMB

Answer 21

2017- Mick Mulvaney, head of the OMB was given the role of repealing Obamacare

Question 22

What is the White House Office (WHO) (2)

Answer 22

-President’s closest aides and advisors
-Acts as a link between president and cabinet members and their departments