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Politics Paper 3 > 3.2 Informal sources of presidential power > Flashcards

3.2 Informal sources of presidential power Flashcards

1
Q

7

List informal sources of power of the President

A
  • establish cabinet
  • electoral mandate
  • executive action
  • national events
  • power of persuasion
  • EXOP
  • Vice President’s powers de facto given to President
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2
Q

4

Describe the informal power of electoral mandate

A
  • Idea that the larger the electoral mandate of a President, the greater informal power they have
  • Party success in Congress
  • Obamacare arguably enabled by substantial victory (53% vs 46%)
  • Trump agenda arguably stifled by popular vote loss e.g. building wall
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3
Q

4

List executive actions

A
  • Executive orders
  • Executive memorandums
  • Presidential proclamations
  • Signing statements
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4
Q

3

Describe how executive actions are informal powers

A
  • Article II allows a president ‘executive power’
  • Intepreted as being able to organise EXOP and carry out range of ‘executive actions’ (actions President can take without congressional approval)
  • Includes executive orders, signing statements and presidential memoranda
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5
Q

4

Describe executive orders

A
  • Directions to federal bureaucracy instructing them how an existing/new law should be carried out
  • Can ‘faithfully execute’ laws passed by Congress
  • May use executive orders to create policy when Congress refuses to pass a law the President wanted
  • recorded in Federal Register
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6
Q

3

Describe limits to executive orders

A
  • Can not use exec orders to create legislation (simply instructions to deparments/agencies regarding the enforcement of legislation)
  • Rulings can be easily overturned by congressional legislation, SC ruling, new exec orders (by new Presidents)
  • Congress has power to pass appropriation (finance) bills
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7
Q

4

Describe executive memorandums

A
  • A directive issued by the president to manage and govern the actions, practices, and policies of the various departments and agencies found under the executive branch.
  • Similar to executive orders but lack formal process (so less prominent)
  • Not recorded in Federal Register and not numbered
  • e.g. 2021, Biden used memo to secure DACA after Trump tried to end programme in 2017
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8
Q

3

Describe presidential proclamations

A
  • Historically significant though today are mostly ceremonial
  • Recorded in Federal Register and numbered
  • Unlike exec orders, they give directions to agencies/departments outside executive branch
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9
Q

3

Describe the use of presidential proclamations

A
  • Bush declared ‘National Emergency by Reason of Certain Terrorist Attacks’ in 2001
  • Used to fly flags at half mast
  • Biden made 194 proclamations in 1st year
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10
Q

5

Describe the signing of statements by Presidents

A
  • Can sign statements when sign bill into law
  • Points out positive or negative aspects of bill, even challenging them on constitutional grounds
  • e.g. Obama - National Defence Authorisation Act 2011 - spoke of resevrations over Act’s codification of indefnite detention without trial
  • Historically rare used, more common since Reagan
  • Raises concern about power President has oover legislation
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11
Q

3

Describe the informal power of national events (with examples)

A
  • Positive national circumstances can bolster President’s influence - booming economy under Clinton, 9/11 led to Americans looking to Bush as leader
  • Not always guaranteed - Trump had booming economy iin 2018 yet approval ratings declined
  • Negative national circumstances can hinder President’s influence - Biden handling over Afghanistan withdrawal
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12
Q

2 + 2

Outline a positive and negative national event (Clinton)

A

Positive:
* Oklahoma bombing 1995 killed 168
* Clinton used story of Richard Dean, who re-entered building to rescue people, who had been furloughed by 2 government shutdowns to criticse Congressional failings

Negative:
* accused of lying under Oath during 1998 Monica Lewinsky Scanda;
* subject to impeachment and found ‘not guilty’ - though embarrassed him on national stage

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13
Q

2 + 2

Outline a positive and negative national event (Bush)

A

Positive
* 9/11 saw Bush approval ratings immediately jump from 50% to 85%
* Boosted power after poor election result

Negative
* Hurricane Katrina 2005 in New Orleans
* slow Bush response and inadequate FEMA support embarrassed national headlines

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14
Q

3 + 1

Outline a neutral and positive national event (Obama)

A

Neutral
* Sandy Hook 2012
* Obama appeared as mourner-in-chief and advanced gun control agenda
* Little action ultimately came as a result

Positive
* Obama used Hurricane Sandy 2012 events to dominate media coverage during 2012 Presidential race

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15
Q

1 + 1

Outline a negative national event (Trump)

A

Positive
* Initial onset of COVID initially boosted poll ratings from 44% to 49% in March 2020 (though declined shortly afterwards)

Negative
* Hurricane Maria 2017 (Puerto Rico) courted controversy by declaring slow response a ‘great success’

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16
Q

2 + 2

Outline a positive and negative national event (Biden)

A

Positive

  • Ukraine invasion 2022
  • Biden used crisis to focus on FP, shape State of Union address and visit Poland for NATO meeting

Negative

  • fatal Afghanistan withdrawal 2021
  • chaotic events saw Taliban reclaim control which damaged Biden FP
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17
Q

1

Describe the use of executive actions under Biden

A
  • Biden signed 17 executive actions within hours of taking office
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18
Q

2

Give an example of an executive order

A
  • Biden 2021 - Executive Order 13990
  • Cancelled Keystone Pipeline and 100 other environmental actions of Trumo
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19
Q

1

Describe the informal power of persuasion

A
  • Power of the President to bargain and persuade those around them in order to achieve policy goals
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20
Q

8

Describe the methods by which the power of persuasion is used

A
  • Appeal morally and directly to Congress
  • State of Union address
  • ‘Bully pulpit’
  • Use personal gravitas by phoning congressional leaders or holding meetings with them (may be delegated to WH Chief of Staff)
  • Utilise media pressure
  • Offer inducements and compromises
  • Use actions of executive branch to get congressional approval
  • ‘personality politics’ in US leads to focus on individuals
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21
Q

1

Give an example of a President appealing morally to Congress

A
  • Obama used Rose Garden speech 2013 to convince Congress of need to support military action against Syria
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22
Q

2

Describe the ‘bully pulpit’ (with an example)

A
  • White House provides significant platform for President to exert considerable pressure on lawmakers
  • Trump bussed entire Senate to WH in 2017 to explain why a show of strength against North Korea was necessary
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23
Q

1

Give an example of a President using their personal gravitas to persuade Congress

A
  • Trump sent Senior Counselor Kellyanne Conway to speak with Congress whips to get tax bill passed
24
Q

2

Give an example of a President using the media to persuade Congress

A
  • 2011, Obama asked public to get Congress to raise debt ceilings,
  • Led to Speaker Boehner recieving 203 calls in oen day
25
Q

1

Give an example of a President offering inducments to persuade Congress

A
  • Obama promised no deployment of US soldiers in Syria to gain support for military action
26
Q

2

Give an example of a President using executive powers to win congressional approval

A
  • Obama deported more people than any other President ro gain trust on immigration issues
  • Aimed to win support for his immigration reforms - ultimately failed
27
Q

3

Describe ‘personality politics’

A
  • Focus on individual rather than party both during election time and legislative sessions
  • President offers public support for party Congress members in return for support of legislative agenda
  • Boosts re-election chances of Congress member
28
Q

4

Describe other factors that affect political party policies and ideas other than the presidential ‘power of persuasion’

A
  • Parties create national agenda indepdent of Presidential influence e.g. Contract with America (1994), 6 for 06 (2006)
  • Parties cooperate to oppose divisive Presidential policy e.g. Obamacare repeal
  • Interest groups (especially PACs and Super-PACs) have greater influence
  • Voter attitudes
29
Q

2

Describe the Contract with America and 6 for 06

A
  • Nationalised policy platforms used in Congressional mid-term elections
  • Pedalled by party opposing the incumbent party in the WH
30
Q

2

How can the President establish a cabinet through their expressed/implied powers

A
  • Article 2 expressly allows President to appoint ‘Officers of the United States’ (cabinet members)
  • Power to ‘require the Opinion’ of these offiicals implies power of President to create cabinet
31
Q

6

Describe the US cabinet’s power and role

A
  • Has no formal power
  • Advisory body rather than decision-making body
  • President maintains final say over policy (‘first’ rather than ‘first among equals’)
  • Ability for members to manage departmental-level policy is crucial for President who is unable to manage so many departments alone
  • Undertake work and roles on behalf of President e.g. Mike Pompeo (Sec of State) sent to meet newly-elected Mexico President in 2018 to improve relations
  • Settle inter-departmental disputes (esp with Treasury)
32
Q

7

Describe the membership of the US Cabinet

A
  • President not a member (unlike PM)
  • VP (cannot be sacked) + 15 heads of executive departments
  • also may commonly include WH Chief of Staff, Ambassador to UN, Director of OMB, etc
  • Any position can be filled by anyone (though VP must fit Presidential requirements e.g. US-born) - do not have to be from legislature
  • separation of powers if take executive position, must resign legislative/judicial/state position (no dual mandate)
  • most positions require senate confirmation
  • note: fixed posts are referred to as ‘secretaries’ (or VP) - others are not
33
Q

3

Describe the President’s selection of the cabinet

A
  • Cabinet members are often policy specialists and lend support to President in policy objectives
  • other members up to discretion of President and reflective of policy priorities/national circumstances of time
  • Do not regularly include ‘big beasts’ e.g. Bernie Sanders with exceptions (Hilary Clinton in Obama administration)
34
Q

2

Give an example of the President choosing a cabinet post that represents their personal policy objectives

A
  • Position of Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy elevated to cabinet level
  • Demonstrated importance of science in Biden adminsitration
35
Q

4

List examples of US cabinet members

A
  • Janet Yellen (Secretary of Treasury) - finance expert
  • Merrick Garland (Attorney General) - Chief Justice of the US Court of Appeals for DC Circuit
  • Tom Vilsack (Sec of Agriculture) - a former Governor of Iowa, a rural state
  • Chuck Hagel (Rep) appointed Secretary of Defence by Obama in 2013
36
Q

2

Describe an example that shows the lack of CMR over the US Cabinet

A
  • 2014, Hagel described ISIS as ‘imminent threat’ whereas Obama described it as akin to a junior basketball team
  • Took months for resignation
37
Q

3

Give an example of a Cabinet nomination that was rejected

A
  • Bush Sr - John Tower (Sec of Defence)
  • Senate rejected 47-53
  • conflicts of interets and personal life controversial
38
Q

4

How common are Cabinet nomination rejections by the Senate?

A
  • Only 9 formal rejections
  • None since 1989 (Tower)
  • Withdrawals are more common
  • e.g. Neera Tanden withdrew as Biden’s Director of OMB nominee over transparency committment as she deleted 1000s of old tweets
39
Q

3

How does the President create new Federal Executive Departments?

A
  • An Act of Congress
  • e.g. Homeland Security Act of 2002 - created Department of Homeland Security
  • ‘principal officer’ of each Executive Department in Article II (though not cabinet) - hence why they require Senate approval
40
Q

2

Describe the diversity of the US cabinet

A
  • Biden cabinet is 45% women, 55% non-white
  • Trump had most white-male dominated Cabinet since 1980s (Reagan)
41
Q

3

How can US cabinet members be sacked?

A
  • Impeachment (simple majority) and removal (2/3 supermajority) by Congress
  • Dismissal by President e.g. Rex Tillerson (2018) as Sec of State
  • Applies for Secretaries of Executive Departments + other positions - but not VP
42
Q

3

Describe the frequency of cabinet meeting

A
  • Roughly once a month (rather than once a week by convention in UK)
  • Departments are not all in DC e.g. Pentagon in Virginia
  • Frequency decline as election campaign gets closer
43
Q

3

List the different bodies of the Executive Office of the President (EXOP)

A
  • Natonal Security Council (NSC)
  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
  • White House Office (WHO)
44
Q

4

Describe the National Security Council (NSC)

A
  • Led by NSA (national security advisor)
  • help president coordinate FP and security
  • should be impartial force (‘honest broker’) to aid decision-making and avoid politicising information
  • NSC coordinates information from CIA, State and Defence departments, ambassadors and joint chiefs of staff
45
Q

3

Describe examples of how the importance of the NSA and NSC differs depending on the President

A
  • Obama had strong-minded Hilary Clinton as Sec of State - NSC was less important
  • Michael Flynn forced out as NSA after 23 days (Trump) due to allegations of lying to FBI
  • NSC had crucial role in ending Vietnam War when Kissinger served as NSC 1969-75
46
Q

1

Describe an example of the politicisation of the NSC

A
  • Steve Bannon appointed to NSC Principals Committee
47
Q

4

Describe the Office of Management and Budget

A
  • Headed by Director of OMB
  • Produces President’s budget and ensure policy delivery
  • OMB vets all proposed legislation, analyses budget impacts and checks alignment with Presidential proposals
  • Therefore plays vital role in advancing Presidential agenda
48
Q

2

Describe examples of the OMB’s power

A
  • OMB requested over $5bn for Trump wall - led to longest government shutdown
  • Important in shaping govenrment intervention in 2008 crash and COVID-Pandemic
49
Q

1

What is unique about the Director of the OMB?

A

OMB head requires senate confirmation - one of only EXOP roles requiring such

50
Q

4

Describe the White House Office (WHO)

A
  • Headed by Chief of Staff
  • Contains President’s most trusted advisors
  • Acts as communication link between President and large federal bureaucracy
  • Contains Press Secretary - most public figure of administration
51
Q

6

Describe the White House Chief of Staff

A
  • most senior non-elected/senate-appointed official
  • highest level of clearance to President
  • most access to sensitive information
  • controls access to president
  • controls President’s diary/agenda
  • acts as go-between President and Congress
52
Q

2

Describe examples of experienced WH Chief of Staffs

A
  • Rahm Emmanuel (Obama) - served as Chair of House Democratic Commitee
  • Jeff Zientes (Biden) - served in variety of EXOP roles once serving as Director of OMB under Obama
53
Q

2

Describe examples where the WH Chief of Staff has been criticised

A
  • Reince Priebus (Trump) - criticised for acting as go-between for President and Republican party, not Congress
  • Ron Klain (Biden) - accused of pushing WH policy to left and lack of bipartisanship on COVID-19 relief bill discussions
54
Q

3

Compare the WHO and Policy Unit

A
  • Both can take more influential role on policy than cabinet
  • Less power concentrated within Policy Unit than WHO
  • Plays less important role in coordinating department activity in UK, insetad left to Cabinet office
55
Q

4

List the current heads of EXOP

A
  • WH Chief of Staff - Jeff Zientes
  • NSA - Jake Sullivan
  • Director of OMB - Shalanda Young
  • Bonus: WH Press Secretary - Karine Jean-Pierre

Check nearer exam due to high turnover

56
Q

2

Describe Biden’s power of persuasion over the current House speaker

A
  • Showed Mike Johnson intelligence briefings to persuade him
  • Did not criticse him publically

Politics Paper 3 (34 decks)

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