ch 5 Flashcards
Formal (enumerated) powers
powers of the president expressly granted in the Constitution.
Informal powers
powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.
Treaty
an agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.
State of the Union Address
the annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs
Veto
formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.
Pocket veto
an informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session
Presidential pardon
presidential authority to release individuals convicted from a crime of legal consequences and forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime
Executive privilege
a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress
Executive agreement
an agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification
Signing statement
written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself.
Executive order
policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.
War Powers Resolution
a law passed over President Nixon’s veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization
Impeachment
the process of removing a president from office, with articles of impeachment issued by a majority vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate, with a two-thirds vote necessary to convict and remove
Executive Office of the President
a collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president
Bargaining and Persuasion
informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his policy initiatives.
Bully Pulpit
presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his policies
Going public
a tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president’s policy goals
4 Political Ideologies
- Liberal– large federal government involvement needed to provide for the people (welfare, new deal, great society)
- Socialist– belief in an extremely powerful state to protect people.
- Conservative– belief that limited government is necessary to grow strong economy, very pro-business anti-regulation.
- Libertarianism – belief in very small government and extreme focus on individual and business rights, no regulation of industry
Demographics
characteristics of population on income, education, race,
gender.
The Census
Every 10 years a count of the total population, different ethnic
groups, religions, and how people vote.
Redistricting
after every census the congressional districts are redrawn based
on population
Reapportionment
state legislatures reapportion (resize) state congressional districts after every census.
Gerrymandering
The practice of redistricting in order to benefit a specific party
by drawing districts based on the demo of their residents (Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno where court cases in which the supreme court ruled that gerrymandering was unconstitutional.
Party Identification
When people identify with a political party based on issues
Civic Duty
Belief that one has the obligation to in civic and political affairs.
Federalist No. 70 Why does Hamilton argue in favor of a strong executive?
Hamilton argues that an energetic single executive will protect against foreign attacks, provide for the administration of laws, and protect liberty and property.
How long is a presidential term, can you run for more than 1 term?
Term is 4 years with the possibility of a reelection.
3 Requirements for Presidential candidates:
Natural born citizen.
35 years old
resident of the nation for 14 years
Office of President has set of formal and informal powers, name 6:
power to carry out laws, guide foreign policy and relations with foreign leaders, make policy recommendations to Congress, veto legislation, act as commander and chief of the military, and grant pardons.
How have Presidents expanded their informal powers, give 3.
executive agreements, executive orders, and signing statements.
Who limits Executive power?
Powers granted to Congress and the Judiciary
Name 2 ways Congress checks executive powers.
budgetary powers and its power to override vetos
How does the Senate check the president?
confirming nominations to the cabinet and federal judiciary with a majority vote and by ratifying treatise with a two-thirds vote
Does Congress have the power to declare war?
yes
Who has the power to impeach the president?
The house of representatives
Who has the power to convict and remove an impeached president with a two-thirds vote?
The Senate
How does the Supreme Court check the President?
By overturning executive orders.
Who assumes the office of President if the president vacates?
Vice President
What does the 25th amendment do?
Sets rules for presidential succession and establishes the process for replacing the a vice president who leaves office during their term.
Does a President’s approval rating tend to improve or decline over time?
decline
Which branch can respond most quickly to threats?
President
