Chapter 12: Presidents

Question 1

What are the qualifications for being president?

Answer 1

35 years old
natural born US citizen
live in US for 14 years

Question 2

What amendments have to do with presidents?

Answer 2

12-President and VP elected together
20-term begins Jan. 20
22-term limits, two four year terms
25-order of succession and disability

Question 3

Who are the first four in the order of succession and disability?

Answer 3

President, VP, Speaker of the House, and then Pro Tempore

Question 4

Which article in the constitution deals with the executive branch?

Answer 4

Article II

Question 5

How is a president impeached?

Answer 5

• they have to commit a crime such as treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors
• House indicts the president (majority vote)
• Senate holds the trial (2/3 vote)
• Chief justice presides

Question 6

What are the responsibilities of the president as Head of State?

Answer 6

• symbol of the US
• no business
• ceremonial functions

Question 7

What are the responsibilities of the president as Chief Executive?

Answer 7

• hire and fire personal staff
• appointments of cabinet, confirmed by senate
• executive privilege (privy to information)
• executive order (order without consent of Congress)
• pardons

Question 8

What are the responsibilities of the president as Commander in Chief?

Answer 8

• allowed to send troops, but not declare war
• War powers act
• National Guard

Question 9

What is the role of the First Lady?

Answer 9

Takes on a project, but has no authority to do so

Question 10

What organizations are involved in the executive office?

Answer 10

• National Security Council
• Council of Economic
• Office of Management and Budget

Question 11

What does the National Security Council do?

Answer 11

• foreign and military affairs

- consists of the President, VP, secretary of state, and secretary of defense

Question 12

What does the Council of Economic do?

Answer 12

They are advisors of economic policy

Question 13

What are the responsibilities of the president as chief legislator?

Answer 13

• pass legislation

- veto power

Question 14

How doe Congress override a veto?

Answer 14

With a 2/3 vote in the House and Senate

Question 15

What is a pocket veto?

Answer 15

When Congress adjourns and the President does nothing after 10 days

Question 16

What is the third kind of veto?

Answer 16

When Congress doesn’t adjourn and the President doesn’t do anything after 10 days. The bill becomes a law

Question 17

What is the president’s job as Chief Diplomat?

Answer 17

• foreign relations

- executive agreement (agreement with another world leader, bypass Congress)

Question 18

What does the “Public President” do?

Answer 18

Gets public support (go public and gather opinions, push legislation when you have support)

Question 19

What are the duties of the VP?

Answer 19

• preside over the Senate

- take over if something happens to the president

Question 20

Why can the President only count on Congressional members of their party 2/3 of the time?

Answer 20

• Blue Dog Democrats are fiscally conservative

- Congressional members have a responsibility to their constituents

Question 21

What are presidential coattails?

Answer 21

When voters cast their ballots for Congressional candidates of the President’s party

Question 22

What is the deal with mid elections?

Answer 22

The majority party in Congress changes

Question 23

What is the electoral mandate?

Answer 23

The perception that voter’s support the president’s policies