Essay paragraphs

Question 1

Discuss the nature of the campaign as a factor that impacts the advantage of an incumbent

Answer 1

Incumbents invariably out-spend challengers, and have better staffing resources
Have media attention and recognition

However, Money doesn’t guarantee victory, Super PACs are a useful resource of independent spending
Charismatic candidates have the same advantage
e.g Joe Biden already had recognition from his Vice Presidency 2009-2017
e.g Clinton’s charisma ultimately limited the advantage of the incumbent (George H W Bush in 1992)

Question 2

Discuss the lack of primary challenge as a factor that impacts the advantage of an incumbent

Answer 2

Most presidents don’t face a serious primary challenger

However, Incumbents can face a primary challenger
Still may be issues with party until regardless of challengers

eg Bush vs Pat Buchanan in 1992
eg Carter challenged by Ted Kennedy who was successful in 12 states in 1980

Question 3

Discuss experience in office as a factor that impacts the advantage of an incumbent

Answer 3

Can use evidence of their successes to persuade, whereas challengers have no evidence and therefore may not be as trusted in their policy

However, this depends on the record of the incumbent
Challengers can make pledges that are only theoretical and don’t need to back them up with evidence

Eg Trump may have won the 2020 election if events had not damaged the economy
The incumbents record on the economy seems to be a significant factor, with incumbents frequently loosing if the economy was in recession during their presidency
eg Carter and the recession in the 1980s

Question 4

The structure of an introduction about advantages of and incumbent president

Answer 4

Significance- in the last 40 years, out of those who have seeked reelection, four have one and three have lost

Factors- nature of the campaign
lack of primary challenger
experience in office

LOA- a slight advantage, however can be limited by circumstance

Question 5

The structure of an introduction on the powers of the president

Answer 5

Significance- After 9/11, arguments of an imperial president

Bush- If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier

Factors-
relationship with Congress
Checks of the SC
Events

LOA- although events can slightly loosen these checks, the SofPs and checks and balances and Congressional oversight does restrict the power of the pres.

Question 6

Discuss relationship with Congress as a factor that impacts the president’s power

Answer 6

Weak limits-
United gov.
Pres. can pardon, veto and sign treaties, do executive orders

Eg Trump’s 2017 executive order for the travel ban
Eg Budget shutdown 2018-19, 35 days
Eg 2014- John Boehner ‘Emperor Obama’ over his immigration policy

Strong limits-
loosing midterms
Congress ratify treaties
Constitution states Congress should deal with immigration etc. putting limits on exec. orders
Regardless of party, may represent constituents
veto override

Eg Obama’s Victims against Sponsors of Terrorism Act 2016, veto override
Eg 2009, several Democrats stopped supporting Obamacare after meeting with constituents
Eg the Senate didn’t ratify Obama’s Paris Climate Deal, Clinton’s Kyoto Climate deal 1998

Question 7

Discuss checks from the SC as a factor that impacts president’s power

Answer 7

Weak limits
appointments
Can rule in President’s favour

Eg Trump vs Hawaii on US travel ban
Eg Amy Coney-Barrett’s appointment makes the court decisively conservative

Strong limits
SC is bipartisan, independent and neutral, the president does not have power over the SC
Congress confirms SC appointments- Senate ratification
Eg Filibuster Trump’s nomination of Gorsuch in the Senate in 2017
Eg Texas vs the US 2016- the DREAM Act

Question 8

Discuss events as a factor that impacts presidential power

Answer 8

Weak limits
‘War on Terror’ following 9/11, and increase in powers to the president
School shootings
Acting without Congress in cases of war
Eg 2011, Obama and Libyan airstrikes without permission of Congress
Eg Patriot Act- Bush
Eg Trump’s 2017 Syrian missile strike
Eg Federal gov. Rebuilding NYC after 9/11- Bush’s national security presidency

Strong limits
Pressure groups can prevent presidents taking action
Presidents cannot act freely and there are consequences for Imperial Presidents and Imperial Courts (eg under Reagan)
Eg NFA preventing Obama’s gun control laws after Newtown shooting despite majority support
Eg The War Powers Act, Congress maintain ability to declare war
Eg Watergate
and Iran-contra (using congressional funding incorrectly) hearings.
Eval?- frequently a consensual agreement between American and the diff powers that its necessary