Executive Flashcards
What are some of the Presidential powers that are in the constitution?
- Commander-in-chief of the armed forces
- Making treaties
- Appointing federal justices
- Signing or vetoing legislation
Informal sources of power
- Electoral mandate
- National events
- Executive orders
Relationship between the executive and congress
- Elections
- Separation of powers
- Divided government
Relationship between the Executive and Supreme Court
- Appointments
- Judicial Review
- The Media
Limitations on the President’s power
1) Presidential popularity
2) The election cycle
3) National events
Informal sources of power, (Mandate?)
Electoral mandate (Obama won the 2008 election 52.9% while Trump won the election 46%-3 million fewer votes weaker mandate)
Informal sources of power, (events?)
National events, president often gain large popularity after natural disasters and tragedies (George W.Bush, day after 9/11)
Relationship between the executive and Congress, (elections?)
Elections (Congress has its own mandate from the people and has more frequent elections and must therefore look to its constituents as well as to the president) e.g. veto override of the 9/11 Victim’s Bill 2016 (allow families affected by the attacks to sue Saudi Arabia)
Relationship between executive and Congress (branches?)
The separation of powers (the president is dependent on the congressional agreement for money, war, legislation-Trump failed to pass repeal and replace of Obama care)
Relationship between executive and Congress (division?)
Divided government (the majority party in Congress may be different to the ones of the president straining the relationship) – Obama failing to get immigration reform through a divided Congress
Relationship between executive and Supreme Court, (appointments?)
Appointments (the fortunate president may get a chance to shape the court with an appointment that reflects their own ideology) –Samuel Alito more conservative, appointed by George W Bush
Relationship between executive and Supreme Court, (judicial review?)
Judicial review (as the final interpreter of the Constitution, the Supreme Court can thwart The president by ruling against him) - supreme Court struck down Obama’s DAPA executive order in Texas vs US
Relationship between the executive and Supreme Court, (polarisation?)
In the media (justices have had an increasing tendency to speak out about political events, often causing political tension) – Justice Alito spoke out against the ruling in Snyder vs Phelps 2011
Limitations on the presidents power (popularity?)
A president who experiences high popularity is more likely to be successful in his policy proposals than an unpopular president. If congressional politicians constituents support the president, then by supporting the president the politician is likely to also be more popular - coat tail effect.
Opposite is also true. 2014 campaign, Democrat Senator Mark Pryor highlighted the differences with Obama on gun control in order to appeal to his constituents
Limitations on the president power (election cycle?)
Election cycle – fixed term elections, one eye on the election calendar.Midterm might deliver divided government
Limitations on the presidents power (events?)
National events-reactions could have huge limiting effects on the president.
E.g. Sandy hook or natural disasters (Hurricane Maria) can not only knock the president popularity but it can derail the Legislative agenda
What does the head of state mean?
The president is the representative of the USA to the world
What roles does the head of state involve?
- Granting pardons
- Attending global summits (e.g. G7)
- Receiving and nominating ambassadors
As the head of state how is the president best understood as?
A public figure. Meeting other leaders around the world and speaking for the USA
What roles does the head of government involve?
- Signing, vetoing and executing legislation
- Appointing his Cabinet
- Delivering the State of Union address to Congress
As the head of government how is the president best understood as?
A political figure. At the annual State of the Union address, the president outlines his legislative agenda for the coming year
Informal sources of power, (Executive orders)?
These are directives to a department on how to carry out a law e.g. Trump using executive orders to restrict abortion, attack Obamacare
Informal sources of power, (VP and Cabinet?)
Despite lacking constitutional power, Cabinet can lend the president power if they have popularity e.g. VP Biden popularity and connections were of huge importance to Obama’s foreign policy
Explain an example of where there have been successful powers of persuasion?
- Obama campaigned on healthcare reform throughout 2008.
- Was able to get PPACA, (Obamacare) act passed in 2010
- Success was down to bipartisan appeals to Republicans. Democrats controlled both the House and Senate and wanted some of the popularity that Obama had gained for themselves
