Executive Branch

Question 1

Qualifications of the Executive

Answer 1

4 year term, natural born citizen, age limit of 35, U.S. resident for at least 14 years

Question 2

Line of Succession

Answer 2

1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro Tempore of Senate
4. Secretary of the State
5. Secretary of the Treasury
6. Secretary of Defense
7. Attorney General

Question 3

Traditional Approaches to the Executive

Answer 3

Bloodline, Military Power, Legislative Selection

Question 4

Electoral College

Answer 4

System of procedural safeguards implemented by the Framers to elect the President. Purpose to avoid popular elections among the uneducated.

Question 5

General Executive Powers

Answer 5

Execute and enforce the laws.

Appoint and remove Executive Branch officials.

Question 6

Military and Foreign Policy Powers

Answer 6

To be commander in chief of the armed forces
To appoint ambassadors
To receive foreign ambassadors
To make treaties

Question 7

Powers Related to the Legislative Branch

Answer 7

To sign bills passed by Congress
To veto bills passed by Congress
To convene special sessions of Congress
To advise Congress on the State of the Nation

Question 8

Powers Related to the Judicial Branch

Answer 8

To appoint Federal Judges

To grant pardons to those convicted of federal crimes

Question 9

The Founders’ President

Answer 9

They wanted an “energetic” president-strong and efficient in executing the laws and fighting wars. Given kingly powers but with check and balances to prevent a dictatorship.

Question 10

General Grant of Power Theory

Answer 10

Powers are enumerated but implied.

“President has all powers not prohibited by the Constitution.” -Teddy Roosevelt

Question 11

Mere Designation of Office Theory

Answer 11

Letter of the law approach where only powers stated explicitly in Article II are granted. The President does not have a blank check to do as he wills; the Legislative Branch being the main check on his power.

Question 12

Impeachment

Answer 12

Removed and Barred from office. Two part process:

1) Impeach inquest in the House
- 2/3 vote necessary to move on
2) Trial of impeachment in the Senate
- with the Chief Justice at the head
- 2/3 vote to impeach

Question 13

Review of Legislation

Answer 13

Sign it - Becomes law
Ignore it - Becomes law without signature in 10 days
Veto - 2/3rds override
Pocket Veto -Congress adjourns during 10 day period
*Line-Item Veto was never a Constitutional power to president.

Question 14

Executive Privilege

Answer 14

Certain conversations, documents, and records so related to the delicate duties of the President they must remain confidential from the other two branches and the people. Holds more weight when regarding foreign policy and national security. Allows for open and candid conversations.

Question 15

Truman Standard

Answer 15

President will approve any papers being sent to Congress.

Question 16

Executive Immunity from Lawsuit

Answer 16

President has immunity if related to official duties. However, to check this privilege, he is subject to impeachment by Congress.

Question 17

Washington’s Precedence

Answer 17

Only served for 2 terms. Executive independence coupled with Constitutional self-control. Formed the Executive. Didn’t wait for Congress. Took control of appointments. Kept himself the sole leader of his cabinet. Departmental Theory and worked to interpret for his department.

Question 18

Kestler’s Statement

Answer 18

For the first time amongst the majority, alternative principles radiate more than traditional principles. We are straying from from traditional Constitutional Values. Evidence is that social issues won the past election.