Executive Notes Flashcards
what does federalist 51 deal with
arguing against two chief executives
how many votes are needed to win in the electoral college? why?
More than 50% bc its a winner takes all system, except for maine and nebraska.
what was unusual about the clinton, dole, perot election
clinton didnt win majority, he won plurality
what is the #1 informal power of the president
the power the people believe they have given their authority and presence
what is the #1 formal power of the president
veto
in what two ways does the president have checks on the supreme court?
he can appoint justices, and he can also check them by simply refusing them
which president suspended habeus corpus; what did this mean at the time?
Lincoln; it meant he suspended due process; if you were a southern spy you were locked up without trial
what are the formal powers of the president as stated in article two?
veto, appointments, treaties, commander in chief, pardons, convene both house and senate for emergency sessions state of the union address receive ambassadors
3 types of organizations of cabinet/advisors
circular, pyramid, ad hoc
circular
w/ equal importance; well for brainstorming and bantering on an issue
pyramid
people you preffer are on inside and lesser important people go towards outside
ad hoc
by committee; out of my cabinet I form committees that deal with issues
What is the OMB and what does it do
Office of Management and Budget;
it assembles the budget,
develops reorganization plans,
reviews legislature proposed by agencies
is the cabinet mentioned in the constitution
no
the three major audiences of presidential speeches
- other politicians and leaders in DC (rep= important)
- party activists (dogwhistling, speaking in code)
- the public (broad statements)
when are presidential approval ratings the highest
during honeymoon period
what two issues can make or break presidential approval ratings
war and economy
what is a veto message
a message attached to a veto saying why the president vetoed something
when does a pocket veto happen
when congress is adjourned
what is executive privilege
the president has the right not to give up confidential sources, can confide in advisors, and keep confidential communitcation
(unless it is a criminal matter in which case evidence must be given up)
what is impoundment of funds
when a president refuses to spend funds appropriate by congress
are line item vetos legal? what are they?
no, they are unconstitutional; you cannot cut specific things from the budget to your liking
who impeaches
the house impeaches
who determines whether president is guilty on not during impeachment?
senate
what are executive orders
they allow president to tweak things within existing laws; but he can’t make new stuff up
what is a sunset provision
bill lasts for 10 years, then congress has to vote again to keep it
what are executive agreements? how much senate approval do they need? how long can they last
they are agreements between heads of government in other countries that deal with setting treaties and need 2/3 senate approval.
exec agreements go on forever and are permanent, that’s why they are so hard to pass
what is a lame duck/ lame duck period
an elected official who is approaching the end of his/her tenure (2 term prez at the end of second term)
which is most insulate from public opinion? which is least insulated from public opinion?
most: courts (specially supreme)
least: the house
amicus curiae
friend of the court; an interested third party who can be asked about specific cases
