Important cards Flashcards
1
Q
Why are cabinet not important?
A
- Article II of Constitution explicitly states that “all executive power shall be vested in a President”
- There is no doctrine of collective responsibility
- The president is not “first amongst equals” - he is just “first”
- Cabinet officers are not his political rivals, they are not about to become president
- Problem of divided loyalty as well as a lack of proximity and access to the president
- President has the EXOP which is often relied upon.
2
Q
What factors limit presidential power?
A
- Public opinion - Clinton survived his scandals because of good public opinion. Nixon didn’t.
- Pressure groups
- The media
- The federal bureaucracy - 3 million civil servants
- Federalism
3
Q
Which factors enhance presidential power?
A
- Size of the mandate at the last election - 2012 Obama elected with 51% and 332-206 ECVs compared to Reagan’s 1984 win of 59% and 525-13 ECV’s (49/50 states).
- First term, rather than second. - Presidents often find it easier to govern in their first term. Second term presidents become ‘lame ducks’ since passage of 22nd amendment.
- Previous washington experience
- Oratorical skills - Obama, Reagan and Clinton
- Competent senior White House staff - Clinton chose poorly in his first term and suffered.
- Crises - If handled well e.g Bush after 9/11 and after Hurricane Katrina when he handled it badly.
4
Q
Obama vs Bush presidential support score
A
Obama highest ever at 97% in 2009.
Bush was just 38%.
5
Q
What extra-constitutional powers does the President have?
A
- Sign executive agreements with foreign powers - Like treaties but do not require ratification
- Set the tone of foreign policy through speeches
6
Q
Why has constitution been so rarely amended?
A
- Founding fathers made it deliberately difficult to amend
- Vagueness of constitution allowed the document to evolve without the need for constant formal amendment.
- Supreme court’s power of judicial review allows the court to amend the meaning of the Constitution
- Reverence of the constitution makes many politicians cautious of tampering with it
- 18th amendment repealed by 21st (alcohol) just 14 years later.
