Presidency

Question 1

9 powers of the president

Answer 1

PANS PANVN

• Propose legislation
• Act as chief executive
• Nominate federal judges
• Sign legislation
• Pardon
• Act as commander in chief
• Negotiate treaties
• Veto legislation
• Nominate executive branch nominations

Question 2

EXOP

Answer 2

• Established 1939 with only 4 offices

- White house office, Office of management and budget OMB, National security council NSC

Question 3

OMB

Answer 3

three principles :

• Advise the president on allocation of federal funds in the annual budget
• Oversee spending of all federal departments
• Clearing house for all legislative initiatives coming from the president

Question 4

NSC

Answer 4

• Headed by national security advisor

Question 5

The problem of EXOP - Cabinet rivalries

Answer 5

• Cabinet members often work some geographical distance from the white house
• Some members of teh cabinet rarely get to see the president whereas EXOP see him daily
• Cabinet members may feel out of loop with president unlike EXOP
• EXOP members only work with president but cabinet members have divided loyalties

Question 6

What is the president trying to get congress to do

Answer 6

• Pass legislative proposals
• Confirm his executive and judicial nominations
• Ratify his treaties

Question 7

Why does a president need to persuade congress to support him

Answer 7

• Powers are checked by congress

- His party may control only one house

Question 8

Imperial presidency

Answer 8

Characterised by abuse of power, secrecy and illegality

Nixon accused of this

Question 9

Imperilled presidency

Answer 9

Characterised by congressional reassertiveness and presidential weakness

Ford accused of this

Question 10

The post-imperial presidency

Answer 10

Characterised by presidential reassertiveness but power that is often limited by a new era of hyper partisanship

Trump and Reagan accused of this

Question 11

The constitution gives the president certain powers in foreign policy e.g.

Answer 11

• Act as commander in chief for the army
• Negotiate treaties with foreign powers
• To make certain appointments e.g. Secretary of state

Question 12

Does the president control foreign policy : YES

Answer 12

• Commander in chief
• Power to negotiate foreign treaties
• Power to make appointments
• Can set the tone for foreign policy

Question 13

Does the president control foreign policy : NO

Answer 13

• Congress has power of purse
• Only congress can declare war
• Senate has ratification power of appointments
• Congress has the power of investigation

Question 14

Congress checks on presidential power

Answer 14

• Amend, delay, reject presidents legislative proposals
• Override president veto
• Refuse to ratify treaties (senate)
• Impeach president

Question 15

Supreme Court checks on presidential power

Answer 15

• Declare presidents actions as unconstitutional

Question 16

Pressure groups checks on presidential power

Answer 16

• Mobilise publics opinion

Question 17

Voters checks on presidential power

Answer 17

• Midterm elections, as well in re-election

Question 18

State government checks on presidential power

Answer 18

• President often reliant upon state government to enact policies

Question 19

FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS : ELECTORAL MANDATE

Answer 19

• Percentage of popular vote in last election

- Bush and Trump both lost the popular vote but gained the office

Question 20

FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS :

PUBLIC APPROVAL

Answer 20

• The higher the presidents public approval rating, the more political power
• Donald Trump 36% in first year, Reagan 62% first year

Question 21

FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS :

FIRST/SECOND TERM

Answer 21

• President is more likely to be successful in first 2 years that in last 2 years

Question 22

FACTORS AFFECTING PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESS : UNIFIED/DIVIDED GOVT

Answer 22

More likely to succeed if party controls both house, exceptions include TRUMP 2017