Presidency Flashcards
1
Q
What are the powers of the President as Head of Government?
A
- (Formal power) the power to appoint a range of govt positions within the executive branch and federal bureaucracy. He can also appoint judges to the federal courts and the Supreme Court. He can also make recess appointments
- (informal) can issue executive orders to the federal bureaucracy
- formal power - he is able to grant reprieves and pardons
2
Q
What are the powers of the President as Chief Legislator?
A
- (formal power) the President is able to veto legislation, which can be done in a few ways. He can pocket veto, meaning that he doesn’t sign any legislation that is passed in the last 10 days of a congressional session, thereby letting it expire. Or he can outright veto congressional legislation. Or he can use the threat of the veto to negotiate for compromises.
- formal power - he is able to set out his legislative agenda to a joint session of congress in the annual State of the Union Address
- informal power - he can use signing statements to undermine the legislation passed by congress
3
Q
What are the powers of the President as Head of State?
A
- President can be seen as a unifying and apolitical figure representing the country
- leader of the country on an international scale
4
Q
What are the President’s FP powers as Commander-in-Chief?
A
- manages the military of the USA, meaning he can for example deploy troops
- theory of the ‘unitary executive’ means that during times of war and emergency, the powers of the President should be unconstrained by Congress/Constitution
5
Q
What are the FP powers as cheif diplomat?
A
- negotiating treaties, making executive agreements, and appointing foriegn ambassadors
6
Q
What are the powers of the President as Party Leader?
A
- informal power
- party leader gives direction to the legislative agenda
- President is very powerful when his party also controls congress, but weaker if he doesn’t
