Presidency

Question 1

What did the sign on Harry Truman’s desk say, and why is it important?

Answer 1

“The buck stops here” - it’s a good example of presidents having ultimate power.

Question 2

Why did the Founding Fathers want to limit the power of the president?

Answer 2

Because they feared tyranny, having just overthrown the British.

Question 3

Which article of the Constitution sets out the powers of the president?

Answer 3

A2

Question 4

According to the Constitution, what are the only explicit powers of the president?

Answer 4

Authorisation (not requirment) to form a cabinet; power of pardon; temporarily fill federal government vacancies when the Senate is not in session; act as commander-in-chief of army and navy.

Question 5

Which part of Article 2 gives the president leeway to use more power than that which the Constitution explicitly gives?

Answer 5

“The Executive Power shall be invested in a President of the United States of America.”

Question 6

What are the various types of presidential veto?

Answer 6

The veto (i.e. a “normal” one, which requires 2/3 majority in both Houses to overturn); pocket veto; leave it on their desk.

Question 7

How does a president make a binding contract with a foreign nation whilst bypassing congress?

Answer 7

Executive Agreement

Question 8

How long is the maximum presidents can serve for?

Answer 8

2 terms/8 years

Question 9

What was the name of Obama’s rejected Supreme Court nomination?

Answer 9

Merrick Garland

Question 10

How many presidential pardons did Obama issue?

Answer 10

212

Question 11

“Stroke of the pen, law of the land, kinda cool.” Who, on what?

Answer 11

Paul Begala, advisor to Bill Clinton, describing executive orders.

Question 12

What is an EO?

Answer 12

Executive Order - a presidential order that has the same force as legislation but which does not need to be approved by Congress.

Question 13

Give two race-related EOs signed by Obama,

Answer 13

DACA and DAPA

Question 14

How long do EOs remain in force?

Answer 14

Until they are repealed, which any president can do at any time; or unless the judiciary strikes them down.

Question 15

Give a Trump EO.

Answer 15

The Muslim travel ban.

Question 16

What’s the difference between an EO and an EA?

Answer 16

EOs (executive orders) relate to domestic policy, EAs to foreign.

Question 17

Give two examples of EAs.

Answer 17

Iran Nuclear Deal, Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Question 18

Why would a president use an EA rather than a treaty?

Answer 18

Because treaties have to be approved by the Senate and EAs do not.

Question 19

What proportion of US foreign policy agreements are concluded by EA?

Answer 19

80%.

Question 20

What’s a recess appointment?

Answer 20

A temporary appointment to a federal post, made when the Senate is in recess. The appointment must be confirmed by the Senate before the end of the following Senate session.

Question 21

What can the Senate hold, during recess, to ensure that no recess appointments are made?

Answer 21

“Pro forma” sessions: when as few one senator holds a Senate session, so that it is not in recess. Usually no business is conducted an no-one else is there, but the Senate is still “in session”.

Question 22

What is a signing statement?

Answer 22

Statements written by a president on a bill when it’s signed into law, indicating support or opposition.

Question 23

EOs, EAs, recess appointments and signing statements are all examples of what?

Answer 23

Informal presidential powers: they are not in the constitution but they allow considerable leeway.

Question 24

What does EXOP (or EOP) stand for?

Answer 24

Executive Office of the President

Question 25

“Never underestimate the power of proximity.” Who, on what?

Answer 25

Daniel Moynihan, adviser to President Clinton; he was referring to the fact that members of EXOP are in the West Wing with immediate access to the president, whereas members of the cabinet are not.

Question 26

The White House Office is run by which key member of the president’s staff?

Answer 26

The Chief of Staff

Question 27

Andrew Card was Chief of Staff to whom, what did he tell him, and why is it instructive?

Answer 27

GWB; that a second plane had hit the World Trade Center and that America is “under attack”; because it shows the importance of the CoS. He delivered the message, and so chose what to say; not the Secretary of State or the VP, who don’t routinely travel with the president.

Question 28

Obama made Susan Rice his National Security Advisor (another key EXOP role). What was contentious about her appointment and what did it show?

Answer 28

He had wanted her to be Secretary of State but knew she was unlikely to be approved by the Senate, so he appointed her as NSA, which does not require Senate approval, showing his ultimate ability to get who he wants into important positions.

Question 29

Give two cases that show how the judiciary can limit presidential power

Answer 29

San Francisco v Trump 2017: Trump’s EO defunding sanctuary cities was unconstitutional. NLRB v Noel Canning 2014: Obama had exceeded his authority by making recess appointments even when the Senate was holding pro-forma sessions.

Question 30

Who described presidential power as “the power to persuade”?

Answer 30

Neustadt.

Question 31

How many years of completely united government (House, Senate, Presidency) have there been since 1993?

Answer 31

10 (out of 28, including the current Congress which runs to 2021). 4 years of total Dem rule, 6 of total Rep.

Question 32

Which of these did Obama do to try to persuade people to vote for Obamacare?
Mentioned it at the State of the Union; hosted a White House meeting for 11 House Democrats; held individual Oval Office meetings with Senators; made Nancy Pelosi wear an “Obamacaring is Obamasharing” t-shirt.

Answer 32

All bar the last one (though I wish he had).

Question 33

The president nominates all federal judges, including to the Supreme Court. Who are the last three nominees to the SC?

Answer 33

Garland, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh.

Question 34

Which president said “I make foreign policy” and why is that significant?

Answer 34

Truman; shows the control the President has over FP.

Question 35

What two words, used by the man himself, sum up Trump’s foreign policy?

Answer 35

America First.

Question 36

“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Who, about what, showing what?

Answer 36

Trump, on pulling the US out of the Paris climate change agreement, showing his America First policy (and his control over FP).

Question 37

What phrase indicates that presidents often have more control over foreign than domestic policy?

Answer 37

Weak at home, strong abroad.

Question 38

What term is applied to a president after they have lost (or not stood in) the election in November but before they leave office in January?

Answer 38

Lame duck - though it is often extended to mean the last two years in office.

Question 39

An imperial president might make liberal use of what?

Answer 39

Among other things, his extra-constitutional powers: EOs, EAs, recess appointments, signing statements.

Question 40

Why might the presidency be said to be “imperilled”?

Answer 40

Because it can be limited by divided government, checks and balances, oversight, events and the political climate.