Presidency Test 12/7 Flashcards
Powers of the President
Persuades, commissions officers, can pardon all federal offenses, has nuclear codes, signs treaties, approves legislation, convenes & adjourns both houses, appoints ambassadors, judges, and officers
Requirements to be President
National born citizen, at least 35 years old, and has resided in the U.S for 14 years
Electoral College can…
minimize bribes, track voter fraud
Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian Democracy
1st president not born in MA or VA, frontier lawyer, “The Spoil System,” called the “Frontier President”
The Democratic Party
created by Jackson and Van Buren, 1st “Nationwide” party
The West Wing contains the…
Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, Congressional Liaison, and National Security Advisor
Chief of Staff
controls access to the President, hires/fires staff in the White House, “Hatchet Man”
The Cabinet
15 Cabinet Departments: State department, war department, Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, etc.
The Vice President
25th Amendment: increased VP importance, “President of the Senate”
Line of Succession (if President dies)
VP, Speaker of House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, 14 cabinet heads
Impeachment
“Treason, bribery, high crimes & misdemeanors”
1. formal accusation, indictment —> majority vote in House
Chief Diplomat
President —> diplomatic recognition of other nations, terminates relations, negotiates treaties with senate approval
Commander in Chief
President has to ask Congress to declare war and raise the army, but the President will often commit troops and vessels for “short-term engagements”
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
LBJ authorized to go to war without formal declaration, aided any southeast Asian country threatened by communism
War Powers Resolution
goal: prevent another Vietnam, limit President’s use of military
new rules:
1. President must consult with Congress first
2. President must withdraw forces after 60 days, unless Congress formally declares war or grants extension
Richard Neustadt
advisor to JFK & LBJ, wrote “Presidential Power”, founded Kennedy School of Government.
Idea: greatest power of the president is the “power to persuade”
What is Impeachment?
The process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing. A trial may be held and the official may be removed from office.
President v.s. Prime Minister
President = leader that is in charge of a republic
Prime Minister = leader that is in charge of a country with a parliamentary system of government that is either a constitutional monarchy or republic
The Brown Low Commission (1937)
allows President to appoint advisors without Congressional approval
Executive Privilege
right to withhold information from Congress
Veto
Block legislation
Veto Message
send bills back to Congress, may be overturned with 2/3 vote
Pocket Veto
refuse to sign within 10 days of Congress adjourning
