President Flashcards
Presidential requirements
natural-born citizen
35 years old
resided in the US for at least 14 years
most all: white, protestant, and male, but in other ways very different (jobs, economic backgrounds)
Elections
normal road to white house with caucus/primary and general elections from pervious chapters
Second Road to White House
VP:
take over when the President is unable to run the counrty
22nd Amendment
passed in 1951 limits the president to two terms in office
12th Amendment
required electors to vote separately for the President and Vice President
25th amendment
this amendment permits the vp to become acting president if the president’s cabinet determines he is unable; also outlines how the recuperated president can retain his job
the new president will nominate a vice president and congress aproves
Impeachment
the political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the constitution The House of Reps. can impeach the pres. for high crimes and misdemeanors; tried by the Senate, 2 have been accused (Johnson) but no president has ever been found guilty
Watergate
the scandal and events surrounding a break-in at the national Democratic committee headquarters and the coverup by the white house leading to the resignation of president Nixon.
Order of sucession
president vice president Speaker of the House president pro tempore of the Senate cabinet in chronological order by creation.
Constitutional Powers of the president
executive powers and share powers with other branches of gov.
put lots of checks on the president to avoid a tyrany
Derived from constitution: national security
Commander in chief
Make treaties with other nations (agreement of two-thirds of the Senate)
Nominate ambassadors (agreement of majority Senate)
Receive ambassadors of other nations (diplomatic recognition)
Derived from constitution: Legislative
- state of the union to Congress;
- Recommend legislation to Congress
- Convene both houses of Congress
- Adjourn Congress if the House and Senate cannot agree on adjournment
- Veto legislation (Congress may overrule with a two-thirds vote of each house).
Derived from constitution: administration
“Take care that the laws be faithfully executed”;
(2) Appoint officials (agreement of a majority of the Senate)
(3) Request written opinions of administrative officials
(4) Fill administrative vacancies during congressional recesses.
Derived from constitution: judicial
(1) Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
(2) Appoint federal judges (agreement of a majority of the Senate)
executive order
The Expansion of Power “Imperial Presidency”
regulations with force of law originating in the executive branch.
Executive Agreement
The Expansion of Power “Imperial Presidency”
treaties with the heads of foreign governments; unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate
ratification.
Executive privilege
The Expansion of Power “Imperial Presidency”
claim from the president that he can whithold info from the public, courts, or congress
how the president’s power has expanded
other presidents have expanded powers as well as technology (nuclear weapons)
Nixon v. United States
Executive privilege is not unqualified
Vice presidency
Usually chosen to symbolically reward an important constituency.
wait for “better” political opportunities
balance the ticket
more opportunities and roles given to the VP by the president
the cabinet
the group of presidential advisors who head the executive departments.
not in the Constitution, every president has had one.
state, treasury, and war and the attorney general, but increased Congress to create new executive departments.
Today, 13 secretaries and the attorney general head executive departments
individual presidents may designate other officials (such as the ambassador to the United Nations) as cabinet members.
Executive Office of the President
includes three major policymaking bodies—the
National Security Council, the Council of Economic Advisors, and the Office of Management and Budget
National Security Council (NSC)
links foreign and military policy advisors.
assistants for national security & provide info and policy recommendations
coordinate agency and departmental activities national security
and monitor national security policy.
includes the secretary of state and secretary of defense
Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)
three members appointed by the president
advise on economic policy
They prepare Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisors
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
successor to the Bureau of the Budget (BOB)
preps president’s budget.
review legislative proposals from cabinet and agencies & determine whether or not they want an agency to propose them to Congress.
White House Staff
includes the key aides the president sees daily the
chief of staff, congressional liaison people, press secretary, national security advisor, and others
help with information, policy options, and analysis (and logistical stuff)
Hierarchical organization
chief of staff at the top
wheel and spokes
many aids have equal power and are balanced against each other
first Lady
no official position, but are important symbols and often take on single issues or help advise and run the country
veto
President says no to legislation
Bills become law after ten days with no signature or veto
pocket veto
Type of veto a chief executive may use after legislature has adjourned where the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so
lin item veto
The power possessed by 42 state governments to veto only certain parts of a bill while allowing the rest of it to pass
also a power of the president
Clinton v. United States
Declared line item veto unconstitutional as the president was abusing power and stepping out of executive bounds
Party relationship
get support from their party bonds, but due to a lack of consensus on issues within the party and constituencies the pres. may have to work for support and mobilize voters and members
Chief Legislator
The president is a major shaper of the congressional agenda
presidential coattails
when voters cast ballots for congressional members of the presidents party because they support the president (uncommon)
party leaders in congress and the pres.
predisposed to support presidential policies & work closely with the White House, they are free to
oppose the president or lend only symbolic support.
president’s party often lacks a majority in one or both houses
public approval
support will help the president’s agenda and keep their party more responsive
mandates
perception that voters strongly support the president after an election gives pres. credibility and legitimacy
legislative skills
bargaining if coalition isn’t helpful
strategic moves like exploiting the honeymoon phase
key agenda builder
facilitator
election year vs. midterm elections
president’s party gains seats in the house, then looses
chief diplomat
extends diplomatic recognition to other governments, negotiates treaties and executive agreements
commander in chief
commands the army and nuclear arsenal
War Powers Resolution
requires president to consult with congress prior to using force and to withdraw forces after 60 dys if congress doesn’t approve
increases congressional role as technology has given the president more power
legislative veto
the ability of congress to override a presidential decision, War Powers Resolution (originally vetoed by Nixon) asserts this authority
could be considered in violation of the constitution if taken to court
crisis manager
presidents role has increased because of constant technology to monitor events and slowness of congress
crisis
a sudden unpredictable and potentially dangerous event
Congress and The president on national defense
congress can refuse to provide authorizations and appropriations and president can refuse to act on legislation (supply and command)
congress has more power in domestic policy and is oversight for national defense
who declares war
congress
going public
mobilize public with speeches and persuasion
both ceremonial and authoritative roles so in public eye a lot
presidential approval
often doesn’t have majority approval, but approval on occasion is helpful
tries to control image
bully pulpit
ability to speak out to the public and mobilize people on issues, but not all presidents are skilled communicators so public response is usually low.
press
often conflict with the president and monitor them
