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.