The Executive - Executive Office 2

Question 1

Describe H. R. McMaster as National Security Advisor

Answer 1

More openly aggressive on foreign policy than others in the exec. Similar to Trump

Question 2

How has the role of the NSC changed

Answer 2

Much less relevant nowadays

Question 3

What does OMB stand for

Answer 3

Office of Management and Budget

Question 4

Define the OMB

Answer 4

The office within EXOP that reviews budget requests, legislative initiatives and proposed rules and regulations from exec. depts.

Question 5

What are the 3 main functions of the OMB

Answer 5

1. Advise president on allocation of federal funds in annual budget
2. Oversee spending of all federal depts. and agencies
3. To act as clearing house for all legislative initiatives coming from exec.

Question 6

The OMB director is just about the only EXOP that reviews budget requires ______ confirmation

Answer 6

Senate

Question 7

What is the role of the OMB director

Answer 7

To run the office and to give advice and speak on behalf of the President on budgetary matters

Question 8

Example of a good OMB director

Answer 8

• Leon Panetta for Bill Clinton
• Having previously served in Congress, Panetta was widely credited with getting Clinton’s first budget through Congress in 1990

Question 9

Example of a bad OMB director

Answer 9

• Richard Darman persuaded G. H. W. Bush to break his ‘no new taxes’ promise
• This cost him in 1992 election

Question 10

The OMB has a staff of some ______ people, almost all career civil servants

Answer 10

500

Question 11

Budget process takes roughly ___ years

Answer 11

2

Question 12

Budget Process

Answer 12

-

Question 13

OMB under Trump:

Answer 13

Headed by Mick Mulvaney
First budget passed in 2016
However budget talks failed in 2018 and caused govt. shutdown from 20-23rd Jan

Question 14

Example of rivalries within Cabinet

Answer 14

Kushner engaged in diplomacy with Saudi Arabia - Tillerson was not supportive of this

Question 15

3 main factors which can cause tension between officers and members of EXOP

Answer 15

Physical distance
Divided loyalties
Policy ‘czars’

Question 16

Example of physical distance as a factor which can cause tension

Answer 16

The office of the sec of state is 10 mins away from White House
Office of sec of defence is 20 mins away
Advantage to EXOP
Moynihon (under nixon) “Never underestimate the power of proximity”

Question 17

Example of divided loyalties as a factor which can cause tension

Answer 17

Bush relied on White House Staff rather than Cabinet due to divided loyalties

Question 18

Example of how policy czars can cause tension

Answer 18

Presidents such as Obama make White House members ‘czars’ over certain policies.
Cabinet members resented this said they were treated like ‘minions’ by Chief of Staff Emanuel

Question 19

Arguments that EXOP is significant

Answer 19

• Carry out important responsibilies (E.g OMB managing budget)
• Often have ore influence over the president (proximity)

Question 20

Arguments that EXOP is not significant

Answer 20

• Lack of experience in govt.

- Competing bureaucracies cause confusion and friction

Question 21

Example of member of EXOP with no experience

Answer 21

Kushner - senior advisor - never before in govt.

Question 22

EXOP is divided into 12 offices. The main office is the ________ ________ office which is subdivided into a further ____ offices

Answer 22

White House office

36 further offices

Question 23

What is EXOP

Answer 23

Umbrella term for top staff agencies in White House that help President carry out his responsibilities

Question 24

Reasons why EXOP was needed to help the President

Answer 24

1. Increased size of fed. govt.
2. Great Depression - states needed help from govt.
3. USA becoming major player in world politics

Question 25

The most important work takes place in the _______ wing of the White House

Answer 25

West wing

Question 26

What is the role of the White House Chief of Staff

Answer 26

Person in charge of running the White House