The President Flashcards
what are the qualifications for the President?
must be;
* A natural-born US citizen.
* At least 35 years old.
* A US resident for at least 14 years.
The roles of being the Head of State?
- performs diplomatic and ceremonial duties representing the nation
- opportunity to direct national and international policy
- can use national media to exert influence over public opinion and Congress
What are the roles of the Head of State?
- Commander-in-Cheirf of the armed forces (but can’t declare war)
- in charge of diplomatic relations with other countries
- the power to offer pardons to anyone who is convicted of a crime
These duties are carried out by most Heads of States, although not specified in the constitution
What is meant by an American Monarch
- Richard Newstatt - political scientist that has focused US Ppresidency
- said that the President is so constrained by the checks and balances that they only have the power to persuade
(limits on the presidents power, checks and balances, etc)
What does the President do as Head of Government?
- Art II, S 1 of the Constitution – ‘the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America’.
- is the ultimate decision maker min the dxecutive branch over department and agencies
- can use the office of the Executive
- appoints approximately 3000 federal posts
- Responsible for foreign policy and directing the military as commander in chief
- can call congress back into session during a break
What is the Presidential address of the State of the Union?
the president shall ‘from time to time give to Congress information on the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient’.
- As the State of the Union Address is delivered annually at the end of January, the president takes a leading role in shaping national policy for the year.
How important is the electoral mandate?
- The bigger the electoral victory, the more the president can claim authority and popular support for his agenda
What is the importance of the midterms to the presidents mandate?
- usually midterms create a hostile government and a divided congress, taking power away forms eh president
Presidential executive orders?
- implied powers
- immediate effect
- published in federal register, numbered
- Most are non-controversial. E.g. Obama’s creation of a
White House Council on Native American affairs. - Others more so. Obama’s order for the CIA to stop using methods of torture for interrogation.
How can National Events, Tragedies, and Disasters effect a President??
- can benefit or do the opposite for a President,
- can gain or loose support
- 9/11 allowed for Bush to grow in approval wining the 2004 election,
- _ Natural disaster in New Orleans, Bush didn’t visit, was criticised and lost support
What is the president’s Cabinet?
_ no official constitutional status
main roel is to advise the Present and make sure his agenda is carried out and to head up the presidents department
- meetings as and when the president decides
- 15 departments within the cabinet
Ronald Reagan held very few meetings.
Obama held frequent mt meetings.
How does the role of the Vice President in the Cabinet vary?
- Al Gore was a relatively low profile in his work as VP
- Dick Chaney, Joe Biden and Mike Pence were known to be more involved in the affairs of the President - key member of the team
what is one example of the Presidential power, Executive order?
Travel Ban
What is an example of the Presidential Power of Presidential Memoranda?
War Powers 15 act
What is an example of the Presidntial power of Presidential Proclamations
Weight Brothers Day