US Presidency

Question 1

What does article 11 of the constitution lay out

Answer 1

The role and power of the president

Question 2

Why did the founding fathers put the president second to congress

Answer 2

to demonstrate the importance of congress

Question 3

Who makes up the executive branch

Answer 3

President, vice president, cabinet executive office of the president (EXOP) and federal bureaucracy

Question 4

What are the presidential powers in the constitution

Answer 4

1 calling special sessions of congress
2 signing or vetoing legislation
3appointing federal justices
4 receiving ambassadors
5making treaties
6 granting pardons
7giving the state of the union address
8 commander in chief of the armed forces
9 executing laws

Question 5

How is the role head of state different to role as head of government

Answer 5

Head of state - the president is representitive of USA to the world - A PUBLIC FIGURE
Role
1 granting pardons
2 attending global summits
3 being consoled in chief during times of national crisis
4 receiving and nominating ambassadors

Head of government the president commands the executive branch and domestic politics - A POLITICAL FIGURE
Role
1 signing vetoing and executing legislation
2 appointing his cabinet
3 delivering the state of union address to congress

Question 6

Outline the roe of commander in chief

Answer 6

1 Seen as both head of state and head of government
2 The role makes him a key global public figure and can act to defend the USA
3 he is dependent on money and approval from congress which makes it more about governing

Question 7

As well as constitutionally granted powers what informal powers can the president get from other sources

Answer 7

1 electoral mandate - a president who wins the election convincingly can often exercise more power than one who scrapes a win
2 executive orders -directives to a department on how to carry out a law
3 the vice president and cabinet - although they have no constitutional power the individuals in the cabinet can lend the president power if they have popularity
4 national events - in times of national crisis the president often gets a popularity bump - could be because of a tragedy, natural disaster or global event

Question 8

Why does the president have to rely on powers of persuasion to get things done

Answer 8

Because of the separation of powers and checks and balances
He has to bargain with those around him to get his way- president has more persuasive power when he is popular

Question 9

Describe an example of successful power of persuasion

Answer 9

Obama campaigned on healthcare reform throughout his 2008 campaign and in Nov 2008 was able to get the Patient Protection and Afordable Care Act passed in 2010. Some of his success was due to his appeals to republicans, healthcare summits at the white house and because the democrats controlled the house of representitives and the senate they wanted some of his popularity for themselves

Question 10

Describe an example of unsuccessful powers of persuasion

Answer 10

Trump campaigned to repeal Obamacare. Like Obama his party won control of senate and representitives yet repeal and replace (which would get rid of Obamacare) failed to pass into law. Partly due to lower electoral mandate - meaning trumps party had less reason to work with him so his powers of persuasion were lower
In addition Trump consistently achieved the lowest approval rating and had the lowest in history after 1 year so his party were less united behind him and his persuasion was less convincing

Question 11

What Is the executive office of the president

Answer 11

EXOP is made up of staff and bodies that immediately surround the president and which help him carry out his duties

Question 12

When and why was EXOP created

Answer 12

Following the Brownlow committees recommendation in 1937 that the president needs help

Question 13

Where are the components of EXOP and where are they based

Answer 13

Usually found in the west wing to the White House or the Eisenhower executive office building next door
Include
National security council
Office of management and budget
White House office

Question 14

Facts about national security council (NSC)

Answer 14

1 established in 1947
2 to coordinate military, foreign policy and security information and policy for the president
3 headed by the national security advisor
4 briefs the president daily
5 its importance fairies depending on the president and whether they want to rely on NSC defence or state defence

Question 15

Facts about office of management and budget (OMB)

Answer 15

1 established in 1970
2 advises the president on the budget and overseas federal department spending
3 headed by the senate confirmable OMB director
4 ensures that all presidential legislation initiatives are budget and fit into presidential policy

Question 16

Facts about the White House office (WHO)

Answer 16

1 most trusted presidential advisors who work in direct proximity to him in the White House
2 headed by the White House chief of staff and includes the press secretary
3 act as a link between president and cabinet members and their departments
4 control access to the president
5 act on behalf of the president giving interviews on his behalf briefing the press and organising him

Question 17

Why must the president work with congress and occasionally the supreme court

Answer 17

To achieve his policy agenda

Question 18

List factors that affect the presidential relationship with congress and Supreme Court

Answer 18

1 elections - congress has its own mandate from the people and has mor frequent elections so must look to its constituents and so must look to its constituents and the president
2 separation of powers - the president is totally dependent on congressional agreement for money, war, legislation and more
3 Appointments - a lucky president may get to shape the court with an appointment that reflects his own ideology
4 Judicial review- as the final interpret or of the constitution the Supreme Court can stop the president by ruling against him
5 In the media - some justices have had an increasing tendency to speak out about political events and causing tension
6 presidential action - executive orders and recess appointments can often cause tension as the president is seen to usurp congressional roes
7 divided government - the majority party in congress might be different to the presidents straining the relationship

Question 19

Explain the term lame duck president

Answer 19

Officially a president is a lame duck once his successor has been elected (in November) but remains in power until January. During this time the president has no mandate

Question 20

Explain the informal lame duck president

Answer 20

1 often referred to lame duck if the president is unable to get anything done
2 can be lame ducks after the 6 year mid terms when the US public start to look towards the next presidential race

Question 21

Give 3 factors that can have limiting effects on the presidential power

Answer 21

1 presidential popularity - a popular president is more likely to be sucessful in his policy proposals. If a congressional politicians constituents support the president then by supporting the president the politician is likely to also be more popular this is known as the COAT TAILS EFFECT
2 electoral cycle - with fixed term elections a president has to have one eye on the electoral calendar. Mid terms may result in a divided governement which will make passing his legislative agenda mor difficult. His own re election campaign for a second term is an important consideration for his actions throughout his first term.All of these elections can act as referendums on his performance up to the election.Once the invisible primary begins at the end of his second term his power drops as the public look to the next president

Question 22

What goals did Bill CLinton 1993-2001 achieve and which goals did he not achieve

Answer 22

Achieved
1 raising tax on the wealthiest
2 smaller federal government
3 economic growth
4 bringing down the deficit
5 responsibility fo the environment

Unachieved
1 affordable healthcare
2 expansion of civil rights

Question 23

WHICH GOALS DID PRSIDENT GEORGE W BUSH 2001-2009 achieve and which did he not achieve

Answer 23

Achieved
1 increasing defence spending
2 tax cuts
3 healthcare reform
4 education reform
5 war on terror post 9/11
Unachieved
1 social security reform

Question 24

Which goals did President Barack Obama (2009-2017) achieve and which did he not

Answer 24

Achieved
1 healthcare reform
2 stimulating the economy
3 ending the war in Iraq
4 reforming nuclear weapons

Unachieved
1 minimum wage
2 gun control
3 immigration reform

Question 25

Which goals did President Donald Trump (2017-2021) achieve and not achieve

Answer 25

Achieved
1 tax reform
2immigration reform
3 travel ban
4 renegotiate NAFTA
5 renegotiate Iran deal
6 applying tarrifs

Not achieved
Repeal and rebalance Obamacare
Build a wall

Question 26

Which powers does the president have that have limited if any checks on them
What can these powers be seen as

Answer 26

1 executive orders and agreements
2 signing statements
3 pardons
They can be seen a s imperial powers

Question 27

Describe a case study which demonstrates congresses limited ability to limit the power of the president

Answer 27

Role of commander in chief is supposed to be checked by congress’s power to declare war.
2 congress has not formally declared war since 1941 but US has been involved in many conflicts since then.
3 Obama negotiated the Iran deal with little reference to congress

Question 28

Describe a case study which demonstrates how a president can go from imperial to weak due to changing circumstances

Answer 28

1 congress did not declare war it still controls the purse strings
2 congress bought the Vietnam war to an end by withdrawing funding and tried the same in Iraq in 2007 when the war became unpopular with the public

Question 29

What are the presidential controls over foreign policy

Answer 29

1 his choice of cabinet secretaries
2the ability to negotiate treaties
3 executive agreements which do not need senate approval
4 the ability to receive ambassadors and so recognise countries
5 the NSC
6 the US armed forces as commander in chief

Question 30

What are the presidential congressional controls over foreign policy

Answer 30

1 the power of the purse crusial for any military action
2 the power to declare war
3 the right of the senate to approve cabinet members
4 the right of the senate to approve treaties

Question 31

Explain the war powers resolution

Answer 31

1 in 1973 recognising they were losing some of their power and control over foreign policy congress passed the war powers resolution
2 it requires the president to notify congress within 48 hours if he has agreed to commit the US military to any action
3 after this congress would either authorise the action - declare war or demand withdrawal giving the president 60 days to begin to withdraw troops
3 congress hoped it would re establish the power they lost to the president over Vietnam war
4 there are questions if the resolution is constitutional as it encroaches on presidents constitutional power of commander in chief

Question 32

How are the executive (roles and powers) of Uk PM and US president different

Answer 32

UK PM roles and powers
1 head of government
2 party mandate from being leader of the largest party in the commons but can serve any number of terms
3 PM acts as sovereign leader as a leader with a majority
4 collective executive with the cabinet
5 draws up the legislative agenda and writes the queens speech each year
6 has no need to veto legislation due to having the majority

US president roles and powers
1 head of state and head of government
2 personal mandate from a direct election but can only serve 2 terms
3 a sovereign with constitutional powers
4 singular executive but appoints a cabinet and exop to support him
5 commander in chief of the US armed forces according to the constitution
6 delivers the state of the union address which serves as legislative agenda but has no powers to force it through congress
7 has the veto according to the constitution

Question 33

What are the impacts of US and UK roles and powers on politics and government

Answer 33

1 in both US anUK the executive serves as a political figure head for the country driving the political agenda
2 ability to push through change is different. In US having separation of powers means president has limited legislative ability UK has fused power giving PM limitless legislative power
3 both can use persuasion polpularity and the media to pressure the legislature into agreeing to their legislative agenda

Question 34

What are the differences and similarities between US and UK accountability to the legislature

Answer 34

Similarities
1 executive power depends on their control of the majority size in the legislature
2 the role of legislature in both countries is to scrutinise policy proposals and in both countries the legislature has made changes to government proposals
3 both legislatures can remove the government but neither have used this power for centuries

Differences
1 constitutionally separate powers give congress a final say on many issues such as approval of cabinet ministers. Parliament is in theory the sovereign, the parliament is often serving the government
2 government in the uk can be removed with a vote of no confidence and has been so twice in the 20th century. Impeachment proceedings have only been brought 3 times against a president and none successfully
3 while the state of the union is a suggestion of what the president would like to achieve the separated powers means he has little muscle to force congress to act on it unlike uk government which writes the queens speech as the legislative agenda for the coming year

Question 35

Debate how effective is presidential accountability to congress

Answer 35

Effective
1 the short election cycle of congress and the coatails effect means that congress is highly responsive to presidential popularity. It is more willing to use its powers when the president is unpopular
2 in domestic policy congress has significant control over presidential power from passing legislation to deciding on funding that will be allocated
3 the constitution gives congress a range of checks to prevent presidential action or ultimately to remove the president if necessary
4in times of divided government congress has demonstrated its willingness and ability to use powers such as veto override , overriding presidential action
5 national crises can also dent popularity of the president depending on their response which directly affects congress willingness to apply checks to their power

Ineffective
1 the presidents enumerated powers give them far greater power as they are able to exercise powers alone while congressional powers often require supermajorities and bipartisanship which are difficult to achieve
2 in foreign policy congress has very few powers to hold the president accountable and those that it does have are significantly weaker than its domestic powers
3 the constitutional powers of congress are largely reactive, being able only to confirm or deny the presidents choices and in some cases being circumvented entirely \
4 in times of united government congress is less likely to use its power to limit the president allowing them considerable power
5 in times of national crisis requiring a swift response, congress often defers to the president who as a singular executive can act quickly. This often gives the president large grants of power

Question 36

Debate does the president have greater control over domestic or foreign affairs

Answer 36

Presidential strength domestic affairs
1 it is expected that the presidential bills should pass through congress given the presidents electoral mandate
2 he constitution requirement to address congress annually about the state of the union gives them a platform to suggest legislation
3 in a time of unified government the president is likely to face less scruitiny from congress
4 if the president holds a strong electoral mandate it can be difficult for congress to defy them

Presidential weakness domestic affairs
1 the president may not control congress making it more difficult to pass their legislative agenda
2 individual senators can hold up presidential desires through filibusters
3 a short election cycle for congress means members are often more responsive to their state or districts than national politics
4 appointments to key domestic roles such as cabinet or Supreme Court are subject to senate approval
5 hyperpartisanship can make compromise more difficult often resulting in gridlock
6in a federal system states can prevent the presidents donmestic agenda from being effectively enforced
7 the president is more likely to be challenged in the Supreme Court over domestic affairs

Presidential strengths foreign affairs
1 the president is head of state and can command the attention of the world leaders and the global media
2 the president can use executive agreement to avoid consulting the senate
3 international crisis demand swift and decisive action: congressional investigations and accountability often only come after the crisis has passed
4 as commander in chief presidents have taken military action without authorisation from congress
5 the president alone can receive ambassadors and recognise countries

Presidential weakness foreign affairs
1 the president is reliant on congress for funding
2 congress has tried to regain power in this area passing the war powers resolution
3if the president acts alone they will be held to account alone. A poorly executed foreign policy can lead to low poll ratings for the president
4 the senate can and has rejected treaties
5 congress can try to use its legislative powers to control foreign policy

Question 37

Debate who controls foreign policy

Answer 37

The presidency
1 presidents can use the White House as a stage to lend gravity to their actions
2 the presidential power of commander in chief is enumerated in the US constitution
3 as head of state the president represents the USA on an international stage and in international organisations
4 the defence department is part of the federal bureaucracy which is controlled by the president and the president appoints the defence secretary
other powers
1 the president can make treaties nominate appointees for the cabinets and diplomats

Congress
1 congress is able to vote to approve military action
2 leaders in congress can use their role and influence to pressure the president into consulting congress
3 he short election cycle in congress and the importance of which party controls congress means the president must be mindful of public opinion
4 congress has oversight powers. Congressional committees can hold hearings and investigations on proposed ongoing or previous military action
5 congress can control foreign policy through the power of the purse authorising money for action or not
6 institutionally only congress can declare war
7 congress approves treaties and ratifies appointments such as to cabinet and diplomats