Chapter 8 – The Presidency Reading Comprehension Quiz Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which of the following is NOT a necessary qualification to become president? A. Must be at least thirty-five years old B. Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States C. Must be a resident of the United States for at least fourteen years D. Must have served as a member of Congress or as a state governor E. All of the above are necessary. Answer: D 2. The only ones to vote for or against impeachment are A. those in the House of Representatives. B. those in the Senate. C. the members of the Supreme Court. D. the president and the cabinet. E. the members of the judiciary committee. Answer: A 3. Treaties negotiated and signed by the president A. automatically go into effect. B. must be approved by the Supreme Court. C. require a majority vote by the House of Representatives and the Senate. D. must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. E. must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the House of Representatives. Answer: D 4. Which of the following is NOT a power of the president? A. The power to appoint federal judges B. The power to negotiate and sign treaties C. The power to run the executive branch D. The power to declare war E. The power to report to Congress from time to time on the state of the union Answer: D 5. The War Powers Resolution A. was signed by President Reagan in 1983. B. establishes conditions for the commitment of armed forces by the president. C. was designed by Congress to remove itself about decisions regarding the use of military force. D. has been widely supported and followed by presidents. E. was passed over the veto of President Eisenhower in 1949. Answer: B 6. The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security, is known as A. presidential confidentiality. B. executive secrecy. C. executive privilege. D. presidential prerogative. E. executive order. Answer: C 7. A decision by the president NOT to spend money appropriated by Congress is called A. impoundment. B. executive order. C. presidential discretion. D. line item veto. E. executive agreement. Answer: A 8. Encouraging aides to work together toward a common position is known as the ____________ approach to managing the White House staff. A. collegial B. adversarial C. competitive D. hierarchical E. friendly Answer: A 9. The _________________ is a presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies. A. Office of Management and Budget B. Council of Economic Advisers C. White House staff D. Office of Administration E. cabinet Answer: A 10. Which of the following is NOT part of the executive office of the president? A. Office of Management and Budget B. Council of Economic Advisers C. Office of the United States Trade Representative D. Office of Administration E. Cabinet Answer: E 11. The Supreme Court decision in Curtiss v. Wright (1936) upheld strong presidential authority over A. foreign policy. B. domestic policy. C. the budget. D. appointments. E. None of the above Answer: A 12. The fundamental power of the president that can be used to accomplish his goals is A. artful deception. B. persuasion. C. outright deceit. D. partisanship. E. None of the above Answer: B 13. Which of the following is a source of disagreement between the president and Congress? A. Competing calendars B. Identical constituencies C. Joint election campaigns D. Differing nationalities E. Shared party affiliation Answer: A 14. A rise in public approval of the president that follows a crisis is called A. a popularity bump. B. an approval spike. C. a rally point. D. an anomaly. E. a mandate. Answer: C 15. When is a president’s place in history ultimately created? A. During his or her last two months in office B. Immediately after he or she leaves office C. Two years after he or she leaves office D. Decades after he or she leaves office E. None of the above Answer: D True/False Questions 1. A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate is known as an executive agreement. Answer: False 2. A formal accusation against the president or another public official is called impeachment. Answer: True 3. The executive power of the presidency includes the power to declare war. Answer: False 4. Executive privilege refers to formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy. Answer: False 5. The line item veto has been ruled to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Answer: True 6. John F. Kennedy’s approach to running the White House staff was collegial. Answer: True 7. The cabinet receives prominent mention in the Constitution. Answer: False 8. A rally point is a rise in public approval of the president that follows a crisis. Answer: True 9. Congress and the president have a contentious relationship. Answer: True 10. A president’s place in history is usually clear by the end of his administration. Answer: False Chapter Examination Multiple Choice Questions 1. The first decision made by the framers at the Constitutional Convention regarding the presidency was A. the method for electing the president. B. the line of presidential succession following the vice president. C. the date of presidential inaugurations. D. the number of terms presidents could serve. E. to have a single executive. Answer: E 2. The only real constitutional duty of the vice president is A. to act as speaker of the House of Representatives. B. to deliver the annual State of the Union Address. C. to serve as president of the Senate. D. to act as commander in chief. E. to break tie votes in the Senate. Answer: E 3. The chief executive in the United Kingdom lacks independence because the prime minister A. is chosen in a direct election by the people. B. is not recognized as the leader by foreign countries. C. is unknown by most citizens. D. is appointed by the judiciary. E. is chosen by members of the majority party in Parliament. Answer: E 4. A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president is called a(n) ______________________ system. A. presidential B. legislative C. parliamentary D. authoritarian E. socialist Answer: C 5. Which of the following is a formal qualification to serve as president? A. At least 45 years of age B. Live in the same state for at least 10 years prior to election C. Member of a major political party D. Natural-born citizen E. Reside in the United States at least 25 years prior to election Answer: D 6. The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot is called a(n) A. presidential ticket. B. tag team. C. running mates listing. D. automatic assumption ballot. E. provisional ballot. Answer: A 7. In 2008 Barack Obama and Joe Biden were listed together on the ballot as candidates for president and vice president respectively. This is an example of a(n) A. running mates listing. B. tag team. C. Democratic manipulation. D. presidential ticket. E. election fraud. Answer: D 8. The _____________ Amendment, ratified in 1804, allowed electors to cast separate votes for the president and vice president. A. Third B. Sixth C. Twelfth D. Nineteenth E. Twenty-third Answer: C 9. The presidency is established in Article _______ of the Constitution. A. I B. IV C. V D. III E. II Answer: E 10. The president’s constitutional authority to control most executive functions is based in the A. theory of executive supremacy. B. vesting clause of the Constitution. C. decision of the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison. D. executive privilege. E. Articles of Confederation. Answer: B 11. A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate is known as a(n) A. executive agreement. B. executive prerogative. C. trade alliance. D. international organization. E. treaty. Answer: E 12. A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does NOT require Senate approval is called a(n) A. treaty. B. executive privilege. C. executive agreement. D. recess appointment. E. abuse of power. Answer: C 13. A(n) ____________________ is a formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that requires approval by both houses of Congress. A. recess appointment B. executive agreement C. treaty D. executive privilege E. congressional-executive agreement Answer: E 14. The president’s authority over the day-to-day operation of the federal government points to his role as A. administrator in chief. B. chief diplomat. C. commander in chief. D. chief legislator. E. chief party leader. Answer: A 15. Which of the following is NOT a constitutional power of the president? A. The power to appoint federal judges B. The power to declare war C. The power to veto legislation D. The power to inform and convene Congress E. The power to pardon individuals convicted of federal crimes Answer: B 16. A presidential appointment made without Senate confirmation when the Senate is on a formal break is known as a(n) A. end-around appointment. B. executive appointment. C. subversive appointment. D. recess appointment. E. illegal appointment. Answer: D 17. The constitutional requirement that presidents faithfully execute laws comes from the ___________ clause. A. elastic B. vesting C. enforcement D. take care E. administrative Answer: D 18. Powers that grow out of the very existence of government are known as A. explicit powers. B. inherent powers. C. legislative powers. D. enumerated powers. E. unknown powers. Answer: B 19. Under the Twenty-fifth Amendment, presidents can be removed temporarily from office if A. the vice president and a majority of either Congress or the president’s own cabinet secretaries declare him unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office. B. a majority of members on the Supreme Court deem him incapable of serving. C. the White House physician signs a letter saying the president is unable to perform his or her duties. D. a two-thirds majority of state governors sign a petition requesting a recall election. E. a majority of the public votes in favor of removal in a national referendum. Answer: A 20. A formal accusation against the president or another public official is called A. perjury. B. obstruction of justice. C. impeachment. D. pardon. E. removal. Answer: C 21. The sole power to try an impeachment case is given to the A. House of Representatives. B. Senate. C. Supreme Court. D. justices of the various federal district courts. E. grand jury. Answer: B 22. Conviction of a president on impeachment charges takes a(n) _________ vote in the Senate. A. majority B. plurality C. unanimous D. five-sixths E. two-thirds Answer: E 23. In the history of the United States, the House of Representatives has impeached _____________ presidents. A. eight B. five C. two D. zero E. twenty Answer: C 24. When the president makes a formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress, it is known as a A. pocket veto. B. veto. C. blocked bill. D. filibuster. E. signing statement. Answer: B 25. The ________ has (have) been used to acquire Louisiana and during the Civil War to impose a blockade of Confederate shipping. A. enlisted powers B. take care clause C. supremacy clause D. inherent powers E. full faith and credit clause Answer: D 26. The president serves a ____________ year term of office. A. six B. four C. five D. two E. eight Answer: B 27. Which of the following is a central role of the president? A. Diplomat in chief B. Legislator in chief C. Party leader D. Chief motivator E. Chief election officer Answer: A 28. In the history of the United States, _____________ presidents have been removed from office by Congress. A. two B. six C. three D. zero E. five Answer: D 29. The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation is called the A. Budget Address. B. Annual Update Speech. C. Sense of the Country Message. D. State of the Union Address. E. Annual Address. Answer: D 30. Which amendment to the Constitution created a two-term limit for the president? A. Twenty-ninth B. Eighth C. Twenty-second D. Nineteenth E. First Answer: C 31. Which of the following functions is NOT given to the president in the Constitution? A. The ability to veto legislation B. Delivery of the State of the Union address C. The ability to exercise line-item veto power D. The ability to recommend measures for consideration E. The ability to nominate judges Answer: C 32. Who argued the following in The Federalist, No. 70: “A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution: And a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be in practice a bad government”? A. Thomas Jefferson B. Alexander Hamilton C. George Washington D. Henry Clay E. Benjamin Franklin Answer: B 33. Which of the following is NOT a central role for the president in government as established by Article II? A. Commander in chief B. Diplomat in chief C. Administrator in chief D. Manager in chief E. All of the above are roles. Answer: D 34. If the president does NOT sign a bill within ten days of receiving it and Congress is still in session, the bill A. returns to Congress for another vote by both chambers. B. becomes law. C. must be reintroduced. D. dies through a pocket veto. E. goes to the Supreme Court for action. Answer: B 35. Obama’s decision to authorize 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan illustrated the A. power of the president in foreign policy. B. full extent of President Obama’s popularity at the time. C. deference shown to the president by the Supreme Court over domestic policy. D. stunning victories of Republicans in the congressional elections of 2006. E. All of the above Answer: A 36. The framers compromised between direct election of the president by the people and selection of the president by Congress when they created A. a bicameral legislature. B. Article I of the Constitution. C. the electoral college. D. opportunities for members of Congress to run for president. E. Article III of the Constitution. Answer: C 37. The Constitution makes it clear that the president A. is the nation’s chief diplomat. B. has the “power of the purse.” C. alone sets the domestic legislative agenda. D. can remove judges at will. E. can declare war. Answer: A 38. In 2003, the Bush administration negotiated with Mexico to create a “smart border” that would limit the movement of illegal aliens into the United States, while improving the flow of goods between the two nations. This arrangement, which never went to Congress for formal approval, is an example of A. an executive agreement. B. a pocket veto. C. a recess appointment. D. a treaty. E. executive privilege. Answer: A 39. Which of the following is true regarding the line item veto? A. It has never been used in the United States. B. It is strongly opposed by all presidents. C. The Supreme Court has decided it is unconstitutional. D. It was added to the Constitution as the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 1989. E. It is currently being used to reduce federal spending. Answer: C 40. George Washington’s precedent of serving just two terms as president held until ____________ was elected as president in four consecutive elections. A. Theodore Roosevelt B. Abraham Lincoln C. Dwight Eisenhower D. Franklin D. Roosevelt E. Ronald Reagan Answer: D 41. U.S. presidents have ordered troops into battle in which of the following countries without asking Congress for a formal declaration of war? A. Vietnam B. Iraq C. Panama D. Afghanistan E. All of the above Answer: E 42. Which of the following was created in an effort to control the tendency of Congress to overspend? A. Pocket veto B. Executive agreement C. Executive privilege D. Line item veto E. Executive order Answer: D 43. Which of the following is NOT a precedent established by President Washington? A. Appointing department secretaries B. Assembing the first White House staff C. Passing a constitutional amendment to restrict the president to two terms D. Negotiating treaties E. None of the above Answer: C 44. Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy are known as executive A. privilege. B. agreements. C. directives. D. mandates. E. orders. Answer: E 45. ________________ was the first president to employ the power of communicating directly to the people with his “fireside chats.” A. Abraham Lincoln B. Franklin D. Roosevelt C. Theodore Roosevelt D. Ronald Reagan E. Bill Clinton Answer: B 46. Which of the following is true regarding impoundment? A. President Nixon argued that impoundment should never be used by presidents. B. The Supreme Court found it to be unconstitutional in Carter v. U.S. C. It is now illegal. D. It is forbidden by executive order #173 signed by President Reagan. E. None of the above is true. Answer: C 47. About how many presidents have enlarged the powers of the presidency? A. All of them B. About one-third C. Half of them D. Only three E. None: the powers are still the same as they were during Washington’s administration Answer: B 48. Modern presidents have used ________________ to enhance their own power. A. Supreme Court rulings B. direct appeals to Congress C. the constitutional amendment process D. direct appeals to the public E. All of the above Answer: D 49. The ____________ approach to managing the White House staff involves the president establishing tight control over who does what in making decisions. A. groupthink B. adversarial C. collegial D. competitive E. hierarchical Answer: E 50. When was the Executive Office of the President created? A. 1776 B. 1860 C. 1902 D. 1939 E. 1956 Answer: D 51. Which of the following departments’ directors would be considered the MOST central to the president’s agencies? A. Agriculture B. Transportation C. Education D. Interior E. Management and Budget Answer: E 52. A president’s closest advisors, including the first lady, are often referred to as the A. cabinet. B. staffers. C. inner circle. D. sounding board. E. confidants. Answer: C 53. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson both allowed White House staff to fight each other for access to the Oval Office. These are examples of the ____________ approach to managing the White House staff. A. adversarial B. groupthink C. competitive D. hierarchical E. collegial Answer: C 54. The head of the White House staff is the A. first lady. B. secretary of the interior. C. director of the OMB. D. chief of staff. E. policy overseer. Answer: D 55. The cabinet consists of the heads of the ____________________ executive departments. A. thirty B. ten C. five D. twenty E. fifteen Answer: E 56. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) was created in order to A. act as a watchdog over presidential powers. B. provide the liaison relationship needed between the president and Congress. C. give the president more help running the federal departments and agencies. D. oversee the communications between the media and the president. E. None of the above Answer: C 57. The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities is known as the A. cabinet. B. White House staff. C. Executive Office of the President. D. bureaucracy. E. “fourth branch of government.” Answer: C 58. The advisory council for the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president, is called the A. White House Office. B. Office of Management and Budget. C. inner circle. D. cabinet. E. outer beltway. Answer: D 59. The important central presidential staff agency that advises the president about hundreds of government agencies is the A. Office of Oversight and Investigation. B. CIA. C. Office of Management and Budget. D. GAO. E. CBO. Answer: C 60. Table 8–1 shows that people think the president has the most influence over A. inflation. B. housing prices. C. health care costs. D. gas prices. E. the way other countries view the U.S. Answer: E 61. The Supreme Court affirmed strong presidential authority in dealing with other nations in the case of ___________ by pointing to the “exclusive power of the president as the sole organ of the federal government in the field of international relations—a power which does not require as a basis for its exercise an act of Congress, but which, of course, like every other governmental power, must be exercised in subordination to the applicable provisions of the Constitution.” A. Marbury v. Madison B. Bush v. Gore C. United States v. Curtiss-Wright D. Brown v. Board of Education E. Templeton v. General Electric Answer: C 62. The framers of the Constitution did NOT anticipate the president’s A. symbolic functions. B. abuses of power. C. magisterial functions. D. legislative role. E. diplomatic role. Answer: A 63. Who argued that given the lack of significant constitutional authority, the real power of the president in the legislature was the power to persuade? A. Richard Nixon B. Woodrow Wilson C. Richard Neustadt D. Nancy Pelosi E. William Rehnquist Answer: C 64. Table 8–1 shows that people think the president has the least influence over A. the way other countries view the United States. B. housing prices. C. taxes. D. health care costs. E. the federal budget deficit. Answer: B 65. In _________________, the Supreme Court upheld strong presidential authority in the area of foreign policy. A. Kennedy v. State of Virginia B. United States v. New York Times C. United States v. Curtiss-Wright D. Roosevelt v. Smith E. Brown v. Board of Education Answer: C 66. Congress and the White House are most likely to agree A. when they are controlled by different parties. B. when the president is a lame duck. C. during the president’s second term. D. in the first year of a president’s first term. E. when the president is unpopular. Answer: D 67. A(n) ____________ is a president’s claim of broad public support. A. affirmation B. mandate C. directive D. approval E. understanding Answer: B 68. Because the electoral college typically inflates a winning candidate’s percentage of support, it may make it easier for a president to claim a(n) A. mandate. B. influence. C. defeat. D. affirmation. E. executive order. Answer: A 69. Figure 8–3 shows that approval ratings of presidents A. tend to be extremely stable over their time in office. B. typically rise over the course of a president’s time in office. C. are usually at their highest point when a president leaves office. D. tend to decrease over a president’s administration. E. None of the above Answer: D 70. President George W. Bush’s approval rating going up 29 percent after the September 11 attacks is an example of a A. rally point. B. volley. C. horse race. D. presidential bump. E. None of the above Answer: A 71. The percentage of times a president wins on key votes in Congress is known as A. the victory quotient. B. the success proportion. C. presidential power. D. the support score. E. the popularity proportion. Answer: D 72. Which of the following is an external resource that contributes to presidential influence over the legislative process? A. The mandate provided by the most recent presidential election B. The level of public approval of the president C. The size of the president’s campaign war chest D. All of the above, except b E. All of the above, except c Answer: E 73. Which one of the following presidents is apt to appear on a list of “greats?” A. Buchanan B. Grant C. Wilson D. Harding E. Hoover Answer: C True/False Questions 1. The founders wanted the president to be able to act with “dispatch.” Answer: True 2. The president has the authority to declare war on other countries. Answer: False 3. In a parliamentary system, the legislature selects the prime minister or president. Answer: True 4. In order to be president, an individual must be at least 45 years old. Answer: False 5. The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot is called a presidential ticket. Answer: True 6. Prior to the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804, electors could NOT cast ballots for presidential and vice presidential candidates of the same political party. Answer: False 7. The president’s constitutional authority to control most executive functions comes from the vesting clause. Answer: True 8. Although Congress has the formal authority to declare war, presidents have repeatedly used their power as commander in chief to order U.S. troops into battle without formal declarations in recent decades. Answer: True 9. An executive agreement is a formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does NOT require Senate approval. Answer: True 10. A presidential appointment made without Senate confirmation when the Senate is on a formal break is known as a stealth appointment. Answer: False 11. Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress. Answer: True 12. The president has the authority to pardon individuals convicted of federal crimes. Answer: True 13. The constitutional requirement that presidents faithfully execute laws comes from the vesting clause. Answer: False 14. The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation is called the Budget Address. Answer: False 15. Removal of the president from office begins with impeachment in the House of Representatives. Answer: True 16. In the history of the United States, four presidents have been removed from office by Congress. Answer: False 17. The chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over impeachment trials in the U.S. Senate. Answer: True 18. The Twenty-second Amendment limits the president to two terms in office. Answer: True 19. Presidents use their annual State of the Union address to Congress to try to shape the legislative agenda for the coming year. Answer: True 20. The United States is one of the few world powers that is neither a parliamentary democracy nor a wholly executive-dominated government. Answer: True 21. It was the framers’ intent that presidents restrict their legislative activities to the faithful execution of the laws passed by Congress. Answer: False 22. Executive agreements are negotiated by the president but require Senate confirmation to take effect. Answer: False 23. The president’s power to deploy American armed forces without a formal declaration of war has been demonstrated many times in recent years. Answer: True 24. Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war while Article II gives the president the power to wage war as commander in chief. Answer: True 25. The War Powers Resolution was signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1949. Answer: False 26. The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security, is known as executive privilege. Answer: True 27. The president’s ability to use a line item veto is written in the Constitution. Answer: False 28. In his capacity as commander in chief, the president has the power to declare war. Answer: False 29. Over the course of American history, the power of the president has grown. Answer: True 30. The secretary of the interior is the head of the White House staff. Answer: False 31. The Office of Management and Budget is a presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies. Answer: True 32. The chief of staff is the head of the White House staff. Answer: True 33. The presidential cabinet is specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Answer: False 34. Lyndon Johnson’s approach to running the White House staff was competitive. Answer: True 35. George W. Bush’s approach to running the White House staff was hierarchical. Answer: True 36. U.S. citizens aren’t concerned with the president being a national morale builder. Answer: False 37. Presidents who enter office with a large electoral margin, high public approval, and a party majority in Congress often claim a mandate to govern. Answer: True 38. The framers intended the president and the Congress to work smoothly and efficiently together in legislative matters. Answer: False 39. The framers guaranteed that members of Congress and the president would have different constituencies, which makes conflict between the two branches likely. Answer: True 40. Franklin D. Roosevelt is usually ranked as one of the greatest presidents. Answer: True 41. A president’s inability to deal with economic problems is a sure path to presidential failure. Answer: True 42. Many observers believe that a president can only be great if he or she faces great challenges during his or her presidency. Answer: True Short Answer Questions 1. Define vesting clause and identify its significance for presidential authority. Answer: The vesting clause in Article II of the Constitution grants the president executive authority, centralizing power and establishing the president as the head of the executive branch. 2. Explain what is meant by the president’s role as commander in chief. Answer” As commander in chief, the president oversees the armed forces, directing military operations and national defense. 3. How does the president act as diplomat in chief? Answer: As diplomat in chief, the president manages foreign relations, negotiates treaties, and represents the U.S. in international affairs. 4. Define pocket veto and veto and explain the significance of this power for the president. Answer: A pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill into law within 10 days while Congress is adjourned, effectively killing it. A veto is a direct rejection of a bill, both giving the president significant legislative influence. 5. Identify the steps in removing a president from office. Answer: Steps in removing a president: 1) Impeachment by the House, 2) Conviction and removal by the Senate. 6. Identify the three central roles of the president established by Article II of the Constitution. Answer: The three central roles of the president established by Article II: chief executive, commander in chief, and chief diplomat. 7. What is the War Powers Resolution, and how has it affected the authority of Congress and the president with regard to wars and the use of military force? Answer: The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limits military engagement to 60 days without Congressional authorization, aiming to balance war powers between Congress and the president. 8. Identify the constitutional authority of Congress and the president with regard to wars. Answer: Congress has the power to declare war and fund military operations, while the president acts as commander in chief of the armed forces and can deploy troops but not declare war. 9. Define executive privilege and identify the Supreme Court’s stance regarding its constitutionality. Answer: Executive privilege is the president's right to withhold information from Congress or the courts; the Supreme Court upheld its existence but ruled it is not absolute in United States v. Nixon. 10. Explain what a signing statement is and its use in the national government. Answer: A signing statement is a written declaration issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often outlining their interpretation or objections to certain provisions. 11. Identify three different approaches used by presidents to manage the White House staff. Answer: Presidents manage White House staff using the hierarchical model, circular model, or ad hoc model, each varying in structure and communication flow. 12. What is the Executive Office of the President and why was it created? Answer: The Executive Office of the President (EOP) supports the president with administrative, policy, and advisory functions, created to provide specialized assistance and streamline executive operations. 13. Identify the three components of the president’s job. Answer: The three components of the president’s job are chief executive, commander in chief, and chief diplomat. 14. Explain how the nature of their calendars provides a source of conflict between Congress and the president. Answer: The president’s national focus and Congress’s local priorities often conflict due to differing schedules and legislative priorities, leading to tensions. 15. Identify the main sources of presidential influence in Congress. Answer: Main sources of presidential influence in Congress include party leadership, personal persuasion, and public opinion. 16. Explain how the nature of their constituencies provides a source of conflict between Congress and the president. Answer: Congress members represent specific local interests, while the president addresses national concerns, leading to conflicts over priorities and policies. 17. What typically happens to presidential approval ratings over a president’s term in office and why? Answer: Presidential approval ratings typically decline over time due to increasing challenges, unmet promises, and political controversies. Essay Questions 1. Evaluate the initial decisions made by the framers regarding the constitutional foundations of the presidency. Answer: Evaluation of Initial Decisions Regarding the Presidency: The framers of the Constitution established the presidency with a blend of power and restraint to balance effective leadership with checks on authority. They created a strong executive branch to ensure a unified and energetic leader, crucial for enforcing laws and conducting foreign policy. The vesting clause in Article II granted the president broad executive powers, but the framers were cautious, incorporating checks like Senate confirmation of appointments and Congressional oversight to prevent abuse. Additionally, the Electoral College system was devised to balance state and federal interests in electing the president, reflecting concerns about both direct democracy and state sovereignty. These decisions aimed to create a robust yet restrained presidency capable of leading effectively while remaining accountable to both the people and other branches of government. 2. What are three primary roles of the president established by Article II of the Constitution, and which do you feel is most important? Three Primary Roles of the President Established by Article II: 1. Chief Executive: Responsible for enforcing federal laws and overseeing the executive branch. 2. Commander in Chief: Manages the armed forces and directs military operations. 3. Chief Diplomat: Handles foreign relations, negotiates treaties, and represents the U.S. internationally. Among these, the Chief Executive role is arguably the most crucial because it encompasses the implementation of laws and policies that directly impact the daily lives of citizens, ensuring that the government functions effectively and maintains stability. 3. Through the Constitution the president is given powers that afford him influence in the legislative branch and the legislative process. What are the constitutional provisions that do this and how important are they? Answer: Constitutional Provisions Affording Presidential Influence in the Legislative Process: The U.S. Constitution grants the president several powers that afford significant influence over the legislative branch and the legislative process: 1. Veto Power (Article I, Section 7): The president can reject bills passed by Congress, compelling legislators to reconsider or amend the legislation. This power acts as a critical check on Congressional decisions and allows the president to shape legislative priorities and outcomes. 2. State of the Union Address (Article II, Section 3): The president is required to periodically inform Congress about the state of the union and recommend measures. This address provides an opportunity for the president to set the legislative agenda and influence public and Congressional focus on specific issues. 3. Executive Orders: While not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, executive orders enable the president to direct the executive branch's operation and implementation of laws, indirectly affecting legislative priorities and interpretations. These provisions are vital as they allow the president to actively shape and direct legislative priorities, ensuring that the executive branch’s needs and perspectives are considered in the lawmaking process. 4. Evaluate the process for removing a president from office. Answer: Evaluation of the Process for Removing a President from Office: The process for removing a president involves impeachment and conviction, as outlined in the Constitution: 1. Impeachment (Article I, Sections 2 and 3): The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach a president by a majority vote for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Impeachment is essentially an indictment and sets the stage for a trial. 2. Trial and Conviction (Article I, Section 3; Article II, Section 4): The Senate conducts the trial, with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding. Conviction requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate. If convicted, the president is removed from office and may be barred from holding future office. This process reflects a balance of power, ensuring that removal is a serious, deliberative action involving both the legislative and judicial branches. It serves as a crucial check on presidential misconduct but also underscores the need for a significant consensus to ensure stability and avoid political overreach. 5. Evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of prime ministers (in parliamentary systems) and presidents. Which form do you prefer and why? Answer: Strengths and Weaknesses of Prime Ministers vs. Presidents: In parliamentary systems, prime ministers are typically the head of government, chosen from the majority party in the legislature. This system offers several strengths: 1. Strengths of Prime Ministers: • Direct Accountability: Prime ministers must maintain the confidence of the legislature to stay in office, ensuring they remain closely aligned with the legislative majority and its policies. • Efficiency: The fusion of executive and legislative branches often allows for more streamlined decision-making and quicker implementation of policies. Weaknesses of Prime Ministers: • Instability: Frequent votes of no confidence can lead to unstable governments and rapid changes in leadership. • Limited Separation of Powers: The lack of clear separation between the executive and legislative branches can lead to abuses of power and reduced checks and balances. 6. Evaluate the constitutional basis for executive privilege. Answer: Constitutional Basis for Executive Privilege: Executive privilege is grounded in the principle of separation of powers, which ensures that the executive branch operates independently of the legislative and judicial branches. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention executive privilege, it is derived from the president’s role as head of the executive branch and the need for confidential communications within the executive to function effectively. The Supreme Court in United States v. Nixon (1974) affirmed the existence of executive privilege but established that it is not absolute. The Court balanced the need for confidential presidential communications against the need for evidence in criminal investigations, ruling that executive privilege must yield to judicial demands in the interest of justice. This decision reinforced that while the privilege is essential for the president to receive candid advice and perform duties effectively, it must be weighed against other constitutional requirements, such as the need for accountability and evidence in criminal cases. Thus, executive privilege is constitutionally supported but constrained by the demands of law and governance. 7. What is the current status regarding the legality and constitutionality of impoundment and line item vetoes? Do you approve? Answer: Current Status of Impoundment and Line-Item Vetoes: Impoundment refers to the president’s refusal to spend funds allocated by Congress. Historically, it was used by presidents to delay or withhold funds, but it faced significant constitutional challenges. The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 curtailed this power by requiring the president to spend appropriated funds unless Congress agrees to the impoundment. Thus, impoundment is now heavily regulated and limited by law to ensure Congressional control over budgetary allocations. Line-item vetoes allow a president to reject specific portions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation. In 1996, Congress granted the president this power through the Line Item Veto Act, but the Supreme Court struck it down in Clinton v. City of New York (1998), ruling that it violated the Presentment Clause of the Constitution, which requires that bills be approved or rejected in their entirety. Approval Stance: I do not approve of the current status of these tools as they stand. While impoundment and line-item vetoes can offer flexibility in budget management and legislative decisions, they also risk disrupting the balance of power and undermining legislative intent. The extensive limitations and the Supreme Court's ruling on the line-item veto reflect a constitutional preference for maintaining clear legislative-executive boundaries and ensuring that the president does not unilaterally alter congressional decisions. 8. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of three different approaches to managing the White House staff. Evaluating Approaches to Managing the White House Staff: 1. Hierarchical Model: • Advantages: This approach features a clear chain of command with defined roles and responsibilities, facilitating organized decision-making and efficient administration. It reduces confusion and ensures that decisions are funneled through a single, authoritative source. • Disadvantages: The rigidity of this structure can lead to slow decision-making and reduced flexibility. Lower-level staff may have less access to top decision-makers, potentially leading to a lack of communication and innovation. 2. Circular Model: • Advantages: This approach allows for more open communication and input from various advisors, as the president interacts with staff in a less structured manner. It fosters a collaborative environment and ensures that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making. • Disadvantages: The lack of a clear hierarchy can lead to inefficiencies and confusion about decision-making authority. The president might face difficulties managing conflicting advice and prioritizing issues due to the overlapping roles of advisors. 3. Ad Hoc Model: • Advantages: This flexible approach enables the president to assemble teams tailored to specific issues or crises, allowing for a more dynamic and responsive management style. It encourages creativity and problem-solving by bringing in specialized expertise as needed. • Disadvantages: The ad hoc nature can result in a lack of coherence and continuity in policy-making. It may also lead to a fragmented administration where different teams work in isolation, potentially undermining overall strategy and cohesion. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and the effectiveness often depends on the specific needs of the presidency and the management style of the president. Balancing structure with flexibility is key to effective White House management. 9. Explain how the White House staff, the Executive Office of the President, the cabinet, and the vice president contribute to managing the presidency. Give examples for each. Answer: Managing the Presidency: Contributions and Examples 1. White House Staff: The White House staff directly supports the president's day-to-day operations. For instance, the Chief of Staff manages the president’s schedule and oversees staff, ensuring that the administration runs smoothly. Communications directors handle media relations and messaging, shaping public perception and crafting the administration’s narrative. 2. Executive Office of the President (EOP): The EOP includes specialized agencies that provide crucial policy advice and administrative support. For example, the National Security Council (NSC) advises on national security and foreign policy, while the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists in preparing and managing the federal budget, ensuring fiscal policies align with presidential priorities. 3. Cabinet: The Cabinet consists of the heads of executive departments, each advising the president on specific policy areas. The Secretary of State manages foreign relations, influencing international diplomacy, while the Secretary of Defense oversees military operations and defense policy, ensuring national security strategies align with the president’s objectives. 4. Vice President: The vice president serves as the president of the Senate, casting tie-breaking votes when necessary and stepping in as president if the current officeholder is unable to serve. Beyond these roles, the vice president often acts as a close advisor and representative in domestic and international affairs, exemplified by Joe Biden’s involvement in economic and healthcare reforms during the Obama administration. These components collectively ensure that the presidency operates effectively, balancing daily management, specialized policy advice, and high-level administrative support. 10. Evaluate the constitutional duties of the vice president and the historical development of the responsibilities of the vice presidency. Answer: Constitutional Duties and Historical Development of the Vice Presidency The Constitutional duties of the vice president are outlined primarily in Article I, Section 3, which designates the vice president as the president of the Senate, responsible for casting tie-breaking votes and presiding over Senate sessions. Additionally, under Article II, Section 1, the vice president assumes the presidency if the president is incapacitated or removed from office. Historically, the vice presidency was considered a largely ceremonial role, with limited responsibilities and influence. Initially, vice presidents had minimal involvement in executive governance or policy-making. However, the role has evolved significantly. In the 20th century, vice presidents began to play more active roles in administration and policy development, reflecting their growing importance as key advisors and representatives. For example, Lyndon B. Johnson was deeply involved in domestic policy during his vice presidency under John F. Kennedy, and Dick Cheney played a substantial role in shaping national security policies during George W. Bush’s administration. This evolution illustrates the vice presidency's transition from a peripheral role to a vital component of the executive branch, involved in both policy and governance. 11. Presidents are said to have jobs as morale builders, agenda setters, and persuaders. What does this mean, and to what extent do these jobs come from the Constitution? Answer: Presidential Roles: Morale Builders, Agenda Setters, and Persuaders The roles of morale builder, agenda setter, and persuader reflect the president's influence on both the national mood and the direction of public policy, though they are not explicitly outlined in the Constitution. As a morale builder, the president is expected to inspire confidence and unity during times of crisis or uncertainty, as seen in FDR's “Fireside Chats” during the Great Depression. This role emphasizes the president's symbolic importance in maintaining national morale and cohesion. As an agenda setter, the president uses the "State of the Union" address and other means to highlight key priorities and shape the legislative agenda. This role involves proposing new policies and legislative goals, a function rooted in the president's duty to ensure the faithful execution of laws and provide Congress with recommendations for legislation, as stated in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution. As a persuader, the president must navigate a complex political landscape to garner support for their policies. This includes engaging with Congress, the media, and the public to build consensus and influence policy outcomes. While not a constitutional mandate, this role is crucial for effective governance and reflects the president's practical need to work within a system of checks and balances. These roles highlight the president’s broader influence beyond the specific constitutional duties, emphasizing leadership and strategic communication as essential to fulfilling the executive's responsibilities. 12. Identify the tools presidents use to influence Congress. Which of these tools do you think is (are) most powerful? Explain. Answer: Presidential Tools to Influence Congress and Standards for Judging Greatness Presidential Tools to Influence Congress: 1. Veto Power: The president can reject bills passed by Congress, compelling lawmakers to reconsider or amend legislation. This tool acts as a significant check on legislative decisions. 2. State of the Union Address: This annual address allows the president to outline priorities and propose legislative goals, setting the agenda for Congress and shaping public and legislative focus. 3. Executive Orders: Presidents can issue executive orders to direct the administration of federal policies, influencing how laws are implemented and enforcing their policy preferences without direct Congressional approval. 4. Public Appeals: Through speeches, media appearances, and social media, presidents can mobilize public opinion to pressure Congress into supporting or opposing specific measures. Among these, veto power is arguably the most powerful tool because it can directly block legislation and force Congress to negotiate. However, the State of the Union Address and public appeals are also highly influential as they shape legislative priorities and build public support. 13. What standards are, can be, and should be used to judge the greatness of presidents? Answer: Standards for Judging Presidential Greatness: 1. Effectiveness in Policy Implementation: Great presidents are often judged by their success in enacting significant and lasting policies, addressing major national issues effectively. 2. Leadership During Crises: The ability to lead the nation through difficult times, such as wars or economic crises, is a critical measure of presidential greatness. For instance, Abraham Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War is a notable example. 3. Impact on the Presidency and Governance: Evaluating how presidents have shaped the office and the federal government, such as expanding executive power or improving governmental processes, is crucial. 4. Moral and Ethical Leadership: Presidents are also assessed on their ability to uphold high ethical standards and promote national values, contributing positively to the country's moral fabric. These standards offer a comprehensive framework for evaluating presidential greatness, considering their policy achievements, crisis management, influence on governance, and ethical conduct. Test Bank for Government by the People David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, Christine L. Nemacheck 9780205073245, 9780134732831
Download
Close
Close
