End of Topic Test: The Presidency

1. Under the US Constitution, what are the qualifications to be president?

A natural-born US citizen

At least 35 years old

A US resident for at least 14 years

2. What are the formal powers of the president?
   Veto

Executive orders

Nominations

Recommendations

Commander-in-Chief

Head of State and Head of Government

3. What are the informal resources of the president?
   Staff in the executive branch

Party ties

Mass media

International contracts

The ‘bully pulpit’

4. What are the roles of the president?
   Head of State

Head of Government

Chief legislator

Chief diplomat

Commander-in-chief

Party leader

5. Identify the key ways in which the president can exercise executive power, without checks from the other branches of government
   Executive Orders

Presidential Memoranda

Presidential Proclamations

National Security Directives

Impoundment

Signing statements

6. What made it clear in 1967 that the Vice President will become President if the President is removed from office?
   The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967
7. What set out in 1947 the order of succession following the Vice President?
   The Presidential Succession Act of 1947
8. The Constitution only gives the Vice President two duties. What are they?
   1) to preside over the Senate, and

2) to help decide the question of presidential disability.

9. There are 7 ways in which the role of the vice-president can be seen as important. What are they?
   ‘balancing the ticket’ in elections providing experience or expertise

taking responsibility for specific areas of policy

acting as a congressional liaison

‘attack dog’ – criticising opponents more forcefully than the president is able to

standing in for the president

cheerleader – taking the lead on potentially unpopular policies

10. What are the functions of the federal bureaucracy?
    Executing laws

Creating rules

Adjudication

11. There are 4 types of organisation the make up the federal bureaucracy. What are they?
    Departments

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Independent Executive Agencies

Government-sponsored Corporations

12. What are the 6 key problems with the federal bureaucracy?
    Clientelism

Imperialism

Parochialism

Incrementalism

Arbitrariness

Waste

13. What is the primary role of the cabinet?
    To advise the president on policy within areas covered by their departments (PRIMARY CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE)
14. What are the other roles of the cabinet?

To oversee the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal within executive departments

To deal with specific areas of national and international affairs

15. What are the functions of the cabinet meetings for the president?
    Team Spirit

Collegial and consultative appearance

Information giving and gathering

Forum to debate policy

‘Big Picture’ items

Check on legislation

Push for congressional action

See cabinet members

16. What are the functions of the cabinet meetings for the cabinet?
    Get-to-know you session

Resolve inter-departmental disputes

Networking (before or after?)

Opportunity to ‘catch’ president

Increased standing in departments

17. What are the 4 key organisations of the Executive Office of the President?
    Office of Management and Budget

Council of Economic Advisors

National Security Council

White House Office

18. Identify the 7 factors that constrain the power of the president.
    Congress

Supreme Court

Public Opinion

Media

Pressure Groups

Federal Bureaucracy

Other factors