Test: Presidency
6th August 2015
End of Topic Test: The Presidency
- 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
- What are the formal powers of the president?
Veto
Executive orders
Nominations
Recommendations
Commander-in-Chief
Head of State and Head of Government
- What are the informal resources of the president?
Staff in the executive branch
Party ties
Mass media
International contracts
The ‘bully pulpit’
- What are the roles of the president?
Head of State
Head of Government
Chief legislator
Chief diplomat
Commander-in-chief
Party leader
- 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
- 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 - What set out in 1947 the order of succession following the Vice President?
The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 - 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.
- 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
- What are the functions of the federal bureaucracy?
Executing laws
Creating rules
Adjudication
- 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
- What are the 6 key problems with the federal bureaucracy?
Clientelism
Imperialism
Parochialism
Incrementalism
Arbitrariness
Waste
- What is the primary role of the cabinet?
To advise the president on policy within areas covered by their departments (PRIMARY CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE) - 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Identify the 7 factors that constrain the power of the president.
Congress
Supreme Court
Public Opinion
Media
Pressure Groups
Federal Bureaucracy
Other factors
0 Comments