Chapters 13, 14 Flashcards
(40 cards)
Chief of State
Ceremonial head; symbol of all people of the nation (awarding medals, dedicating parks, natural disasters and tragedies)
Chief Executive
Vested by the Constitution with executive power (enforce laws, appointment, organize executive departments)
Chief Administer
Director of the Federal Government that employs 2.7 million people and uses over $2 trillion a year (oversee everyday operation, directs through cabinet heads)
Chief Diplomat
Our chief spokesperson to the world (foreign policy, treaties, executive agreements, through diplomatic staff and ambassadors)
Commander in Chief
Of our armed forces (War Powers Act, national emergencies)
Chief Legislator
Usually shapes our congressional agenda (State of the Union, vetoes, special session of congress)
Chief of Party
Head of the party that holds the executive branch (appointments, patronage, campaign fundraising, assistance to other party office holders)
Chief Citizen
Representative of all the people
Chief Judiciary
President had the power to pardon, reprieve, commute or issues clemency to any prisoner
What are the three formal qualifications to be president?
Natural born citizen, 35 years old, lived in the US for 14 years
What did the 22th amendment do?
Only two terms or 10 years in office
How much is the president paid, how much does he get for expenses and what is his/her other main benefit?
$400,000 salary $50,000 a year expenses, the 138 room mansion of the White House
Disability
Temporary shift of power in sickness/surgery/etc
What are the two main powers of the VP?
Preside over the Senate, help decide the question of presidential disability
Why are VPs chosen?
To “balance the ticket”
What happens in the case of VP vacancy?
The president will nominate a new VP to be confirmed by both houses of Congress
What is the procedure to select delegates?
Each state has their own (federalism!)
What are the three goals for the national convention?
Name the candidates, bring the leading personalities of the party together, adopt the party’s platform
What is a party’s platform?
Its formal statement of the basic principles, stances on policy matters, and objectives for the campaign and beyond
What happens in the first two days of the national convention?
Keynote address
What happens in the last two days of the national convention?
Nominate the president
What was the framers first plan for the electoral college?
The President and VP were chosen by a special body of presidential electors that would cast 2 electoral votes each for a different candidate
Why did the rise of political parties mess up the framers plan for the electoral college?
The president and VP could be from different parties
When do the electors meet to vote?
Monday after the second Wednesday in December
