Presidency

Question 1

What did the sign on Harry Truman’s desk say?

Answer 1

The buck stops here.

Question 2

Article 2 states, in its first sentence, that what shall be vested in the president?

Answer 2

Executive power.

Question 3

Why did the Founding Fathers want to limit the power of the president?

Answer 3

To avoid a return to tyranny.

Question 4

Which is the most effective veto?

Answer 4

The pocket veto.

Question 5

How does a president make a binding contract with a foreign nation whilst bypassing Congress?

Answer 5

An executive agreement.

Question 6

What percentage of foreign agreements are made by EA?

Answer 6

80

Question 7

Treaties require the approval of:

Answer 7

The Senate.

Question 8

The War Powers Act requires congressional approval for the deployment of troops after:

Answer 8

60 days.

Question 9

Give two agreements which were signed as a results of executive authority, rather than being treaties.

Answer 9

Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA); Paris Climate Change Accord. (JCPOA was not, strictly speaking, an EA is it had to be renewed every 90 days, rather than existing until rescinded.)

Question 10

Paul Begala, advisor to Clinton, described EOs as:

Answer 10

Stroke of the pen, law of the land, kinda cool.

Question 11

Give an example of an EO from each of Obama, Biden, Trump 1 and Trump 2.

Answer 11

1. DACA (Obama)
2. Raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers (Biden)
3. Muslim Travel Ban (Trump 1)
4. Imposing tariffs on other countries (Trump 2)

Question 12

How many presidential impeachment trials have there been?

Answer 12

4

Question 13

The president can nominate new SCOTUS judges. Who was Obama’s failed nominee?

Answer 13

Merrick Garland.

Question 14

Which case states recess appointments cannot be made if there is a proforma session in progress?

Answer 14

NLRB v Noel Canning

Question 15

Why does Andrew Card show the power of EXOP?

Answer 15

Because as Chief of Staff, he told GWB about 9/11.

Question 16

San Francisco v Trump 2017 shows the judiciary’s power over the executive because:

Answer 16

it ruled Trump’s defunding of sanctuary cities unlawful.

Question 17

Which phrase is often used to show that presidents have more power over foreign than domestic policy?

Answer 17

Weak at home, strong abroad.

Question 18

Arthur Schlesinger suggested that the presidency could be described as:

Answer 18

imperial.

Question 19

In October 2022, Biden pardoned how many people for low-level possession of marijuana?

Answer 19

6500

Question 20

According to Neustadt, the president’s power is the power to:

Answer 20

persuade

Question 21

“Article 2 lets me do whatever I want.” Who?

Answer 21

Trump

Question 22

“If they [Congress] won’t act, I will.” Who?

Answer 22

Obama