The Presidency Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are the two different job titles of the president which gives them formal sources of presidential power? How does this compare to the UK?
They are both head of government and head of state (in the UK, the monarchy is the head of state)
Roosevelt: ‘I am both king and Prime Minister’
Where in the constitution is the Presidency role established?
Article 2, section 1
What are the enumerated powers (written in the constitution) of the president under the role of head of government?
Executive powers: chief executive of the government (with EXOP’s help) and prepares the annual budget
Legislative powers: propose/sign/veto legislation
Appointment powers: executive branch officials and federal judges
Foreign affairs powers: commander in chief and negotiates treaties
The power of the pardon
Who writes the budget for the president?
The office of Management and Budget, who is part of the President’s bureaucracy (EXOP)
Who must the president submit the budget to and why can this cause issues?
Submit it to congress, following a lengthy bargaining process between the President and Congress, especially during divided government. This has frequently led to gridlock and government shutdowns
Since when has the role as commander in chief declined and since when did it pick up again?
Declined since the collapse of the Soviet Union and then increased again since 9/11
How did the VP used to be elected?
There was one voting ticket and those in 2nd became the VP
How has the electing of VP’s changed?
12th amendment saw the process changing so the VP is elected in a joint ticket, meaning parties need to balance the ticket- picking VPs who appealed to different voters
25th amendment means they can now be nominated by the President if a role becomes vacant
What are the three powers of the Vice President?
Taking over as president if necessary
Acting as presiding officer over the senate- casts the deciding vote if there’s a tie
Presiding over the counting of the electoral college votes
What has undermined the VP’s role of presiding over the senate and casting the tie-break vote?
The increase in filibustering, as most votes now need 60 senators
What are some of the informal sources of power for the President?
The cabinet
EXOP
National Security Council
Office of Management and Budget
Powers of persuasion
Executive orders/agreements
Signing statements
What may President’s consider when appointing their cabinet?
Regional balance
Ideological balance
Gender balance
Race balance
Age
Experience
What are the requirements to be in the cabinet?
You cannot be a member of congress (no fusion of branches)
No age or birthplace requirements
FBI checks and senate confirmation by simple majority
How many heads of departments are there which the president must appoint?
15
Who is thought to have been the most influential VP in history?
Dick Cheney - Before VP, he was white house chief of staff, in the HOR, was the house minority whip and secretary of defence. He was a vocal supporter of military action in Iraq and Afghanistan and repeatedly told the media Iran had weapons of mass destruction
What does the power of the cabinet depend on?
The frequency of meetings and what is discussed
What are the functions of the cabinet?
Create team spirit- many will be strangers; this function only lasts one year or so and explains why cabinet meetings dwindle
Media coverage- seems like they are an open administration
Exchange information between departments
Present big picture items, e.g. budget
Monitor Congress and its policy agenda
Prompt action from certain members
Enable personal contact
How important is the cabinet really?
Individually, its members are very important, but nobody in the cabinet ‘outshines the president’
What are the four structural reasons that the cabinet can never be as effective as the President?
-The constitution grants all executive power to the President
-No doctrine of collective responsibility. Not first among equals, but simply first. ‘He doesn’t sum up at the end of the meeting; he is the meeting’
-The cabinet is not a stepping stone to the presidency so members are not political rivals
-The existence of EXOP, which is something of a rival to the cabinet
Who are EXOP?
Largely based in the West Wing of the White House, it’s the top staff agencies in the White House that assist the president in carrying out the major responsibilities of office. It includes over 2,000 staff
Which are the most important offices in EXOP?
the White House Office
The National Security Council
Office of Management and Budget
Who is the White House Office?
The President’s most trusted aides and advisors, acting as a liaison between the White House and federal beauracracy
Made of 36 different offices
In charge is the White House Chief of Staff
What is the role of the White House Chief of Staff?
They are appointed by the president and should always seek his best interest rather than their own and protects the president from political harm. Cheney put it as: ‘he takes the credit, I take the blame’
Who are the Office of Management and Budget?
3 main functions:
-to advise the president on the allocation of federal funds in the annual budget
-to oversee the spending of all federal departments and agencies
-act as a clearing house for all legislative and regulatory initiatives coming from the executive branch (all executive policy must go through OMB)
