Political Science: Exam 2

Front 1

Constitutional powers of the president

Back 1

- Requirements of the presidency- must be thirty five, a resident of the United States for fourteen years and a natural born citizen. Presidents are elected for four years and can be elected for up to two terms. The Twenty Second Amendment, ratified in 1951, limited Presidents to two terms.
Powers of the president- Make appointments with the advice and consent of the Senate, - Negotiate treaties with other nations, subject to Senate ratification - Commander-in-chief of the military- Veto power - Recess appointments -Convene Congress - Receive ambassadors- Pardon power

Front 2

Delegated powers of the president

Back 2

Delegated powers are powers ceded by Congress to the President

Front 3

Discretionary powers of the president

Back 3

Discretionary powers are powers the president assumes, giving him greater authority and flexibility in performing the duties of office.

Front 4

Presidential communication with the people

Back 4

- Presidents also use their communication skills to generate support for their programs and to maintain their popularity
-use many means and methods to communicate such as press conferences, oval office addresses, State of the Union addresses, radio addresses and photo opportunities

Front 5

The process of obtaining a presidential nomination

Back 5

- 1-candidates must first obtain the nomination of their party.
- 2-Candidates must raise money and often compete in debates.
- 3-Candidates must compete in state primary elections and caucuses. Based on their performance they obtain delegates. Republicans also have unallocated delegated and Democrats have super delegates, who are party leaders and elected officials.
-4- After campaigning to obtain delegates, candidates are officially selected at nominating conventions. To be nominated candidates must secure a majority of the delegates in a ballot. The last time a convention required more than one ballot to nominate a candidate was in 1952
-5-Vice presidential candidates are also nominated at conventions. They are generally selected by presidential nominees prior to the convention.

Front 6

GENERAL ELECTION

Back 6

the general election held on the first Tuesday in November.
-Swing (or battleground) states are closely contested and are the focus of candidate visits and advertising.
-Candidates of both parties must raise extensive amounts of money
-Presidential candidates first conducted debates and have done so in each election since 1976. Since 1984 Vice Presidential candidates have held debates.

Front 7

Electoral College

Back 7

-Presidential elections are decided in the Electoral College. All 50 states and the District of Columbia send electors to the Electoral College There are 538 electors and presidential candidates must obtain 270 electoral votes to be victorious. All but two states apply the unit rule where all of a state’s electoral votes are awarded to the winner of a plurality of the popular vote. Candidates can potentially win the national popular vote and lose the Electoral College. This last occurred in 2000.
-In the case of an Electoral College vote tie, the House of Representatives picks the president and the Senate picks the Vice President.

Front 8

Executive Order

Back 8

Executive Orders are issued by the president and have the force of law but do not require congressional approval.

Front 9

Exectutive Agreement

Back 9

An executive agreement is a pact made between the president and a foreign leader of a government that does not require Senate approval

Front 10

Rally around the Flag Effect

Back 10

The Rally around the Flag Effect is temporary and presidents not seen as responding to crises in an effective way can quickly lose popularity. – sense of patriotism engendered by dramatic national event such as 9-11 terrorist attack.

Front 11

The role of the Executive Office of the President

Back 11

- Was created in 1939 and has grown in size and authority, the president’s chief of staff serves as one of the president’s closest advisors and is the formal head of the white house staff.
- The National Security Advisor has sometime usurped the authority of the Secretary of State.
-The Office of Management and Budget allows the President to create budget plans and oversee the executive branch. Advise and help manage the federal bureaucracy

Front 12

The concept of the unitary executive

Back 12

The unitary executive concept gives the president wide powers and authorities. One aspect utilized by presidents is signing statements, which are written comments issued by a President when signing legislation. Under this concept, presidents are seen as having extensive authority in managing the executive branch and particularly in national security.

Front 13

The concept of executive privilege

Back 13

Presidents have also used executive privilege to withhold information such as documents and conversations with advisors. President Obama, despite campaigning on transparency, used the state secrets privilege to avoid releasing information

Front 14

The changing role of the Vice President

Back 14

- They have a few constitution duties other than acting as presidents of the Senate, a position that is more ceremonial than real, except when he votes to break a tie. He also is the presidents designated successor, if the president was unable to fulfill his duties to death or resignation

Front 15

The changing roles of the First Lady

Back 15

Eleanor Roosevelt was the first First Lady to articulate her own independent role writing a newspaper column, maintaining relationships with political figures and serving as the representative of her husband. -Rosalynn Carter achieved notoriety for attending cabinet meetings. -Hilary Clinton’s management of the failed 1994 health care bill represents the most prominent policy role for a first lady. -First ladies have often championed causes such as Michelle Obama’s efforts on childhood obesity

Front 16

Current Challenges facing the President and the Texas Govenor

Back 16

High unemployment in much of the country, the task of replacing many cabinet members and upcoming legislative fights over government spending, immigration and gun control.