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69 Cards in this Set
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- Back
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Whats the executive branch of government ? |
-The executive the the core the of the government where policy is formed and executed. -In the USA there is a presidential executive. Article 2 of the constitution lays out: -The popular election of the president through the electoral college for fixed terms of 4 years. -Removal of the president through impeachment. -The specified constitutional powers of the president. -Restriction to 2 terms in office in the 22nd Amendment. Neustadt argued the president only has the power to persuade. -no garantees that the powers they posses can be exercised. Presidential leadership is only possible when the president has an extraordinary temperment or experience and in crisis conditions. The paradox of the US presidency is that despite the omnipotence of the office there's much evidence for political weakness. |
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What are the constitutional powers of the American president ? |
The formal, enumerated contitutional powers: -Chief Executive. The Exec branch is controled by the president and he is responsible for the federal budget, setting out and impelmenting policy agenda. -Commander in chief. Leader of the US armed forces. -Chief diplomat. Power to make treaties with other countries, though increasingly presidents use executive agreements to avoid having senate ratification. |
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What are the implied roles and powers of the presidency ? |
-Chief legislator. ALthough the president has no formal legislative power, most legislation is initiated with the executive branch. He also has the power of the regular veto over legislation and the pocket veto at the end of a congressional session. The threat of the veto can be more powerfull than its use. -World leader. US's huge international status. -Party leader. They aren't elected. they cannot always command or even rely on support of their party in Congress. -Head of state. He performs a kind of ceremonial or symbolic function. |
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What factors have caused the growth of presidential power ? |
-The president is the only institution capable of acting quickly and decisively in a crisis. -President is the only elected politician speaking for the national interest. -Particular presidential styles or decisions have set precedents for their successors. -role as commander in chief allows him to dispatch US troops across the world although congress retains the power of the purse. -The US's status as a world super power and the development of warfare has increased the importance of they're role as commander in chief and chief diplomat dramatically. -'culture of deference' within Congress and they have to achieve 2/3 majorities in both houses to override the presidential veto. -Some SCOTUS rulings have enlarged others have reduced in presidential power. - |
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How can Congress constrain the power of the president ? |
-Amend, delay or reject the presidents legislative proposals. -Exercise full oversight over his actions and activities. -Refuse to fund any of his proposals( budget was rejected in 1989,1995 and almost in 2011) -refuse to confirm his appointments( Bork 1987) -refuse to ratify his treaties in the senate(Un arms trade 2013) or declare war. -Override his veto with two thirds majority in both houses.(Bush and the farm bill twice in 2008) -Impeach him for high crimes and misdemeanors( Clinton and Nixon) |
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How can the supreme court constrain the power of the presidency ? |
-Use the power of judicial review to declare the presidents actions unconstitutional e.g -United Stes v Nixon 1974. Nixon's claims of executive privilege over the white house tapes - Truman's seizure of the steel mills during the Korean War. -Clinton v Jones 1997 resulted in Clinton having to answer Ms Jones's lawyers questions. -Rasul v Bush 2004 ruled that detainees in Guantanamo bay did have access to the US federal courts to challenge their detention, thereby striking down one of the key parts of the Bush administration policy regarding war on terror. -Hamdan v Rumsfeld 2006 court declared unconstitutional the military commissions which the Bush administration had set up to try guantanamo Bay detainees. -Florida v dept health struck down medicaid expansion 2012. |
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How do pressure groups limit the presidents powers ? |
-PG can mobilise public opinion. E.G Clinton faced resistance from the Health Insurance Association of America when trying to pass his healthcare reforms, who ran a series of 'Harry and Louise' commercials which turned public opinion and therefore Congressional opinion against the reforms. |
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How does the public opinion constrain the power of the president ? |
-The president need the public support to deal with congress. -Clinton discoverd how important approval ratings are because his high approval ratings allowed him to survive his many scandals. Bushes ratings were 86% after 9/11 but then fell away and were down bellow 30% in 2008. |
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How does the federal bureaucracy limit the presidents power? |
-Getting the federal bureaucracy to do something is a challenge. -Many federal government are implemented by state and local governments. e.g some southern state governors frustrated IKE, Kennedy and Johnson over civil rights reforms. |
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How does the media limit the presidents powers ? |
-In the era of the 24 hour media cylcle media reports can increasing limit what presidents can do. |
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What other factors limit the presidents power ? |
- Level of unity displayed by the presidents party . e.g Clinton would have got his healthcare reforms through if the Democrats had united behind him. -Crises can limit what a president can do.e.g the election day coincided with the day marking the hostages first year in captivity so the media spent alot of time talking about the crises instead. GWB's popularity sky rocketed after 9/11. |
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The president and domestic and foreign policy: 'two presidencies' |
-All presidents try to keep a high profile in foreign policy because they have difficulty enacting domestic policy. -most leave office with little achievement in domestic policy, so as a result they tend to focus on foreign policy to secure their legacy and reputation. -This is called a Bifurcated presidency - weak in domestic policy, stronger in foreign policy. |
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How does the President attempt to achieve his legislative and policy goals ? |
-Power of persuasion or successful coalition building skills -effective use of his congressional liason Offie in the west wing -Inviting to the white house or camp david( congressmen whose votes he needs) -Campaigning for the reelection of important members of Congress(if popular) or staying away( if unpopular) -by using the media to appeal over the heads of Congress. this is called using the bully pulpit to inspire public support of his actions or proposals. |
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What variables does the success of the presidents persuasion skills rely on ? |
-honeymoon or lame duck final period. - first or second term of office. -whether or not he has clear priorities to place before Congress, leadership vision and a governing strategy -public approval ratings which are closely linked to the state of the economy and foreign policy. - coat tails and therefore majorities of his own party in both houses of Congress. - strong manadate. GWB lost he popular vote in 2000. -Wahington insider or not - skills in persuasion and coalition building - events and circumstances that dominate the presidency |
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The new 'imperial presidency' ? |
- The aftermath of 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror saw more concentration of power in the executive. -The notion of a unitary executive developed, where it was asserted that the original intent of the founding fathers was to create a strong presidency. -Congress was more docile and was dominated by the Republicans which helped because they supported Bush's demands and wishes concerning national security, evidenced by: -Passage of the patriot act -Quantanamo bay and the setting up of millitary commissions to try enemy combatant cases ignoring habeas corpus and the due process clause of the constitution. -setting up of the homeland security department -resolution to go to war with Iraq with the costs of war funded |
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The new 'imperial presidency' ? |
- the increasing use of executive orders and claims of executive privellage. Bush also added signing statements to bills before he signed them into law he could voice his disapproval which was a line item veto in all but the name. However Democrat takeover of Congress after the midterms left Bush a lame duck president for the last 2 years of his presidency. Bushes approval atings were bellow 30% and he allienated many Republicans with his Big governemnt conservatism and growing budget deficits. |
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Obama's Presidency |
Obama took office with: - a huge personal mandate -high approval ratings but also sky high expectations of hope and change -political and personal charisma and the power to persuade but he also faced -Continuing war in Afganistan -economic depression, high and rising unemployment and a rising national debt. -Critisism from the republican right for going tro far to the left and critisisms from the Democrat left from not going far enough. -Lack of filibuster proof senate of 60 Democrat votes. |
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whats the role of the VP ? |
- the vp balances the ticket -they preside over the senate and broker tied votes.( Cheney cast 8 casting votes. In a situation where the senate is split 50/50 the VP becomes very important so in our current era of partisanship and divided government they is more influential) -Heatbeat away from the presidency -Announce the results of the Electoral college in presidential elections. -Represent the president if they die or are incapacitated.(this has happened 9 times) -Biden has been active in the senate over gun control. |
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Whats the presidential cabinet ? |
-The USA has a singular executive with no collective decision taking or collective responsibility. -The cabinet contains 15 heads of fderal government departments, the director of the office of management and budget and the vp. -The use of cabinet meetings has been varied according to the presidents wishes and the circumstances of the time. -The president doesnt have to take their advice as he has alternative sources of information in the executive office. -Clinton met with his 11 times in his second term. Obama met with his twice in 2012. |
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What are the functions of the cabinet ? |
Cabinet members are responsible for the departments they head. As such they: -implement the presidents agenda in their specialist area. -appear before the congressional committees to represent the president get funding and support for the presidents policies. -attend meetings with the president, if and when required, to give advice. Often there are bilateral meetings to advise rather than full cabinet ones to discuss. -coordinate policy between the various federal departments . -they set the tone of the administration. -they develop major initiatives -They brief cabinet offices that he would not usually see. |
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How is the cabinet selected ?? |
-Presidents select their cabinet secretaries when the spoils of office are distributed. Members of the cabinet cannot be in the separation of powers. The president-elect will influenced by the following factors in his choice. -They will be policy specialists chosen for their expertise. They may not be politically experienced but will need some political skills to carry out there role. -They have to be confirmed after senate hearings. -The president may wish to construct a cabinet which reflects America.(Clintons) -A cabinet of rivals to inspire debate( Obamas with Chuck Hagel) -Pick political allies to provide partisan support. - |
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How important is the cabinet to the president ? |
-power of the cabinet is not fixed, it depends on variables such as the personalities involved or the governing style of the president. -for an inexperienced washington outsider president they will be willing to delegate alot to strong experienced cabinet members e.g GWB -Strong Washington insider presidents are likely to only rarely call cabinet meetings e.g Kennedy -cabinet secretaries have close links and loyalty to the federal cabinet that they head and its permanent permanent bureaucracy, and they have strong links with congressional committees and special interest lobbies. It is feared that they go native or are captured by so called iron triangles where policies are made for the benefit of all parts of the triangle. -presidents are also aware of clientelism "close links developed between the agencies and those they are supposed to be regulating". |
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What is EXOP? |
EXOP is an umbrella term covering the various offices that developed after the observation of the 1937 Brownlow Committee -EXOP has been described as the principal instrument of presidential government. -EXOP is used to direct and control the executive branch. -Presidents personal bureacracy- loyal only to him. -Appts not ratified + close allies |
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what does EXOP include ? The white house office -'invisable presidency', its made up of the presidents closest aids. -The key figure is the head of staff but it also includes the presidents speech writers , congressional liason team and press officers. The WHO functions are: -acting as a gate keepers, controlling access to the president( Nixons key aides 'Berlin Wall') -decide policy strategy and priorities for the president -manage the news -build support for the presidents proposals in Congress |
national security council -head by the national security adviser - advises the president on foreign policy and military matters. -competes with the state department and the defence department for the ear of the president. The office of Management and Budget -OBM constructs the federal budget - thus coordinating the legislative priorities and spending plans of the federal government departments and agencies. -OMB can be in conflict with the treasury secretary or the council of economic advisors |
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Why is EXOP so important to the president ? |
-The president relies on the advice and expertise of EXOP as an alternative to the cabinet secretaries, who may have conflicting interests. |
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What criticisms are made of EXOP ? |
-The president can become remote, isolated and overprotected from the realities -EXOP is unelected and unaccountable, only a few of its members are subject to senate ratification. -Policy drift occurs with disputes between cabinet secretaries and their EXOP counterparts leaving the president caught between conflicting advice. |
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What is the role of the federal bureaucracy ? |
-consists of the officials in the federal government departments, executive agencies and regulatory commissions who are employed by the state to advise on and carry out the policies of the political executive, thus exercising bureaucratic power. -created and funded by Congress. - A bureaucracy is indispensable to the needs of modern government to run the core functions of the state. -It lacks legitimacy as its not elected. -In the USA the 15 federal govenment departments are headed by the cabinet secretaries and staffed by the hierarchically organised federal bureaucrats, Most of whom are permanent. -The permanent status gives bureaucrats detailed policy knowledge and expertise. |
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What factors make for an effective president ? |
-A large popular vote mandate at the last election -High approval ratings between elections. -Party control of both houses of Congress. -An understanding of Washington politics. -An understanding of international politics. -Moral authority. -Good on television. -Competent senior white house staff. -Fist term rather than second term. -Ability to persuade. |
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The presidents relations with Congress. |
-Neaustadt said 'the presidents power is the power to persuade' -In August 2011 president Obama was getting ready to use his persuasive powers to show his support for a major new stimulus package before Congress, the American Jobs Act. The president sent a letter to the speaker to ask him to schedule the address for the early evening of the 7th of September but the Speaker refused because it coincided with the Republican presidential candidates televised debate so Obama had to do it the next day on the day that the first NFL game of the season started. -The founding fathers desire for cooperation and compromise between these two branches of government 'ambition must counteract ambition' but it often leads to inaction and gridlock. |
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Powers of the president -propose legislation -submit the annual budget -veto legislation -act as chief executive -nominate executive officials -nominate federal judges -negotiate treaties commander in chief |
Checks by Congress -amend/block legislation -amend the budget -Override the veto -impeachment -confirmation -confirmation -ratifiation -power of the purse |
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who and how can the president use people to persuade for him or her ? |
Presidential persuasion through other people -Use the VP. All of the last six VP have been former members of Congress. The VP is the president of the senate so they have a foothold in Congress. -Members of the Office of Legislative Affairs who work as full time lobbyists for the president on Capitol Hill. -Cabinet officers can be deployed by the white House to talk to members of Congress in their own policy areas. -Party leadership in Congress, the house speaker, the majority and minority leaders of both houses, party whips, committee chairs and ranking minority members. |
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what perks of the president can be used for persuasion? |
-Personal phone calls. e.g Clinton calling Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky to cast the crucial 218th vote for the passage of his budget. -Might offer help with legislation that benefits the constituents of a member of Congress. -Might offer to look more favourably on a judicial or executive branch appointment of interest to the member. -Invite members for an Oval Office meeting. -President might offer to campaign for them or not if he is unpopular. - go on national tv to appeal over the heads of Congress. -Invitation to a bill signing ceremony -Trip on air force one. |
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The results of presidential persuasion |
-presidential support score measure how often the president won in recored votes. -Presidential support tends to decline during the term and is higher if the presidents part controls both houses of Congress. The scores limitations are - it doesnt measure the importance of the votes -Presidents can avoid low scores by not taking positions on votes they know they are going to loose. -The score does not count votes that fail to come to a vote on the floor of either house. Carter announced a position in over 300 votes wheras Obama only annouced a position in 184 in 2011. |
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whys the job of getting support for the president legislation become harder? |
-declining levels of party discipline in Congress. -Higher levels of partisanship in Congress -Members of Congress are now more aware of their constituents wishes. -Changes in the methods of selecting presidential candidates has resulted in Washington outsiders becoming president, so they know less about the working of government. -Power of the leadership has been eroded as Congress has become more democratic and power more diffused. |
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what's the partisan presidency's relations with Congress? |
The system used to be characterised by biparisanship and cooperation because Republicans could get support from conservative Democrats and visa versa, with cross party support. -Now the parties are more ideologically cohesively liberal in the case of the Democrats and conservative in the case of the Republicans so inter party cooperation and bipartisanship is much rarer. So the presidents have to increasingly rely on strong support from their own parties. -No Republicans voted for Obamacare and only 3 Republican senator voted for the economics stimulus package and only 3 Republicans in the Senate and 3 in the House voted for the Dodd-Frank wall street reform act. |
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what,s partisanship done to voting at elections ? |
-The president no longer receives votes from across party lines. In 1976 20% of Democrats voted for the Republican incumbent Ford. However since 2000 no Democrat candidate has received less than 86% of the Democratic vote and no Republican candidate less than 90%. |
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what's partisanship done to the presidential approval rating ? |
-The gap between the approval rating of the president within his own party and those within the opposition party. -Second year of Carters presidency 58% approval rating in in Democrats and 28% in the Republicans making it a 30% difference between the two. Now though the diffence in aproval ratings between the two parties is much greater. In GWB's 4th year he averaged a 91% approval rating amongst Republicans and only a 15 % amongst Democrats making it a 76% difference. So it could be said we are in an era of the marmite presidency. |
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Parisanships effect on the White House ? |
-Presidential aides and advisers were known for their neutral competence. White House staff were known for having a passion for anonymity. They were non partisan experts more interested in policy than politics. -Today they are more categorised as ideological salesman rather than as neutral administrators. |
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Partiasnships effect on the media ? |
-The old media was largely objective with 'Uncle Walter' of CBS Evening News once named the most trusted man in America. -Now the alternative media is characterised by partisan political reporting. With the electorate listening to stations that suit there ideology. |
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what are the effects of the partisan presidency ? |
-Makes life harder for the president. Because the number of persuadable minds in COngress and the country has sharply declined. |
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What are the extra constitutional powers of the president that relate with foreign policy ? |
Appointments- Some appointments to the executive branch have foreign policy implications, such as secretary of state, secretary of defense, secretary of homeland security, director of the CIA and all the ambassador whom the president appoints. Executive agreements- Executive agreement is an international agreement reached by the president with one or more foreign heads of state and does not require senate approval, though most of these deal with routine matters such as minor trade agreements. Setting the tone- The president has the ability to set the tone of foreign policy through set speeches, the inaugural address or the of union address. E.G GWB set the tone of foreign policy talking about the axis of evil in the 2002 state of the Union address following the 9/11 attacks |
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Congress and foreign policy |
-Congress has the power to declare war and agree to budgets and to investigate. -The Senate has powers to confirm appointments and to ratify treaties. -The war powers act was largely ineffective. -Congress posses a great deal of expertise in its foreign policy related committees. -But at times of crises, America looks to the president not Congress. It is the president who has a daily intelligence briefing and all the secretaries of state, defence and homeland security and the director the CIA regularly report to the president. |
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Whats the federal bureaucracy made up of ? -Independent regulatory commissions which are administratively independent of the branches of federal government. They operate behind barriers created by Congress to shield them from direct presidential control. However they are under pressures from the white House, Congress and the industries they regulate. -Government corporations which provide commercial functions such as the united states postal service. Depts( 2 tiers) -Executive agencies -regulatory commissions -Government corporations |
-The federal bureaucracy can be divided up into 4 broad categories: -Executive department(the giants). The heads of these executive departments are designated as the secretary with the exception of the justice department. Executive departments are made up of two tiers, the first tier comprising of state,treasury, defence and justice and the second tier comprising of all the rest. The first tier are the most prestigious. -Executive agencies which are very similar to executive departments except their head are called directors. A number of executive agencies have been upgraded to executive department |
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Explain the main problems with the federal bureaucracy ? |
-Agencies tend to serve who they are supposed to be overseeing. -Agencies tend to try to expand their power and responsibilities at the expense of others.(bureaucratic imperialism. -Agencies tend to be parochial, having narrow interests on their own goals. -Most agencies are know for acting slowly and cautiously. -In applying rules and regulations agencies often ignore the particular concerns of or specific merit of those who will be affected by the rules. |
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The federal bureaucracy |
-They have grown in the 20th century, brought about by industrialisation, immigration, westward expansion, the New Deal and the development of modern means of communication such as road, rail and air as well as telephone, radio and other electronic media. Also the USA role as a world superpower has added to those responsibilities. |
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Define the federal bureaucracy ? |
The unelected, administrative part of the executive branch of the federal government, made up if departments, agencies and commissions that carry out policy on a day to day basis. The word bureaucracy has overtones of red tape, systems dedicated to routine, resistance to change and inefficiency. |
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What are the functions of the federal bureaucracy ? Executing laws, creating rules and adjudication. Executing laws The federal bureaucracy must make sure that laws are carried out e.g mail delivered( the unites states postal service, taxes are collected( international revenue service:IRS). This is the principal function of the executive departments |
Creating rules -Legislators usually establish broad principals of policy. Bureaucrats write the specific rules that decide how the laws will be executed. The regulatory commissions of the federal government plays a significant role. Adjudication -In executing laws and creating rules disputes will inevitably arise the federal bureaucracy adjudicate such disputes. |
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Who are the personnel of the federal bureaucracy ? 1978 civil service reform act established the office of personal management to manage those who work within the federal bureaucracy. It overseas the evaluation, investigation, training and retirement programmes. |
However civil service recruitment is more decentralised and politicised. The OPM has offloaded many of its recruitment responsibilities to the individual agency heads. -Some of the upper level posts are appointed on the grounds of politics rather than purely on merit. Schedule c appointments are decribed as being of a confidential or policy determining character, these are available to president to fill with so called political appointees. -Mid level appointments have a certain degree of political appointment in the buddy system. -The majority of the federal bureaucracy a career civil servants recruited on the basis of competitive examinations. The old spoils syste has been replaced with the merit system in the civil service reform act 1883. -Bill Clinton wanted his cabinet to look like America |
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whats an iron triangle ? |
An iron triangle is a strong relationship between special interests, congressional committees and the related agency in a given policy area for the mutual benefit of the 3 parties. Eamples the relationship between defence contractors, the house and senate armed services committees and the defence department which results in a large national defence budget. |
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define going native ? |
A term used to refer to a political situation in which political appointees cease to be advocates of the politician that appointed them and instead become advocates for the bureaucracies and the special interests associated with their policy area. -A way around this problem is to appoint close and trusted friends to key posts in the federal bureaucracy. |
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How the federal bureaucracy inefficient ? |
- The pay of federal civil servants is determined more by the length of their job than by job performance. only 22% agree that pay rises depend on how well employees perform their jobs. -Clintons VP Al Gore had the task of reassessing the organisation and efficiency of the federal bureaucracy. His success was limited because his economic efficiencies from outsourcing employees did not always lead to practical efficiencies. - The federal bureaucracies inefficiency was on display with its response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, this was because Bush had appointed the administrator of FEMA on the basis of cronyism. |
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What checks the power of the federal bureaucracy ? |
the role of congress Congress has legislative power to establish, merge or abolish departments and agencies. Congress can use the power of the purse to finance departments and agencies as well as its power of oversight to investigate federal departments and agencies. -Appointments process |
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define the cabinet ? |
The advisory group selected by the president to aid him in the decisions and coordinating the work of federal government, membership of which is determined by both tradition and presidential discretion. |
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What are the constraints on the presidents power of appointment ? -The president only makes a relatively small contribution. CLinton could appoint 100 people to the Department of Transportation which was less than 1% of the total workforce. -Appointments have to be made in the two month transition period between election and the inauguration day, as a result the president delagates a large proportion of sub cabinet appointments. |
-May be a shortage of appropriate individuals, people will be reluctant to leave long term lucrative posts in private companies for short term service in Washington. Others may be unwilling to disclose details of their personal life and financial affairs as members of the federal bureaucracy are required to do. - The president may have to ensure their cabinet looks like America. Clinton used the egg formula. Ethnicity, gender, geography. - Recess appointments are only temporary and senior appointments are subject to senate confirmation.( Congress sat for 1 minute a week in parts of 2013 to stop Obama from making recess appointments) |
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Presidents power of appointment ? |
1926 Myers v United states gave the president wide powers to remove executive branch employees. 1958 Wiener v United states if an official sphere of responsibility include adjudicative functions the president cannot remove the official for political reasons. |
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The power of reorganisation |
1949 reorganisation act gave the president the power to reorganise and restructure the federal bureaucracy. 1978 civil service reform act cut some of the ties between senior bureaucrats, the departments and agencies and influencial interest groups. During Reagan the social security administration was cut from 80,000 to 60,000 and the office of research and statistics was dismantled. 1971 Nixon proposed 8 existing cabinet rank departments merged to form 4 larger super departments but Congress didn't accept the proposal. 2002 following 9/11 Bush proposed the creation of a department of Homeland Security. |
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Presidential appointments ? Delays -The process has been slowed down which leaves positions unfilled for long periods. the average confirmation time for nominees to the circuit courts of appeal was 64.5 days under Reagan but now under Obama its over 227.3 days. -Growing numbers of nominees have not only been delayed but blocked. The nuclear option -The nuclear option refers to a rule change whereby some nominations could be put to the vote with a backing of just a simple majority instead of 60 votes. Its described as being nuclear because it constitutes a major challenge to the senate tradition of relying on unanimity or a super majority. |
Retaliation-Senators are reluctant to reduce the scope of the cloture rule as they know that they may be in the minority in the senate at some point. -The nuclear option doesnt apply to supreme court nominations or legislation. -The nuclear option ensures positions are filled more quickly and facilitates the speedier setting of regulations by government agencies. |
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Why does the cabinet have little overall significance ? -president is the soul source of political authority -Cabinet has no formal or established role, and its not always trusted or respected by the president. -May not have been selected by the president because of their ability to cooperate with him in shaping policy but instead to represent particular interests in the cabinet. -Cabinet members are drawn to closely towards their departments and the interest groups active in their area of policy. -The president is the head of the executive branch and there no collective decision making or collective responsibility |
-President tends to turn to an individual cabinet member or exop. -Cabinet members are specialist with little interest in wider government. -Cabinet members regard fellow cabinet members as rivals for money and resources. Its important to distinguish between the cabinets importance as a body and the importance of its individual members. The president tends to make decisions on a bilateral or one to one basis. The cabinet serves the purpose of representing the presidents commitments to the interests of particular groupings, it may also be used to rally support for a certain set of policies. |
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tensions between the cabinet and exop ? |
-issue of geographic proximity as exop is located closer to the president. -Members of the cabinet have to manage their departments while dealing with the demands of congress which determines their budget, which are pressures that exop staff avoid. |
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Criticisms of Obamas appointments to the white house office ? |
Obamas west wing is inexperienced. -22 of the 39 top positions in the white hose office are taken by people involved in Obama's presidential campaign or transition team. |
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what are executive orders ? |
Executive orders are directives, issued by the president to the federal bureaucracy in which they are given guidance on their role of executing and applying legislation |
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What are the limits on the presidential powers to issue executive orders ? |
-The US appeals court ruled that executive orders were intended primarily as a managerial tool so it didnt give executive orders the force and effect of law. Clinton issued executive order in 1995 that banned federal agencies using cotractors that replaced lawful striking officials, this clashed with the National Labour Relations Act. This executive order was struck down by the US court of appeals. So executive orders remain subject to juducial review and can be overturned by congress willing to challenge the presidential power and the threat of a veto. |
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What have been the highs and the lows of Obamas presidencys ? Jan 2009 +sworn in with a 69% approval rating -Signed an executive order to suspend the operation of Guantanamo bay but Congress blocked the funding necessary. March 2010+Obama signed the affordable care act into law, making him the first president to achieve comprehensive healthcare reform. - approval rating remained bellow 50%. November 2010-Democrats lost 63 seats in the House which was the highest loss for 80 years December 2010+ repealed the don't ask don't tell policy . May 2011 +Killed Osama Bin Laden which pushed approval ratings u to 56 % although Bushes were 90% after 9/11. August 2011-Government had reached the borrowing limits set by Congress ang the US credit rating was downgraded for the first time in American history. |
September 2012-The american ambassador to Libya was killed in Benghazi as part of terror attack though Susan Rice appeared on Television saying that this was not the case. This has then been used to criticise the President and his administration. November 2012 +Obama reelected and Democrats gained seats in both houses of Congress. October 2013 -Government ran out of money and so shutdown for 16 days. 2015-Republicans in Congress inviting Netanyahu to give a speech there critical of Obama -54 Republican senators writing to the Iranian government telling them to ignore Obama because they will overturn any treaty. |
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Joe Biden's Vice presidency |
- He balanced the ticket for Obama. 36 years in the senate and chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, catholic faith, race and average joe personality. -He has visited Asia which shows Obama has real faith in him as a diplomat. |
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How powerful was the Bush presidency ? |
Neo imperial presidency. -Signing statements which state how agencies and government commissions should interpret an act increased to 435 in Bush's first term. Some suggest that these represent a resurrected form of the line item veto but maybe this is going to far. -Theory of the unitary executive. |
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Expectations of presidential leadership have increased exponentially since 1933 |
-The presidents constitutional powers have remained the same but practical power and resources have increased substantially. -Presidents invariably raise expectations of personal success in election campaigns, promising to be transformational rather than transactional figures |
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Define Clientelism ? |
-where close links are developed between agencies and those they are supposed to be regulating ('agency capture') |
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what factors have increased presidential power ? President can circumvent the need for the senate to ratify their treaties by using executive agreements. The number of executive agreements dwarfs the number of treaties. -Size and the organisational structure serving the president has grown. - Power of the use/ threat of the veto. -Legislation passed by Congress can often be in a broad scope the way it is implemented depends upon decisions made by the executive. |
-Laws passed by Congress have added to presidential powers. E.G 1946 Employment Act. -Circumventing the provisions of the constitution. E.G presidential appointments to senior government positions require senate confirmation but the president can make recess appointments when Congress is in recess although these appointments are temporary. -Acquired emergency powers. 1976 Emergencies Powers Act. Presidential power tend to follow the pattern: -Presidential dominance during periods of economic or foreign policy crisis. -Congressional reassertion of its power when the crisis is over. -The elastic character of the constitution. there are certain phrases that can mean anything eg the president has the power to take care of the general welfare of the USA |
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how's the cabinet selected ?
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Senate rejection of presidential nominees is rare and has only happened twice since 1945 the most recent being John Tower in 1989, however president have been known to withdrawn nominations they feel might be rejected like Susan Rice 2013.
-Presidents can choose their cabinet members from a much larger pool than in the Uk. -However Congress decides the size and the make up of the cabinet. |
