Question 1

What does Federalist No. 70 argue for?

Accepted Answer

The need for a strong, single executive leader

(just one strong leader, rather than multiple presidents)

"energy in the executive is the leading character in the deﬁnition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks ... to the steady administration of the laws, to the protection of property ... to justice; [and] to the security of liberty ..."

Question 2

What did the 22nd Amendment do?

Accepted Answer

Limited the president's number of terms to two

Question 3

What does the 25th Amendment say?

Accepted Answer

The vice-president becomes president if the office of president is vacant

(e.g., the president dies, resigns, or is unavailable for medical reasons)

Question 4

What is impeachment?

Accepted Answer

Bringing charges of wrongdoing against a govt. official

(the House can impeach the president, and the Senate judges the charges under the chief justice; requires 2/3 Senate to remove from office)

Question 5

How does the electoral college work?

Accepted Answer

Each state chooses a number of Electors equal to its # of Senators (2) + its # of Representatives

These Electors meet to cast ballots for the president and vice president

Whichever candidate gets a majority of votes (270) wins the presidency

(electors usually vote with what their state popularly decides, but they don't have to)

Question 6

What happens if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the Electoral College?

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives chooses from the top three candidates

(the Senate has a similar process for the vice president)

Question 7

What are the vice president's duties?

Accepted Answer

Preside over the Senate

Take over the presidency if needed

Cabinet meetings, serve on Security Council, and represent the president (not in the constitution, but also important)

Question 8

What has happened to the power of the President over time?

Accepted Answer

It has greatly increased

Question 9

What is a pocket veto?

Accepted Answer

Taking no action on a bill, and waiting for it to die over time

Question 10

What is a line-item veto (partial veto)?

Accepted Answer

A theoretical veto on only specific parts of the bill; not allowed in the US

(allowed from 1996-1998, before the SCOTUS struck it down)

Question 11

What are executive agreements?

Accepted Answer

An agreement between the US and a foreign government (negotiated by the president)

Less formal and doesn't require Senate approval

Question 12

What are pardons?

Accepted Answer

Using executive power to relieve someone from the consequences of their conviction

(making a guilty person face no consequences; performed by the president)

Question 13

What is a bully pulpit?

Accepted Answer

A position that provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to

(Roosevelt called the White House a bully pulpit, as he used it to promote his agenda)

Question 14

What is executive privilege?

Accepted Answer

A claim by presidents that they have the ability to decide whether or not to withhold certain information from the public

(Nixon refused to turn over Watergate tapes, however, this particular instance was found unconstitutional)

Question 15

What checks does Congress have on the President?

Accepted Answer

Impeachment

Approves appointments

Pass legislation that limits presidential powers

Override presidential vetos with 2/3 vote from both houses

Question 16

What is presedential impoundment of funds?

Accepted Answer

A president refusing to spend money appropriated by Congress

(Congress passed a law in 1974 that made this illegal)

Question 17

What is the War Powers Act?

Accepted Answer

An act that limits the president's ability to use military force

(example of a check by Congress)

Question 18

What is the federal bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

All the government officials housed within the executive branch

(hierarchical w/ formal rules)

Question 19

What are iron triangles (subgovernments)?

Accepted Answer

Alliances between agencies, interest groups, and committees in the federal bureaucracy

Question 20

What are issue networks?

Accepted Answer

Groups of multiple interest groups, bureaucratic agencies, mass media, think tanks, and others who work on policy

Question 21

What is the Executive Office of the President?

Accepted Answer

The closest offices and advisors to the president

(includes White House Office)

Question 22

What is the White House Office?

Accepted Answer

Personal and political staff members who help the executive branch with daily activities

(part of the Executive Office of the President)

Question 23

What is the State of the Union Address?

Accepted Answer

An annual message that the President delivers to Congress

Reports on budget, economy, news, agenda, achievements, and priorities

Question 24

How does social media influence the presidency?

Accepted Answer

The president is able to spread messages more easily

(see bully pulpit and State of the Union)

Executive & Bureaucracy, AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards