EXECUTIVE BRANCH GENERAL IDEAS FROM CHAPTER 13

Job Effectiveness  Why Presidents have trouble getting things done Other policy makers have their own agendas, interests, and sources of power. Congress is not likely to follow his lead.  Partisanship  Constituency needs  Public Opinion numbers

Ideas relating to Presidency  Neustad, most effective power of the President is to persuade  Am. want a strong president, but not too strong.  Citizens have inconsistent expectations for their president.  The greatness of a President is as much a factor of circumstances as their own ability

22 nd Amendment  Passed in  Proposed and passed by the Republicans.  Limited the President to two terms.  Came in response to the four terms of FDR.  Clarified a precedent established by Washington

Impeachment  Is the process for removing the President and certain elected officials from office.  Johnson and Clinton were impeached by the house but not convicted by the Senate  Is very difficult to accomplish for reasons of political continuity.

The Constitutional framers….  Wanted the President to have limited responsibility and authority.  Said very little about presidential power  Checked those powers they considered those most dangerous  Would say today’s President’s have too much power.

Specific powers of the Prez  Sign or veto legislation of Congress  Commander in Chief of Armed forces  Appoint federal judges with advice and consent of Senate.  Can make treaties with senate approval  Preside over the Executive Branch

VEEPS….. Vice Prez  Preside over the Senate  Cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie in the Senate  Serve in place of President if he/she cannot attend (funerals, special events)  Have little formal responsibility  May be used to balance an electoral ticket.

Cabinet….. Info….  Developed out of tradition  Is not mentioned in the Constitution  Consists of executive branch leaders chosen by the Prez and confirmed by Senate  Branches are created by Congress  Leaders generally reflect the ideas of the President

Cabinet posts in order of creation  State: foreign policy & treaty nego.  Treasury: banking policy  Defense: military matters  Justice: govt. legal defense  Interior: natural resources  Agriculture: farming food stamps  Health and Human services: Health  Housing and Urban development: housing  Transportation: Mass Transportation Highways  Energy: Energy policy and research  Education: Education programs  Veterans Affairs: Health and welfare of veterans  Homeland Security: speaks for itself

National Security Council  Links the President’s key foreign policy advisors with the military advisors.  Provides the President with up to date information on Foreign policy matters.  It’s leader is one of the most powerful people in the world due to their influence.

Council of Economic advisors  Three members appointed by the Pres.  Advise on Economic policy  Prepare the annual Economic report of the President. (political document)  Advise the President of future and current trends in the economy

Office of Management and Budget  Created in 1921  Some political appointees  600 career officials  Review legislative, cabinet decisions  Work to keep the economic policy consistent  They create the President's budget

Concepts associated with the Pres.  Veto and Pocket veto  Party Loyalty  Presidential Coattails  Public Approval ratings  Mandates  Honeymoon period  Impoundment

The many hats of the President  Chief Legislator  Chief of the Party  Chief Diplomat  Commander in Chief  Crisis Manager  Head of State