Question 1

In ________ states, the candidate who wins the state's popular vote wins all of the electoral college votes for that state.

Accepted Answer

48 of the 50 states, except for Nebraska and Maine, follow the winner-takes-all system where the candidate who wins the state's popular vote gets all of the state's electoral college votes.

Question 2

The rise of the national convention was important because it

Accepted Answer

The rise of the national convention gave the presidency a mass popular base, as delegates from each state were selected by popular vote. This increased popular support eventually led to a strengthening of the presidency and demands for increased presidential power. Options A and B are incorrect as federal judges and congressional leaders did not have power in selecting presidential candidates through the national convention. Option D is incorrect as the rise of the national convention did not make the president weaker, but rather gave him a stronger popular base.

Question 3

In the early 1800s, the system of nominating presidential candidates that left the candidates beholden to their parties' leaders in Congress was called ________.

Accepted Answer

The system described is commonly known as the King Caucus, where party leaders in Congress would nominate presidential candidates and the nominee would be beholden to them. This system was eventually replaced by party primaries, where voters choose the party's nominee. The spoils system pertains to rewarding political supporters with government jobs, while presidential gerrymandering is not a term that is commonly used or recognized in relation to nominating presidential candidates.

Question 4

By indirect election of the president, the framers meant to

Accepted Answer

Through indirect election, the president is selected by the Electoral College, which consists of electors appointed by each state legislature. This was intended to make the president responsible to state and national legislatures, rather than the general population. The framers believed this would promote a more balanced distribution of power between the federal and state governments.

Question 5

The turning point in American politics toward a president-centered government came about during the administration of ________.

Accepted Answer

Franklin Roosevelt's administration marked a significant shift towards a president-centered government, especially through his New Deal policies and leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.

Question 6

An executive-congressional agreement is a contract between two countries that can be approved with a

Accepted Answer

An executive-congressional agreement, also known as a congressional-executive agreement or a legislative-executive agreement, is an international agreement that is entered into between the executive branch (the president) and the legislative branch (Congress) of the United States government. Unlike a treaty, which requires the advice and consent of the Senate by a two-thirds vote, an executive-congressional agreement can be approved by a simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 7

________ powers are specifically established by the language of the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

Expressed powers are also known as enumerated powers and are specifically listed in the language of the Constitution. They include powers such as the power to regulate commerce, declare war, and establish a post office. Delegated, implied, and inherent powers all refer to powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Question 8

The president's delegated powers come from ________.

Accepted Answer

Delegated powers are those granted by Congress to the president to facilitate the administration and enforcement of federal laws and policies. These powers are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary for the president to effectively execute the responsibilities of the office.

Question 9

The presidency is awarded to the candidate who wins

Accepted Answer

The president is not elected by the popular vote but rather by the electoral college. The candidate who wins a majority (270 out of 538) of votes in the electoral college becomes the president. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 10

Dwight Eisenhower used ________ in 1957 to send troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to help desegregate Central High School.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dwight Eisenhower used ________ in 1957 to...

Question 11

The office of the presidency was established by Article ________ of the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The office of the presidency was established by Article II of the Constitution.

Question 12

President Bush ________ in order to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate the government's response to Hurricane Katrina.

Accepted Answer

President Bush declared a "state of emergency" in order to allow FEMA to coordinate the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. This declaration authorized FEMA to provide rescue, evacuation, shelter, and other emergency assistance in the affected areas.

Question 13

The Supreme Court affirmed the power of the president to remove appointed officials from office in

Accepted Answer

Myers v. United States affirmed the president's power to remove appointed officials from office without the need for congressional approval.

Question 14

Approximately ________ people work for the various agencies within the Executive Office of the President.

Accepted Answer

According to the official website of the Executive Office of the President, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people work for the various agencies within the EOP.

Question 15

Which of the following attributes did the framers intend for the office of the president to possess?

Accepted Answer

The framers intended for the office of the president to possess energy, particularly as a response to the ineffectiveness of the previous government under the Articles of Confederation. They sought a leader who could provide decisiveness and prompt action.

Note: A high level of formal education was not explicitly listed as an intended attribute for the office of the president, although many of the early presidents did have formal education. Popularity was also not a key attribute, as the Electoral College and indirect election process were put in place to safeguard against the power of popular opinion. Unrestrained power was explicitly avoided through the system of checks and balances established in the Constitution.

Question 16

In order to get around the need for Senate approval of treaties, many contemporary presidents have made use of ________ in foreign affairs.

Accepted Answer

Executive agreements are a way for presidents to bypass Senate approval of treaties and instead negotiate and make agreements with foreign leaders on their own authority as President. Unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate ratification and are not legally binding on future administrations, making them a more flexible tool for carrying out US foreign policy. Diplomacy (A) and international protocols (B) are also important tools for conducting foreign affairs, but they do not address the specific issue of circumventing the need for Senate approval of treaties. Executive immunity (D) refers to the principle that a president cannot be held personally liable for official actions taken while in office and is unrelated to the issue of treaty ratification.

Question 17

If a state government makes a formal request that the president deploy federal troops, the president

Accepted Answer

The president is not constitutionally obligated to deploy federal troops in response to a state government's formal request. The decision to deploy federal troops is within the discretionary power of the president as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, the president may consider various factors, including legal and practical considerations, before making a decision on whether to deploy federal troops.

Question 18

The Constitution attempts to restrain the president's use of domestic force by

Accepted Answer

The Constitution attempts to restrain the president's use of domestic force by stating that a state government must request federal troops before the president can deploy them within that state to provide public order. This is outlined in the Insurrection Act of 1807.

Question 19

The Executive Office of the President was created during the administration of ________.

Accepted Answer

The Executive Office of the President was created during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt in 1939.

Question 20

The rise of national conventions to nominate the president led to the empowerment of ________.

Accepted Answer

National conventions brought state party leaders together to select a presidential nominee, which gave them more power and influence in the selection process. This shift away from Congress and towards the parties themselves also strengthened the role of political parties in American politics. Voters did not gain any direct empowerment through these conventions, although their preferences were ultimately reflected in the choices made by the state party leaders. Interest groups were not directly involved in the nomination process at this time.

Quiz 13: The Presidency