Question 1

Which of the following is the best explanation why presidents usually become quite unpopular over the course of their terms?

Accepted Answer

Presidents often campaign on important promises and policies, but they may fall short in delivering their promises during their term, leading to a decline in popularity among the public.

Question 2

How did Franklin D.Roosevelt circumvent the editors and publishers who were unsympathetic to his goals?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt held frequent press conferences which helped him cultivate relationships with reporters and bypass editors and publishers who were unsympathetic to his goals. Through these press conferences, Roosevelt was able to communicate directly with the public and sway public opinion.

Question 3

An announcement made by the president at the time of signing a congressional enactment into law is called

Accepted Answer

A signing statement is a written announcement made by the president at the time of signing a congressional enactment into law. It usually contains the president's interpretation of the law, any constitutional concerns, and directions to executive branch agencies on how to implement the law.

Question 4

Which presidential prerogative is one of the checks on the judicial branch?

Accepted Answer

The power to grant pardons and reprieves allows the President to forgive or lessen the penalties for federal crimes, effectively serving as a check on the judicial branch's decisions.

Question 5

When President George W.Bush's approval ratings dropped from over 70 percent down to the high 30s, it

Accepted Answer

It is a well-established pattern that presidential approval ratings tend to decline over the course of their time in office as they face various challenges and controversies. This pattern was evident in the case of President Bush, who saw his approval ratings drop from high levels after the 9/11 attacks to much lower levels by the end of his term. The other responses are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the reasons for Bush's declining approval ratings.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of an administrative strategy for presidential influence?

Accepted Answer

Submitting a budget proposal to Congress is an example of an administrative strategy for presidential influence, as it allows the president to outline their policy priorities and propose specific funding allocations to Congress. This gives the president considerable influence over the course of legislative action and can help shape the direction of policy in their desired direction. The other options listed could be seen as more directly persuasive or coercive tactics, rather than administrative strategies.

Question 7

When President Bill Clinton ordered the Food and Drug Administration to craft rules to restrict the marketing of tobacco products to children, he used the power of

Accepted Answer

Regulatory review refers to the process by which federal agencies, such as the FDA, create regulations and rules to implement laws passed by Congress. In this scenario, President Clinton utilized this power to direct the FDA to create rules aimed at restricting the marketing of tobacco products to children.

Question 8

Although proponents of presidential power argue that executive power is needed to deal with emergencies, the problem is that

Accepted Answer

Presidential power can be abused when a president acts hastily in response to perceived security threats, potentially infringing on civil liberties and risking unintended consequences. Emergencies may arise infrequently, but the potential for abuse of power in those situations must be carefully monitored.

Question 9

How was President Harry Truman able to desegregate the U.S.military without having to put a measure before Congress?

Accepted Answer

President Harry Truman used his executive power to issue an executive order that desegregated the U.S. military. This did not require approval from Congress, as it was within the President's power to issue orders to the military as Commander-in-Chief.

Question 10

The voice of Franklin D.Roosevelt came into almost every living room in the country to discuss programs and policies and generally assure Americans that the president was aware of their difficulties and was working diligently toward solutions in his famous

Accepted Answer

The phrase "fireside chats" is commonly associated with the radio talks that Franklin D. Roosevelt gave to the American people during his presidency. He used this method to communicate his policies and alleviate the concerns of the citizens. The other options listed are not historically associated with Roosevelt's communications to the country.

Question 11

How has social media changed presidential public appeals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How has social media changed presidential public...

Question 12

President Franklin Roosevelt's speaking trips around the nation and radio broadcasts designed to promote his programs are an example of the presidential tactic often referred to as

Accepted Answer

"Going public" refers to a presidential tactic that involves directly engaging with the public and using public speeches, rallies, and media appearances to promote their policies and garner support. Roosevelt was a master at this tactic, frequently embarking on speaking tours and using radio broadcasts to directly address the American people and gain their support for his New Deal programs.

Question 13

Which choice best describes the practice of going public?

Accepted Answer

Going public refers to the strategy used by politicians, especially presidents, to appeal directly to the citizenry for support on a policy issue, bypassing the traditional legislative or political channels.

Question 14

Which of the following is an argument advanced by advocates of presidential power?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an argument...

Question 15

__________ have replaced treaties as the primary form for deals between the United States and other countries.

Accepted Answer

Executive agreements have replaced treaties as the primary form for deals between the United States and other countries. This is because executive agreements do not require approval from the Senate, unlike treaties, which must be ratified by a two-thirds vote in the Senate. This makes executive agreements a faster and more efficient way for the United States to make agreements with other countries.

Question 16

The process through which presidents have sought to control rule making by the agencies of the executive branch is known as

Accepted Answer

Regulatory review refers to the process through which presidents attempt to exert control over rule-making by executive agencies. This often involves the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), which is part of the Office of Management and Budget and reviews draft regulations proposed by executive agencies. Through this review, presidents can influence the direction and substance of regulations before they are finalized.

Question 17

When President George W.Bush claimed the prerogative of not enforcing those portions of a bill that he deemed unconstitutional, he did so using a technique for extending executive power known as the

Accepted Answer

The technique utilized by President George W. Bush to extend executive power under the circumstance described is known as a signing statement. This tool allows the president to declare his interpretation of a law passed by Congress, including which sections or provisions he may choose not to enforce.

Question 18

Though Congress created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Congress has delegated much of its rule-making power regarding the FDA's function to the executive branch.Occasionally, the president orders the FDA to create new rules to regulate a particular product, such as tobacco, over the objections of Congress.This scenario is an example of which principal-agent problem?

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of agency loss, where the principal (Congress) delegates power to the agent (FDA) but does not have control over the actions of the agent due to information asymmetry and instrumental behavior. The president's order to the FDA creates a conflict of interest, as it prioritizes the president's agenda instead of the interests of Congress or the public, resulting in agency loss. Therefore, E is the best choice.

Question 19

Even though the Democrats had a good working majority in both chambers of Congress when Barack Obama was elected president, Senate Republicans pointed out that they could still block some of his appointments using a

Accepted Answer

Senate Republicans could use the filibuster, which allows any senator to hold the floor and speak for as long as they wish, to prevent a vote on certain appointments. By continuing to speak, they could delay or even prevent the confirmation of a nominee. The filibuster can only be overcome with 60 votes in favor of cloture, which is a motion to end debate and proceed to a vote. Therefore, even if the Democrats had a majority, they still needed some Republican support to overcome a filibuster and confirm an appointment.

Question 20

Which of the following is a reason a president might choose to pursue his or her goals using an administrative strategy?

Accepted Answer

When a president's approval ratings are low, they might face difficulty in persuading Congress to pass legislation that aligns with their goals. In such situations, presidents may opt for administrative strategies, using executive orders, directives, and other tools within the executive branch to achieve their objectives without needing congressional approval. This approach allows them to bypass potential legislative gridlocks and opposition.

Quiz 7: The Presidency As an Institution