Question 1

The Constitution does not limit or require that the president share which of the following powers with any other branch?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution grants the president the sole power of pardon, without any requirement to share this power with any other branch of government.

Question 2

What is the primary reason that American presidents do not exercise the power of a line-item veto?

Accepted Answer

The primary reason that American presidents do not exercise the power of a line-item veto is that the Supreme Court has ruled that such a power would require an amendment to the Constitution. In the 1998 case of Clinton v. City of New York, the Supreme Court declared the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 unconstitutional. Therefore, despite previous attempts to grant the president line-item veto power, the Supreme Court has determined that it would require a constitutional amendment to be enacted.

Question 3

A series of U.S.Supreme Court decisions (Rasul v.Bush, Hamdi v.Rumsfeld, and Boumediene v.Bush) affirmed

Accepted Answer

The series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions affirmed that post-9/11 detainees have certain constitutional rights and protections, such as the right to challenge their detention in court.

Question 4

Which of the following presidential functions is LEAST associated with the president's role as chief of state?

Accepted Answer

The president proposing legislation to Congress is not traditionally associated with the role of chief of state, but rather with the president's role as chief executive and chief legislator. The other options all relate to the symbolic and ceremonial duties that are typically associated with the role of chief of state, such as recognizing acts of heroism, delivering speeches to the people, and hosting foreign visitors.

Question 5

President Bush's attempt to negotiate a binding status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government, without the approval of the U.S.Senate, is an example of

Accepted Answer

An executive agreement is a type of agreement made between the President and another country that does not require Senate approval. President Bush's attempt to negotiate a binding status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government without the approval of the U.S. Senate falls under this category.

Question 6

An executive order is

Accepted Answer

An executive order is a presidential decree that has the force of law but has not been approved by Congress. The president has the authority to issue executive orders to direct and manage the operations of the federal government. While executive orders are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, they are considered a customary part of presidential powers.

Question 7

The foreign policy tools available to the president include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Declarations of war are not a foreign policy tool available to the president. Only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war.

Question 8

In winning votes for their agenda, presidents can employ a number of tactics, including which of the following?

Accepted Answer

All of these tactics can be used by presidents to win votes for their agenda. They can direct funds to member districts for discretionary projects to win the support of members of Congress, help members of their own party raise campaign funds and make personal appearances for them to show their support, recommend members or their campaign contributors for political appointments to gain their support, and appeal to the public and ask them to pressure Congress to support their agenda.

Question 9

The Monroe Doctrine, issued by President Monroe in 1823, asserted the intention of the U.S.to

Accepted Answer

The Monroe Doctrine's primary purpose was to warn European powers against colonizing or interfering with independent states in the Western Hemisphere. It did not express an intention to support free peoples or act as a global police force. The Doctrine also did not address Chinese influence in Asia.

Question 10

Compared to early presidents, presidents from Ronald Reagan onward have been more likely to

Accepted Answer

Presidents from Ronald Reagan onward have been more likely to issue signing statements qualifying their support for a law. This allows them to express their reservations about the bill without vetoing it and potentially facing a veto override by Congress.

Question 11

President Bush's decision, with the acquiescence of Congress, to treat captives taken in Afghanistan as unlawful enemy combatants but to deny them the protections guaranteed by the Geneva Convention is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of President Bush's decision, with the acquiescence of...

Question 12

One of the more controversial (and currently sharply curtailed) powers of the president is the power of impoundment, whereby

Accepted Answer

The power of impoundment allows the president to withhold funds that have been appropriated by Congress. This power has been sharply curtailed since the 1970s with the passage of legislation requiring the president to inform Congress of any plans to impound funds and giving Congress the ability to overturn such decisions. The other options listed are not accurate descriptions of the power of impoundment.

Question 13

Which president described the presidency as a "bully pulpit" from which to advocate for change?

Accepted Answer

Theodore Roosevelt famously used the phrase "bully pulpit" to describe the power he had as president to advocate for causes and influence public opinion. He saw the presidency as a platform to promote progressive ideas and reform, such as environmental conservation and consumer protection. This approach to the presidency has been emulated by many other presidents since, and the phrase "bully pulpit" has become synonymous with the idea of using the presidency as a platform for change.

Question 14

How many times in American history has Congress formally declared war?

Accepted Answer

Congress has only formally declared war five times in American history. These were the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II. There have been many other military conflicts in which the US has been involved, but Congress did not pass a formal declaration of war for them.

Question 15

A president's legislative success is relatively high in all of the following situations EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

When Congress is in the hands of the opposition party, the president's legislative success is relatively low due to divided government and partisan gridlock.

Question 16

Generally speaking it is MOST difficult to accurately gauge a sitting president's performance as

Accepted Answer

Economic performance is influenced by numerous external factors beyond a president's control, making it challenging to accurately assess their impact as an economic leader.

Question 17

President Obama's job approval rating was highest in

Accepted Answer

President Obama's job approval rating was highest in 2009 with an average approval rating of 63%, which slowly declined throughout the rest of his first term.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about executive orders is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

Executive orders are not exceptional devices and they can be issued for various reasons beyond national emergencies such as implementing policies or changing bureaucratic rules.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the president's legislative power is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

While presidents who win a second term may have more experience and political alliances, it does not necessarily make it easier for them to push through legislation. The political climate and composition of Congress can still pose challenges to their legislative agenda.

Question 20

Presidential doctrines formally outline the president's

Accepted Answer

Presidential doctrines formally outline the president's foreign policy goals, including strategies and priorities for engaging with other countries and addressing global issues.

Quiz 12: The Presidency: Power and Paradox