Question 1

Explain how the president controls the implementation of laws through the executive branch.What are the different organizations or people the president can appoint to help implement laws? What criteria does the president use for selecting them? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the president controls the implementation...

Question 2

Under which of the following conditions would we expect presidential approval to increase?

Accepted Answer

Presidents typically experience an increase in approval ratings during times of national crisis when the public rallies around the leader in response to the situation.

Question 3

Describe the official role that a president can have in the legislative process.Under what conditions can the president propose legislation? What options are available to the president when Congress passes legislation? Do you think that we should consider expanding the president's constitutional role in the legislative process to reflect more accurately the role the president does play? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the official role that a president...

Question 4

What does it mean for a president to "go public"? What are the strengths and weaknesses of using this strategy when Congress does not initially want to go along with a president's policy ideas? In your opinion,does the president's ability to do this make the president too powerful? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean for a president...

Question 5

Although the Constitution discusses the president less than it discusses Congress,most Americans see the president as our most important political official.Drawing on the discussion in the chapter,choose three different examples in which a president has had a significant impact on everyday Americans.Make sure that you clearly describe the situations you choose and explain how they illustrate the importance of the presidency in American politics.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although the Constitution discusses the president less...

Question 6

Write an essay that describes a president's constitutional and statutory authority.What do these terms mean? How do they influence the roles and responsibilities of presidents? What opportunities and constraints do they create for presidents to influence policy making?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write an essay that describes a president's...

Question 7

The text argues that many presidents engage in what they call unilateral action.What does this mean? If a president does engage in unilateral action,what are Congress's options for undoing it? Based on your answer to these questions,do you think that presidents have too much or too little power?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text argues that many presidents engage...

Question 8

The term unilateral action refers to:

Accepted Answer

Unilateral action refers to a president changing policy without consulting Congress, making decisions without the approval or input of other government branches or institutions.

Question 9

Debates about the limits of presidential power often revolve around:

Accepted Answer

The Constitution provides broad outlines of presidential power but lacks specific limits, leading to debates about the extent of these powers.

Question 10

In general terms,how did George W.Bush's approval rating change over his two terms in office?

Accepted Answer

George W. Bush's approval rating decreased over his two terms in office. His approval rating was high in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but it steadily declined over the course of his presidency, particularly after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. By the end of his second term, his approval rating was around 25-30%.

Question 11

Although presidents have limited constitutional authority,many of them are capable of realizing major accomplishments.Explain this contradiction,and then draw on one of the many examples in the chapter to illustrate your point.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although presidents have limited constitutional authority,many of...

Question 12

What is presidential approval? Under what conditions do presidents see their approval ratings go up? Under what conditions does it go down? Why is this widely considered the best indicator of a president's ability to influence the policy process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is presidential approval? Under what conditions...

Question 13

When presidents offer interpretations of new laws before those laws are implemented,they typically do so:

Accepted Answer

When presidents offer interpretations of new laws before they are implemented, they typically do so in a signing statement, which is a written document that comments on the bill being signed into law and sometimes includes the president's interpretation of how the law should be implemented or enforced.

Question 14

What criteria do presidents use in choosing their close advisers? Define each criterion you identify and explain why it is important in staffing the Executive Office of the President.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What criteria do presidents use in choosing...

Question 15

What do you think are the most important traits a president can possess? Compare and contrast your answer with what the typical American thinks about this question.Do you agree or disagree with members of the public? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do you think are the most...

Question 16

While American politics tend to be fairly ________,Americans value traits in their presidents that are consistent with the need for ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While American politics tend to be fairly...

Question 17

How can Congress undo a president's unilateral action?

Accepted Answer

Congress can undo a president's unilateral action by passing new legislation that overrides or counters the action. This is the most common and practical way for Congress to exercise its power to check the executive branch. Option A may also be a correct answer in some cases, but it requires a ruling by the Supreme Court, which may take time and be subject to political considerations. Options C and D are extreme measures that are unlikely to be taken unless the president poses an immediate threat to national security or the rule of law. Option E is incorrect; while the president enjoys significant executive power, Congress has the authority to check and balance that power through legislative means.

Quiz 10: The Presidency