The Presidency

President Clinton’s comment in the excerpt reflected which of the following arguments regarding the line-item veto?

• That the office of the president should not imitate the powers of state governors because this would result in a reduction of political authority.

• That the demands of the presidency so eclipse the financial difficulties faced by state governors that it is essential to transfer the line-item veto from the states to federal jurisdiction.

• That the bipartisan nature of the vote is a clear indicator of the need to eliminate all “pork barrel” politics.

• That the only way to balance the federal budget and reduce deficits was to enact legislation giving the president a line-item veto.

Which of the following best explains the Supreme Court’s logic in resolving the constitutional issues inherent in the above excerpt?

• Executive branch power should be increased through the “Commerce Clause” of Article I in order to maintain domestic financial stability.

• The idea for a powerful executive is set forth in Federalist No. 70 and therefore the line-item veto is justified.

• The Supreme Court declared the line-item veto for the president to be unconstitutional asserting a violation of separation of powers.

• The Supreme Court affirmed the need for a line-item veto, but qualified the decision by asserting that the president could accomplish the same goals through an executive order.

Which of the following best describes the function of a signing statement?

• This is a presidential strategy to undermine legislation unfavorable to a president’s agenda.

• This is a tactic to influence how policies are to be administered during a president’s tenure in office.

• This is a kind of veto that allows the president to make a negative statement on pending legislation while Congress is on recess.

• This is a statement that authorizes presidential action in spite of Congressional opposition while Congress is on recess.

Which of the following best describes the criticism a president might face for using a signing statement?

• Since use of the signing statement occurs so infrequently, presidents often expect Congress to respond far too quickly than is possible.

• By using signing statements so frequently, presidents actually impose themselves on the legislative process and modify the intent of the laws.

• By using signing statements, the president constrains Congress to modify legislation at an early stage in order to conform to the executive agenda.

• Signing statements interrupt the negotiation between branches that forms the heart of the legislative process.

What may have led to Andrew Johnson having most of his vetoes overridden?

• Johnson was a Democrat and Congress was made up of Republicans

• Johnson vetoed bills that were very popular.

• Johnson was attempting to fulfill Lincoln's legacy against a hostile Congress.

• Most of Johnson's vetoes weren't overridden.

Which of the following statements best explains a general trend in the presidential use of the veto over time as shown in the graph above?

• Presidents who had party majorities in the House and Senate less frequently had their vetoes overridden.

• The use of presidential vetoes has lessened over time.

• Vetoes decreased during times of economic prosperity.

• Vetoes were infrequent until after the Civil War where their use greatly increased.

Which of the following explains why presidents often prefer executive agreements over treaties?

• Executive agreements are less formal and are easy to modify.

• There is no need for House approval.

• They lack the Senate’s “advice and consent” ratification.

• The courts have no authority to rule executive agreements unconstitutional.

What best describes how Nixon views the role of presidential staff?

• Presidential staffers operate independently of the president.

• The president, not the staff, is assigned executive powers.

• Presidential staffers are an extension of the presidency.

• Presidential staffers don't know enough about executive powers to be questioned.

The President may serve how many terms and how long are they?

• 4 terms for 6 years each
• 2 terms of 8 years each
• 1 term for 4 years
• 2 terms of 4 years each

As Chief Legislator the president may do all of the following except

• Address Congress to promote his agenda
• Propose legislation to be taken up by Congress
• Sign executive orders
• Make laws by himself