Chapter 14: The Presidency
This is the multiple choice quiz to test your knowledge about the presidency.
- 1.
Why is it more difficult for an American president to get his program enacted in comparison with a prime minister in a parliamentary system?
- A.
Because of divided government, when one or both houses of Congress differ from the president's political party
- B.
Because the president has fewer constitutional powers than a prime minister
- C.
Because the president has less control over the cabinet than a prime minister
- D.
Because prime ministers can enact their programs without the approval of parliament
- E.
Because the Supreme Court in the United States frequently uses judicial review to overturn presidential programs
Correct Answer
A. Because of divided government, when one or both houses of Congress differ from the president's political partyExplanation
Divided government occurs when at least one house of congress differs from teh political party of the president. This makes it difficult for a president to get his programs passed. In parliamentary systems, the prime minister is a member ofthe biggest party in parliament, and divided government does not occur.Rate this question:
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- 2.
All of the following are features of the electoral college system EXCEPT
- A.
There is a winner-take-all system in 48 states
- B.
If no one wins a majority of electoral college votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives
- C.
When the House of Representatives decides an election, each member only has one vote
- D.
State electoral ballots are opened and counted before a joint session of Congress
- E.
Occasionally an elector will vote for a presidential candidate other than the one who carried his or her state
Correct Answer
C. When the House of Representatives decides an election, each member only has one voteExplanation
Each state's vote is allotted to the candidate preferred by a majority of the state's House delegbation. Each state has one vote in the event the House of Representatives decides a presidential election.Rate this question:
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- 3.
President Cleveland used federal troops to break up a labor strike, and President Eisenhower sent federal troops to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Which clause fothe Constitution gave them this power?
- A.
Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces
- B.
Convene Congress ins special sessions
- C.
Commission officers in the armed forces
- D.
Take care that the laws be faithfully executed
- E.
Wield the "executive power"
Correct Answer
D. Take care that the laws be faithfully executedExplanation
The president's duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" has become one of the most elastic phrases in the Constitution. Both Cleveland and Eisenhowe interpreted this broadly in deploying federal troops.Rate this question:
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- 4.
One of the criticisms of President Carter was that he was so involved with the minor details of policies that he couldn't see the forest for the trees. How did the President Carter structure his White House staff?
- A.
Ad hoc
- B.
Circular
- C.
Bureaucratic
- D.
Pyramid
- E.
Business model
Correct Answer
B. CircularExplanation
Carter used a circular, or wheel-and-spokes, model. Whiel this model guarantees openness to many sources of advice, it makes it difficult to manage the complexities of the government.Rate this question:
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- 5.
How are cabinet secretaries and the attorney general selected?
- A.
The president appoints cabient secretaries and the attorney general, subject to Senate confirmation, and they serve at his will
- B.
THe president usually retains his predecessor's cabient secretaries and attorney general
- C.
THe president appoints cabient secretaries and the attorney general for fixed fourteen-year terms of office
- D.
Cabinet secretaries and the attorney general are appointed by the presidnet and can be removed by Congress at will.
- E.
The president appoints cabient secretaries and the attorney general, and they must resign at end of the presidential term.
Correct Answer
A. The president appoints cabient secretaries and the attorney general, subject to Senate confirmation, and they serve at his willExplanation
Cabinet officers are the heads of the fifteen major executive departments. The attorney general runs the Jusitce Department. Upon taking office, presidnets can apoint all new cabinet heads and a new attorney general. Sometimes they retain some ofteh existing cabient secretaries. They serve at the will of the president.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the president's power to get his programs enacted?
- A.
Presidents often rule by decree and executive order; as a result, much of their program becomes law
- B.
Presidents oftne have a majority of both houses of Congress; as a result, many of their proposals are adopted
- C.
The president must rely heavily on persuasion to get things done
- D.
Because the president can always call a press conference, he often uses the media to his advantage to get his program passed
- E.
The president has more power to get things done in the second half ofh is term because by then he has established himself in office
Correct Answer
C. The president must rely heavily on persuasion to get things doneExplanation
Because the constitutional powers of the president are sketchy, he must rely predominatnly on persuasion, rather than power, to get things done.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which of the following had a negative impact on presidential approval ratings?I. the poor economy during George H. W. Bush's administartionII. the impeachment proceedings against ClintonIII. the Vietnam War during the Johnson administationIV. the Watergate investigation during the Nixon administration
- A.
I and II
- B.
I, II, and III
- C.
II, III, and IV
- D.
I, III, and IV
- E.
I and IV
Correct Answer
D. I, III, and IVExplanation
The poor economy, the Vietnam War, and Watergate caused presidential approvals ratings to drop. On the other hand, Clinton's approval ratings actually went up during his impeachment.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Happens to a bill that is not signed or vetoed within ten days while Congress is still in session?
- A.
It becomes law automatically, without hte president's approval
- B.
It is "pocket vetoed" and does not become law
- C.
It becomes law as soon as Congress adjourns; until then, the president may veto it
- D.
It is held over until the next session of Congress
- E.
It becomes law if 60 percent of both houses of Congress approve it.
Correct Answer
A. It becomes law automatically, without hte president's approvalExplanation
A bill that is not signed by the president within ten days while Congress is in session automatically becomes law. If Congress adjourns within ten days, the bill is "pocket vetoed".Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Dec 21, 2010Quiz Created by
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