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- 1. Multiple Choice
Which of the following situations is an example of the president using the bully pulpit as a tool for
agenda setting?
President Reagan delivering a televised address urging a reduction in federal taxes
President Clinton invoking executive privilege in resisting a subpoena by the United States Senate
during the Whitewater investigation
President Obama issuing an executive order delaying the deportation of at least five million
undocumented immigrants
President Bush issuing a signing statement in the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 that considerably
weakened its provisions
- 2. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of the executive branch implementing a public policy passed
by Congress?
Congress passes a law reorganizing the structure of the federal bureaucracy.
The Department of Health and Human Services determines eligibility requirements for government
assistance.
As chief diplomat, the president negotiates a treaty that is then ratified by the Senate.
A Federal Trade Commission official is asked to testify before Congress about the agency’s
activities.
- 3. Multiple Choice
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential
supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and
the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary
Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of
doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty
and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the
unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional
order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it
overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an
equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity.
Which of the following statements is a correct implication of the author's argument?
The modern president has abused the power of the executive branch through the use of the bully
pulpit.
Federal courts play a substantial role in the American political system, but they have been unable to
check the executive.
The perception of multiple crises has led to the growth of an executive branch that is undermining
the separation of powers in the government.
The Constitution has failed to protect the separation of powers by giving the executive branch and
the president too much power.
- 4. Multiple Choice
In the last years presidential primacy, so indispensable to the political order, has turned into presidential
supremacy. The constitutional Presidency—as events so apparently disparate as the Indochina War and
the Watergate affair showed, has become the imperial Presidency and threatens to be the revolutionary
Presidency. . . . The imperial Presidency was essentially the creation of foreign policy. A combination of
doctrines and emotions—belief in the permanent and universal crisis, fear of communism, faith in the duty
and right of the United States to intervene swiftly in every part of the world—had brought about the
unprecedented centralization of decisions. Prolonged war in Vietnam strengthened the tendencies toward both centralization and exclusion. So the imperial Presidency grew at the expense of the constitutional
order. Like the cowbird, it hatched its own eggs and pushed the others out of the nest. And, as it
overwhelmed the traditional separation of powers in foreign affairs, it began to aspire toward an
equivalent centralization of power in the domestic polity
Based on the passage above, which of the following constitutional provisions would the author
most likely identify as a solution to the problem of the imperial presidency?
Congress creating term limits for all members of government
The president making stronger use of bureaucratic discretion
Congress exercising the power to regulate commerce
Congress insisting that it declare war prior to the use of international force
- 5. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the text by Schlesinger and The Federalist 70? (the reading in question 3 and 4)
While Schlesinger views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, The Federalist 70
views it as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness.
While The Federalist 70 views centralization of power in the presidency as dangerous, Schlesinger
views it as vital to the presidency’s effectiveness.
Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as
dangerous.
Both Schlesinger and The Federalist 70 view centralization of power in the presidency as vital to the
presidency’s effectiveness.
- 6. Multiple Choice
Which of the following situations best reflects the author’s concern about an “imperial” presidency? (the reading from question 3 and 4)
The Senate ratifying treaties without executive approval
Congress declaring war independent of the president
The president issuing an increasing number of executive agreements
The president appointing a new secretary of education
- 7. Multiple Choice
In The Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton states that “energy in the executive is a leading character
in the definition of good government.” In this statement, Hamilton is arguing in favor of the need for
a single executive who can respond quickly to crises
a president who has a good understanding of public policy
an electoral college in the selection of the president
a president who is youthful and assertive
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements reflects a pattern in the line graph?
Nixon had the highest approval ratings of any president in the graph.
Most presidents exit office with lower approval ratings than when they entered office.
Most presidents begin their term with approval ratings lower than 50%.
Eisenhower had the lowest approval ratings of any president in the graph.
- 9. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is most accurately supported by the data in the table?
President Clinton greatly reduced the use of presidential signing statements compared with his
predecessors.
While President George W. Bush issued fewer signing statements than President Clinton, his
included more objections than President Clinton’s.
President Clinton’s brief access to the power of the line-item veto allowed him to issue fewer signing
statements that raised concerns about legislation.
President George W. Bush was forced to issue more signing statements as a direct result of the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which of the following accurately compares the formal and informal powers of the president?
Formal Power
Vetoing legislation to prevent a bill from becoming a law
Informal Power
Using a pocket veto to prevent a bill from becoming law
Formal Power
Using the bully pulpit to influence public opinion
informal power
appointing ambassadors and receiving diplomats from other nations
Formal Power
Acting as commander in chief of the military
Informal
signing executive agreements with foreign nations
Formal Power
Using the power of the purse to support government programs
Informal Power
Using signing statements to shape legislation
- 11. Multiple Choice
Which of the following accurately compares the powers of Congress and the president?
Congressional Control
Judicial appointments
President Has Greater Control
Foreign policy
Congress Has Greater Control
Budgetary policy
President Has Greater Control
Cabinet appointments
Congress Has Greater Control
The bureaucracy
President Has Greater Control
Fiscal policy
Congress Has Greater Control
Military leadership
President Has Greater Control
Foreign treaties
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