Civics Test – Flashcards

Article _____ of the US Constitution describes the powers of the president. B) II (Second) Answer: Article II of the U.S. Constitution describes the powers of the president.

A candidate for the president must be _____. C) at least 35 years old Answer: The Constitution dictates that the president must be at least 35 years old.

A political party's presidential candidate is selected by _____. A) delegates at the party's national convention Answer: A political party's presidential candidate is selected by delegates at the party's national convention. The delegates are chosen in primary elections or in state caucuses earlier in the presidential election year.

Presidents are elected _____. B) indirectly, by the Electoral College Answer: Presidents are elected indirectly, by the Electoral College. People voting for president are actually casting their votes for electors who are pledged to that particular candidate.

The process by which a president is removed from office starts with _____. D) impeachment Answer: The process by which a president is removed from office starts with impeachment. A president can be removed from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors," according to Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution.

Which of the following presidential powers is NOT found in the Constitution? C) leadership of a political party Answer: The president's power as the leader of his political party is NOT found in the Constitution. Since the Constitution does not mention political parties at all, the president's role as leader of his political party cannot be a constitutional power.

Federal judges, executive officers, and ambassadors are all apointed by the president, subject to the confirmation of _____. C) the Senate Answer: Federal judges, executive officers, and ambassadors are all appointed by the president and subject to the confirmation of the Senate. The Senate's power of confirmation is a constitutional check on the president's power of appointment.

As chief diplomat, the president can _____. D) all of the above Answer: As chief diplomat, the president can do all of the following: recognize new governments, enter into executive agreements, and negotiate treaties. The president is uniquely situated to direct the foreign policy decisions that the United States makes and enjoys more control in this area than in the domestic arena.

Besides the president, who is the only nationally elected leader in the United States? A) the vice-president Answer: Besides the president, the only nationally elected leader in the United States is the vice-president. Neither the First Lady, nor the Chief Justice are elected. The Speaker of the House is directly elected to Congress by his or her district, and becomes Speaker only after being elected by his or her party, assuming it controls the majority in the House of Representatives.

Article II, Section 3 states that the president "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully excuted." This is the constitutional basis for the president's role as _____. B) chief excutive Answer: The clause in Article II, Section 3 is the constitutional basis for the president's role as chief executive. The president is responsible for the enforcement of all federal laws (not just criminal laws, but also regulatory laws and spending programs), and has many executive departments and agencies at his disposal for this purpose.

The federal bureaucracy is part of which branch of the government? A) executive branch Answer: The federal bureaucracy is part of the executive branch of the government. The Constitution gives the executive branch the responsibility to carry out federal laws. The president is the chief official in the executive branch, and the bureaucracy's power is derived from that office.

To implement legislation means to _____. C) put it into effect and enforce it Answer: To implement legislation means to put it into effect and enforce it. Bureaucratic agencies develop regulations to be followed and inform the public of these rules. They also develop procedures for dealing with those who violate the regulations.

Which of the following groups does the president most rely upon for advice? B) Executice Office of the President Answer: The president most relies upon the Executive Office of the President for advice. Cabinet members, while appointed by the president, are likely to have to take other interests besides his into account. State governors are not likely to know as much about national issues as they do about state ones. The Congressional Budget Office is relied upon by members of Congress, not by the president.

The president and Congress differ in their _____. D) all of the above Answer: The president and Congress differ in all of these respects: their constituencies, election cycles, and constitutional powers. Members of the House of Representatives are elected in districts for two-year terms. Senators are elected by the entire state for six-year terms. The entire country elects the president for a four-year term. Congress and the president also have different powers, as spelled out in Article I and Article II of the Constitution respectively.

Which of the following presidential powers is a check on the authoritu of the judiciary? C) power to pardon Answer: The power to pardon is a presidential check on the authority of the judiciary. The president may grant pardons to all persons accused or convicted of federal crimes except that the president cannot undo a removal from office resulting from impeachment. A further presidential check on the judiciary is the power to appoint all judges to the federal bench.

Which of the following people would not be abe to run for president under the Constitution? B) the governor of Hawaii, born in Japan Answer: The governor of Hawaii, born in Japan would NOT be able to run for president under the Constitution. Article II, Section 1 says, "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of the President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

How does the Constitution limit presidential power? C) both A and B Answer: The Constitution limits presidential power both by making the president share functions like law making with Congress, and by requiring the president get approval for appointments to the courts. Uncertainty over the limits to presidential power is caused primarily by the fact that the constitutional definition of those powers is broad and unspecific. While the Constitution lays out some of the president's duties, and indicates certain limits on his powers, much remains very vague. It is not clear, for example, just how much additional power a president can claim on the basis of Article II's vesting of "the executive power" in the president. Accordingly, presidents are often left to define for themselves the limits of their powers under the broad headings of "commander-in-chief" and so on.

The strongest voice in shaping foreign policy belongs to _____. D) the president Answer: The strongest voice in shaping foreign policy belongs to the president. Especially when compared with domestic policy, Congress and interest groups have a relatively smaller role in making foreign and military policy than does the president. This is because the expertise required in making foreign and military policy is different, and the president has institutional advantages.

When the president is managing the federal bureaucracy and its many programs and employees, he is acting as _____. B) chief executive Answer: When the president is managing the federal bureaucracy and its many programs and employees, he is acting as chief executive. The Constitution says that "the executive power shall be vested in a president." Some analysts believe that this statement adds nothing to presidential power beyond the specific powers granted to the president, but most presidents have taken this clause to mean they have authority beyond that which is specifically granted -- the authority inherent in the executive branch of any government, whether specified or not.

In recent years, presidents have come to rely most heavily on the advice of _____. C) the Executive Office of the President Answer: In recent years, presidents have come to rely most heavily on the advice of the White House staff. The White House staff consists of the president's closest advisors, often including those who have accompanied him throughout much of his political career. For example, during President Clinton's first term, he chose his long-time friend Thomas McLarty as chief of staff and his campaign chairman, Mickey Kantor, as U.S. trade representative. President George W. Bush's most trusted advisors are Karl Rove and Karen Hughes, who have been with him since his days in the Texas governor's mansion.

A president might persuade Congress to pass a certain bill by _____. A) threating to veto other bills Congress is eager to see enacted Answer: A president might persuade Congress to pass a certain bill by threatening to veto other bills Congress is eager to see enacted. The Supreme Court has no voice in the legislative process, and can only rule on a law's constitutionality after the fact.

Among the executive branch's checks on the legislative branch is the president's power to _____. A) veto bills that have been passed by both House and Senate Answer: Among the executive branch's checks on the legislative branch is the president's power to veto bills that have been passed by both House and Senate. This is a well-known example of an executive check on the legislature.

Which of the following officeholders could a president NOT dismiss? A) a federal court of appeals judge Answer: A president CAN NOT dismiss a federal court of appeals judge. While a federal judge is appointed by the president, as are the Secretary of State and the director of the CIA, the appointment is for "good behavior." In essence, this amounts to a life term, unless the judge is impeached.

Executive enforment of judicial rulings can be considered an example of _____. A) checks and balances Answer: Executive enforcement of judicial rulings can be considered an example of checks and balances. The Constitution implies that the president should carry out and enforce court decisions, even when he disagrees with those rulings. In 1831, however, Andrew Jackson directly challenged this requirement. When he opposed a Supreme Court decision that would have returned Cherokee Indian lands to that tribe, President Jackson refused to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling. The Cherokees lost their land and were forced to make a long march west to Oklahoma, on what came to be known as the "Trail of Tears." By the 20th century, however, it was much more difficult for presidents to defy or refuse to enforce Supreme Court decisions.

Under which of the following circumstances does a president ususally experience a reduction of political power? B) the economy is doing poorly, with high unemploymet rates Answer: A president usually experiences a reduction of political power when the economy is doing poorly, with high unemployment rates. Even though the president has relatively little control over the nation's economy, he is likely to be given credit for its good performance, and to be blamed for its poor performance. This is especially the case if, like President George H.W. Bush, he appears to be out of touch with the public mood and indifferent to what is occurring. President George H.W. Bush's public opinion rating was at about 90% when the U.S. quickly won the Gulf War against Iraq, but less than two years later he was defeated for re-election when the American economy began to weaken. President Clinton, by contrast, reaped the benefits of the longest peacetime expansion of the economy, holding high approval ratings in public opinion polls, even during a scandal that resulted in his impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Eligible voters can vote for all of the following, EXCEPT _____. C) president and vice-president Answer: People voting for president are actually casting their votes for electors who are pledged to that particular candidate. Presidents are elected indirectly, by the Electoral College. The state legislatures determine how electors in their states will be selected, but they cannot elect a president themselves. Congress does not elect the president either, since the U.S. does not have a parliamentary system.