Chapter 10 Notes: Everett Watters x200905164
Cabinet: the secretaries, or chief administers if the major departments of the federal
government. Cabinet secretaries are appointed by the president with the consent of
the Senate.
Commander in Chief: the power of the president as the commander of the national
military and the state national guards units (when called into service)
Delegated Powers: constitutional powers that are assigned to one governmental
agency but that are exercised by another agency but that are exercised by another
agency with the express permission of the first.
Executive Agreement: an agreement, made between the president and another
country, that has the force of a treaty but does not require the Senate’s advice and
consent
Executive Office of the President (EOP): the permanent agencies that perform
defined management tasks for the president. Created in 1939, the EOP includes the
Office Management and Budget, the Counsel of Economic Advisors, the National
Security Council and other agencies
Executive Order: a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect and
formal status of legislation
Expressed Powers: specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution
Inherent Powers: powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the
Constitution but are not inferred in it
Kitchen Cabinet: an informal group of advisors to whom the president turns for
counsel and guidance. Members of the official Cabinet may or may not be in the
Kitchen Cabinet
Legislative Initiative: the president’s inherent power to bring a legislative agenda
before Congress.
Pocket Veto: a veto that occurs when the president does not signed a passed bill
within ten days of receiving it, and congress has adjourned
Signing Statement: an announcement made by the president when signing bills
into law, often presenting the presidents interpretation of the law
Veto: the president’s constitutional power to turn down a law. A presidential veto
may be overridden by a two thirds vote of each house of congress
War Powers Resolution: a resolution of Congress that the president can send
troops into action abroad only by authorization of Congress or if American troops
are already under attack or serious threat
White House Staff: analysts and advisors to the president, often given the title
“special assistant”
Notes:
-Pres is Commander in Chief, he can send troops, supplies, etc. but NOT Declare War,
Congress has the power to do so (last time War declared, 1941), as when it was
designed at the signing of the Constitution, it (congress) was intended to be the
most powerful branch
-The President has gained more power over the years by the implementation,
formation and ability to plan and propose legislation (He sets the Legislative agenda
for parliament/the house)
Executive Branch/ Office of Pres.
Parliamentary:
-P.M. Head of State
-PM & Cabinet part of Parlia.
Semi-Pres:
-Pres Head of State
-PM Head of Gov
Presidential:
-Pres Head of State
& Head of Gov
-Clear sep. of Exec &
Legislative Branches
Congress was created to be most powerful branch of gov. at the time it was
formed…power has shifted over time to the Pres & Exec
-Delegated Powers: Ex: FDR & Congress create new Federal Agencies
-Expressed Powers: C.i.C….Control of Military & Dept of DefenceSend Troops
War Powers Resolution: After Nixon in Vietnam (1973), Pres can send troops (Green
Berets in this case), but if Congress doesn’t approve troops must be withdrawn in
(60 or 90 days?)
-Congress can control allocation of Funds/$$ which is how they use Checks &
Balances in wartimes or militaristic action
-Ex: Charlie Wilson War…..as well as and more specifically with Vietnam
if congress isn’t happy with Pres.’ Actions, they cut funding or tighten
spending to control what the Pres can or can’t do with military (or any other)
spending
*How does the Exec Branch “do what they do”/ follow out and enact their jobs.
*What kind of powers does the Pres have and how are they executed?
1. Expressed Powers: -appts Ambassadors
-signs Treaties (Congres has Advise and Consent role)
-Legitimize a foreign nation and its leaders (ie: Georgian Rebellion, ’06 or ‘08ish?)
Executive Agreement: a contract between 2 countries, essentially signing a Treaty, it
has the same effective for, however does not require the Senates/Congres’ advise &
consent role.
Judicial Function: can grant pardons and amnesties
2. Inherent Powers: - ones which are not expressed in the constitution. Similar to
Congress’ Implied Powers. Pres have argued that in order to do their job, these
powers that aren’t explicitly or specifically listed in the Const. are there (hidden,
unwritten) so they can actually use their (other and) Expressed Powers
-should be able to articulate that we have seen shifts in delegated powers from
Congress to the Pres/Exec over time. types of federalism, shift from state to fed
power?
 Some say that there is an overall trend that Congress has continuously over time
relegated more and more powers over to the pres
Cabinet Politics:
Pres cabinet has no constitutional status.
-Pres does not always have to listen. Will sometimes go to his closest
advisors or Kitchen Cabinet
Saying: “The Cabinet is distant from the Pres” yet at the same time so close and
personal
-Cab Politics: Can be a way to ensure your rivals are put and kept in check by
keeping them close to you (can be from your own or opposing party) so that you can
listen, control, manipulate or ignore their decisions and input
-this can backfire as Pres may get in trouble for the subordinate’s (rival or friendly)
cabinet members ideas (mainly ones from their enemies) Ex: Bush & Dick Chaney
-you can essentially sideline your enemy in the cabinet but not making trouble
outside the “Big 10”, by making sure they are in a position (Head of _____) that will
not impact your own power to much
Marginalization: keep your opponent in check by appointing them a lowly or weaker
cabinet position