320 CHAPTER 10|THE PRESIDENCY
- For most presidents, the problem with going public
is that __.
a) the public is more focused on Congress
b) they are not very persuasive
c) they energize their opponents
d) they generally address unimportant issues
e) they do not reach their target audience
S PRACTICE ONLINE
“What Do Political Scientists Do?” video exercise: Ken
Mayer on presidential power and executive ordersTHE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
E Explain how the Executive Offi ce of the President (EOP), the vice president,
and the Cabinet help the president. Pages 311–14
SUMMARY
The executive branch is a huge, complex organization that
helps the president exercise vast responsibilities. Presi-
dential appointments to the branch serve as eyes and ears
on the bureaucracy. Most positions turn over with new
administrations.
KEY TERMS
Executive Offi ce of the President (EOP) (p. 311)
Cabinet (p. 313)
CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCUSSION
Why might bureaucrats who are not presidential appoin-
tees be more responsive to congressional mandates and
demands than to the president’s orders, even though the
president heads the executive branch?
PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS- In most presidential appointments to EOP positions,
presidents generally emphasize __.
a) experience
b) expertise
c) eff ectiveness
d) public opinion
e) loyalty - Recent vice presidents have had __ offi cial
duties and/but __ been infl uential in their
role.
a) no; have not
b) limited; have
c) limited; have not
d) extensive; have
e) extensive; have not
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE PRESIDENT
E Explain how Americans evaluate presidents. Pages 314–16
SUMMARY
Presidential popularity is critical for presidents to get re-
elected and enact their policy proposals. Nonetheless, pres-
idential popularity itself is aff ected by factors that may not
actually be infl uenced by the president himself.
CRITICAL THINKING AND DISCUSSION
Why do you think Americans often hold the president more
accountable than Congress for the state of the economy?
PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS
- Most Americans want a president who is
__; while few Americans want a president
who is _____.
a) consistent; decisive
b) consistent; politically savvy
c) politically savvy; decisive
d) politically savvy; consistent
e) decisive; consistent- Presidential approval is generally based on
__.
a) policy outcomes
b) policy positions
c) presidential actions
d) presidential appointments
e) an absence of scandals
320 CHAPTER 10|THE PRESIDENCY