Essay 13 2008_2

2008-2)A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.

-The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.

-Choose two of the following. Define each term and explain how each limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress.

*Mandatory spending

*Party polarization

*Lame-duck period

 

Party polarization is an increase in interparty differences. This can limit the president's ability to influence domestic policy because the opposing party may try to block policy goals.

The lame-duck period is the time in which the president is almost out of office. This period hurts the president's efforts to influence domestic policy because congress is less responsive to the president and people are preparing for a new president to take office. 

 

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap08_us_gopo_q2.pdf