Question 11 • 670401 American Studies S1 – MYERS, JOSHUA A
Read the quote from President Theodore Roosevelt’s autobiography.My view was that every executive officer . . . was a steward of the people. . . . I declined to adopt the view that what was imperatively necessary for the nation could not be done by the president unless he could find some specific authorization to do so.
Answer
A
Presidents should act only if the Constitution specifically authorizes it.
B
Presidents should follow the lead of Congress.
C
Presidents are bound by the Constitution, not by the needs of the people.
D
Presidential power can extend beyond the Constitution when it is best for the nation.
Explanation
Roosevelt says the president is a “steward of the people” and need not wait for specific authorization when an action is imperatively necessary for the nation. This reflects his view that presidential power can extend beyond powers specifically stated in the Constitution when serving the national interest. Therefore, the correct choice is “Presidential power can extend beyond the Constitution when it is best for the nation.”
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