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Article Evaluation

Evaluation of the article Executive agreement

Specifically the sub section "In the United States"

The article is very succinct and there is no information in it that is distracting. The article is written from a neutral viewpoint. They say nothing in favor, or against the use of executive agreements. However, it is lacking information that could be added. For example, the article does not give many examples of an executive agreement such as NAFTA. A description of NAFTA or another executive agreement could enhance the quality if the article. The article also does not fully explain why executive agreements are preferred by the president over treaty making because it mentions the lengthy process of establishing a treaty, but does not go far enough to say that the executive agreements are substantially quicker and easier. It also could include how often they are used.

There are only two references made in the whole article and one is from a .com site with little information on it and no traceable author or date. The other reference is a valid source that can be traced back to a book, author and publishing date. Their highlighted words that are embedded with definitions throughout the article are helpful for explaining the terms that they use relating to the executive agreements.

The article is classified as a Wikipedia Project and has four related wikiprojects associated with it. There is only one comment on the talk page from 2004.

Evaluate an Article

Implied Powers

The only things that were mentioned as examples were the creation of the First and Second National Banks of the United State, therefore there could be much to add for examples of implied powers of both congress and the president. Sources would be easily located for this task.

Executive Agreement

This is the article that is reviewed above. It would be a good one to add information to because it does not provide very much information on the United States specifically and there is not much of a talk page meaning it has not been edited a lot and it is definitely not a controversial topic. It would be useful to add a few more examples of executive agreements and emphasize why they are important.

Presidential Precedents/ Traditions

There is not a specific page dedicated to presidential traditions but there is a page dedicated to traditions of the United States senate. It might be able to be worked into another page, but it seems to be its own topic. This could include topics such as the president placing their hand on a Bible at inauguration or more broad traditions such as only serving two terms in office or choosing cabinet members that were both established by George Washington.

Practice Addition to "Legacy of George Washington"

Sub-heading:

Presidential Precedents

As the first President of the United States, George Washington developed lasting traditions that helped shape the role of the executive branch. Washington knew he needed to establish an effective executive role, but also understood the importance of the sovereignty of the individual and limited government. It was highly important to himself and the nation that the executive bear no resemblance to a Monarchy. The Constitution was created for such purpose and divided the power of government into the three distinct branches. Article II of the Unites States Constitution outlines the powers of the executive branch, but is written with ambiguity. Therefore, Washington had to forge the institution necessary to carry out the president's constitutional powers. In doing so, precedents emerged that are notable to this day.

George Washington impacted the role of the presidency from his inauguration to his retirement. From the beginning, Washington did not want to resemble a king or be referred to as one. He preferred the title "Mr. President," which is how presidents are still addressed to this day. Washington also shaped the inauguration process. As Washington was sworn in during his oath of office, he placed his right hand upon the Bible. This is not required, but for the majority of presidents became tradition.

On January 8th of 1790, Washington gave his First Inaugural Address to a joint session of congress. Now known as the State of the Union address, it established a platform to implement article 2 section 3 of the Constitution which states the president, "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient". Presidents ever since have given State of the Union Addresses to Congress once a year following their first term in office.

The president's cabinet and the selection of cabinet members is also not explicitly stated in the Constitution. Washington understood the importance of receiving counsel and thus established the practice of appointing secretaries of the Executive Departments. Article II Section 2 of the Constitution gives him the power to do so and states the President, "with the advice and consent of the senate... shall appoint... all other officers of the United States."

By serving for just eight years, Washington showed that it is acceptable and honorable for a president to step down after two terms in office. This was common practice by all presidents thereafter with the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt who served four terms in office. The twenty second amendment of the United States Constitution ratified in 1951, set the term limit to two years maximum for all future presidents, thus transforming the tradition into law. George Washington gracefully stepped down from the presidency and assured a smooth transition between his administration and the incoming administration of John Adams. He refused to run for another term and proved that the president can willingly step down from his position and trust the democratic voting process to select the next president.