Unit 2B Part A Vocab

Question 1

System, created in the Constitution, used to officially elect the president and vice president; each state is awarded votes based on their total number of senators and representatives

Answer 1

Electoral college

Question 2

A state where the two parties have similar levels of support among voters, important in determining the overall result of a presidential election

Answer 2

Swing state

Question 3

After a landslide victory, presidents often declare that the people have spoken in favor of their policy agenda

Answer 3

Mandate

Question 4

The president uses the media to go “over the heads of Congress” and directly to the American people, urging them to pressure Congress to comply with the president’s policy agenda

Answer 4

Bully pulpit

Question 5

Nationally broadcast speech to Congress where the president lays out his/her policy agenda for the coming year

Answer 5

State of the Union Address

Question 6

The beginning of a president’s term (right after election) when she/he is still very popular and, as a result, powerful terms of pushing a policy-agenda

Answer 6

Honeymoon period

Question 7

The end of a president’s term (lasting a few months to a couple years) where a president is very weak and unable to successfully push for his/her policy-agenda

Answer 7

Lame Duck Period

Question 8

The president’s closest advisors, speech writers, etc. who do not need to be confirmed by the Senate; very loyal to the president

Answer 8

White House Staff

Question 9

The heads (ie. CEOs) of the 15 executive departments within the executive branch; their loyalty is divided between the president and their department

Answer 9

Cabinet

Question 10

Head of the US Department of Justice; top legal officer representing the US

Answer 10

Attorney General

Question 11

Informal powers that the president claims based on the need to execute the laws

Answer 11

Inherent Powers

Question 12

The president threatens to veto a bill as a strategy to persuade Congress to modify a bill in the president’s favor

Answer 12

Veto Bargin

Question 13

The president (a civilian) has supreme authority over the entire military

Answer 13

Commander in Chief

Question 14

A rule or command issued by the president to rest of the executive branch and having the force of law

Answer 14

Executive Order

Question 15

A document that explains a president’s view of a bill; attached to the bill at signing; controversially used to not enforce certain parts of bills

Answer 15

Signing Statement

Question 16

The president or executive agency may withhold information (keep it secret) to protect national security; upheld in US v. Reynolds

Answer 16

Executive Privilege

Question 17

A deal made between the president and leader of another country; less formal than a treaty and does not need Senate ratification

Answer 17

Executive Agreement

Question 18

The nation’s policies and strategy in dealing with other nations, including trade, diplomacy, and war

Answer 18

Foreign Policy/Foreign Affairs

Question 19

The official representative of the US Government to another country

Answer 19

Ambassador

Question 20

Requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days (with a further 30 day withdrawal period) without approval from Congress

Answer 20

War Powers Resolution of 1973

Question 21

Hamilton argued for a unitary executive (one person – not a counsel) to lead the executive branch for both “energy and safety” [good government, efficiency, and national security]

Answer 21

Federalist Number 70

Question 22

Presidents may only serve two terms (term limits)

Answer 22

22nd Amendment