Unit 2B Part A Vocab Flashcards
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
Electoral college
A state where the two parties have similar levels of support among voters, important in determining the overall result of a presidential election
Swing state
After a landslide victory, presidents often declare that the people have spoken in favor of their policy agenda
Mandate
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
Bully pulpit
Nationally broadcast speech to Congress where the president lays out his/her policy agenda for the coming year
State of the Union Address
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
Honeymoon period
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
Lame Duck Period
The president’s closest advisors, speech writers, etc. who do not need to be confirmed by the Senate; very loyal to the president
White House Staff
The heads (ie. CEOs) of the 15 executive departments within the executive branch; their loyalty is divided between the president and their department
Cabinet
Head of the US Department of Justice; top legal officer representing the US
Attorney General
Informal powers that the president claims based on the need to execute the laws
Inherent Powers
The president threatens to veto a bill as a strategy to persuade Congress to modify a bill in the president’s favor
Veto Bargin
The president (a civilian) has supreme authority over the entire military
Commander in Chief
A rule or command issued by the president to rest of the executive branch and having the force of law
Executive Order
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
Signing Statement
The president or executive agency may withhold information (keep it secret) to protect national security; upheld in US v. Reynolds
Executive Privilege
A deal made between the president and leader of another country; less formal than a treaty and does not need Senate ratification
Executive Agreement
The nation’s policies and strategy in dealing with other nations, including trade, diplomacy, and war
Foreign Policy/Foreign Affairs
The official representative of the US Government to another country
Ambassador
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
War Powers Resolution of 1973
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]
Federalist Number 70
Presidents may only serve two terms (term limits)
22nd Amendment
