Understanding Congress and the Presidency

Flashcards covering key concepts discussed in the lecture related to Congressional and Presidential dynamics.

Mayhew’s Electoral Connection

Concept describing how members of Congress focus on advertising, credit claiming, and position taking to get re-elected.

Advertising

The activity of promoting oneself as a candidate, focusing on personal identity to relate to constituents.

Credit claiming

The act of presenting oneself as responsible for delivering specific benefits to constituents.

Position taking

Expressing explicit preferences on policy issues to assure constituents of one’s stance.

Mandate

The authority granted by voters to act on their behalf, often portrayed by presidents after elections.

Showhorses

Politicians who seek media attention and publicity.

Workhorses

Members of Congress who work behind the scenes to accomplish legislative goals.

Coalitions

Groups formed to achieve common legislative goals, often through building alliances.

Going Public

A strategy where presidents promote their policies directly to the public to gain support.

Public Backlash

Negative reactions from the public that politicians may fear, potentially influencing their decisions.

Kernell’s Going Public

The concept that presidents engage in public visibility and use media as a weapon for political leverage.

Presidential Coverage

How media shapes and reacts to a president's messages and actions, influencing public perception.

Approval Ratings

Poll results indicating how much the public supports or disapproves of the president's performance.

Supreme Court Approval

Public perception of the Supreme Court's performance as measured in surveys.

Media Output on the Court

The ratio of Supreme Court cases receiving television attention and detailed analysis.

Pros and Cons of Learning From Scripted Television

Television shows can enhance legal understanding and confidence but may misrepresent legal processes.