Chapter 11 : President

Central Clearance

The OMB's authority to review and "clear" (or approve) anything a member of the administration says or does in public.

Chief of Staff

The individual responsible for managing the president's office.

Civil Servants

Members of the permanent executive branch bureaucracy who are employed on the basis of competitive exams and keep their positions regardless of the presidential administration.

Delegated Powers

National government powers listed explicitly in the Constitution.

Executive Agreement

An international agreement made by the president that does not require the approval of the Senate.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The agencies that help the president manage daily activities.

Executive Order

A presidential declaration, with the force of law, that issues instructions to the executive branch without any requirement for congressional action or approval.

Executive Privilege

Power claimed by the president to resist requests for authority by Congress, the courts, or the public. Not mentioned in the Constitution but based on the separation of powers.

Expressed powers of the Presidency

Powers the Constitution explicitly grants to the president.

Going Public

Directly addressing the public to win support for oneself or one's ideas.

Imperial Presidency

A characterization of the American presidency that suggests it is demonstrating imperial traits, and that the republic is morphing into an empire.

Inherent Powers

Powers neither specified nor implied by the Constitution but judged necessary for the president or Congress to fulfill their duties.

Override

The process by which Congress can overcome a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Political Appointees

Top officials in the executive agencies appointed by the president.

Political Order

The set of institutions, interests, and ideas that shape a political era. Great presidents reconstruct the framework, launching a new order.

Signing Statements

Written presidential declarations commenting on the bill that is being signed into law—often including criticism of one or more provisions.

Unitary Executive Theory

The idea that the Constitution puts the president in charge of executing the laws and that therefore no other branch may limit presidential discretion over executive matters.

Veto

The constitutional procedure by which a president can prevent enactment of legislation passed by Congress.