Chapter 7: Pres. - Conventional Wisdom Redefined

Mainly Vocab. Terms

Caucus

Method for parties to select their candidates for office where party members meet at local meetings

Primary

Method for parties to select their candidates for office where people vote in an election

Electoral College

Entity that selects the president and vice president, has 538 electors chosen from states and D.C.

Super PAC’s

Political action committees allowed to raise an unlimited amount of money from any sources (individuals, corporations, labor unions, interest groups). They are allowed to spend money in support or opposition to any political candidate

Modern Presidency

Started w/ Franklin Roosevelt, concept of presidency, is characterized by a powerful president who seeks to lead congress, connects with the public, and presides over a big executive branch

Signing Statement

President submits a declaration concerning their interpretation of a bill when they sign it into law, or announce an unwillingness to enforce aspects of a bill

Executive Order

Directives a president issues to subordinates in the executive branch and that have the force of law

Foreign Powers given by the Constitution

1: Receiving other nations ambassadors

2: Negotiating treaties

3: Commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Executive Agreements

Agreements between president and foreign nations that, because they are not treaties, don’t need senate approval

Congressional War Powers

Powers granted by article one, section eight, to congress to decide when to go to war

Enemy Combatant

Status given to individuals captured in battle who don’t belong to any national military force. 

Veto Power

President’s ability to cancel legislation passed by congress

Pocket Vote

A way for a president to overturn a bill passed by congress when the president doesn’t act on a bill within 10 days of passage

State of Union Address

Annual occasion where the president speaks before congress to suggest laws that congress should pass. 

Cabinet

Key presidential aides, who all are heads of an executive branch department, as well as others that the president designates

Created by congress, responsible for their department and advice

Executive Office of the President

part of executive branch that’s divided into specific offices and had key advisors who assist the president in managing the executive branch and developing policies

White House Staff

President’s personal advisors, who don’t need senate approval and provide political and policy advice

Press Secretary

Member of the presidents staff who conducts daily briefings with the media

Chief of Staff

key assistant to president, who organizes executive branch employees and serves as a link between other presidential advisors and the president 

Mandate

President’ claim to congress that his election victory signifies the public’s support for his policy preferences

Executive Privilege

Presidential authority to keep some of the communications within the executive branch personnel private and free from congress, courts, and public

U.S. vs Nixon (1974)

Limited executive privilege so the executive branch can’t use it to shield themselves from investigation of wrongdoing