Chapter 5 – The Presidency Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts and figures related to the presidency in the United States.

Article II

Section of the U.S. Constitution that defines the presidency and its powers.

Commander-in-Chief

Title of the President as the head of the armed forces.

Electoral College

System established by the Constitution for the indirect election of the president.

US House

The lower chamber of the United States Congress.

EOP

Executive Office of the President; a group of staff and agencies that assist the President.

WHO

White House Office; a part of the EOP that provides support and advice to the President.

OMB

Office of Management and Budget; assists the President in budget preparation.

NSC

National Security Council; advises the President on national security and foreign policy.

JCS

Joint Chiefs of Staff; senior military leaders who advise the President.

CEA

Council of Economic Advisers; advises on economic policy.

Brownlow Committee

A group established in 1936 to recommend reorganization of the Executive Branch.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

USTR

United States Trade Representative; responsible for international trade negotiations.

Declaration of War

Formal declaration made by Congress to engage in war.

Secretary of Defense

Head of the Department of Defense and principal defense policy advisor to the President.

CJCS

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; top military advisor to the President.

National Security Advisor

Advisor to the President on issues related to national security.

DNI

Director of National Intelligence; oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community.

CCDRs

Combatant Commanders; leaders of the U.S. military's various regions.

CIA Director

Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency; oversees intelligence gathering.

Tonkin Gulf Resolution

1964 resolution that gave President Johnson authority to escalate military operations in Vietnam.

War Powers Resolution of 1973

Aimed to limit the President's power to engage U.S. forces without congressional approval.

Executive Overreach

When a President exceeds or abuses their powers.

HEROES Act of 2003

Legislation aimed at supporting military personnel and their families.

Oval Office

The President's official workspace in the White House.

Presidential Primaries

Elections in which voters select candidates for the general election.

New Hampshire Primary

First primary election in the U.S., significant for its influence on the presidential nomination process.

Iowa Caucus

First major contest in the presidential primary season; involves party members gathering to discuss candidates.

Caucus Elections

A meeting of party members to choose candidates or decide policy.

Proportional Voting System

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

USMCA

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; trade agreement between the three countries.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's participation in politics can influence political outcomes.

Precinct

The smallest unit of election administration.

Unit Rule

A rule where all delegates from a state vote together on a candidate.

Party Platform

A formal set of principles or goals supported by a political party.

Popular Election

An election in which voters directly elect candidates.

Nation-Wide Voting

A voting system where all eligible voters can participate across the nation.

Electors

Members of the Electoral College who formally elect the President.

Faithless Elector

An elector who does not cast their electoral vote for the candidate they pledged to support.

Honeymoon Period

The initial period after an election where the President enjoys high approval ratings.

National Popular Vote Compact

An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the candidate winning the national popular vote.

Resolution of Force

A congressional resolution authorizing the use of military force.

AUMF

Authorization for Use of Military Force; grants the President authority to use military force.

Article I Section 8

Section of the U.S. Constitution enumerating the powers of Congress.

US Senate

The upper chamber of the United States Congress.

Presidential Approval Ratings

A measure of public support for the President.

Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the President by the Constitution.

Inherent Powers

Powers that are not explicitly stated but are essential to carrying out the President's duties.

Delegated Powers

Powers granted to the President by Congress.

Rally Around the Flag Effect

A phenomenon where public support increases for a leader during times of crisis.

Cabinet

Advisory body to the President, consisting of the heads of executive departments.

Kitchen Cabinet

An informal group of advisors to the President.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the President in managing foreign relations.

Chief Legislator

The President's role in influencing legislation and policy.

Chief of Party

The President's role as the leader of their political party.

Chief of State

The formal representative of the United States.

Chief Executive

The President's role as the head of the executive branch.

Richard Nixon

37th President of the United States; known for the Watergate scandal.

Bill Clinton

42nd President of the United States; known for economic growth and Monica Lewinsky scandal.

George W. Bush

43rd President of the United States; led the country during 9/11.

Barack Obama

44th President; known for the Affordable Care Act.

Donald Trump

45th President; known for controversial policies and communication style.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd President; known for the New Deal and leading during WWII.

Osama bin Laden

Founder of al-Qaeda; responsible for 9/11 attacks.