APGOV - The Presidency

Commander in Chief

The role of the President of the United States as the highest-ranking military officer in the country, responsible for overseeing and directing military operations

Chief Executive

The role of the president as the head of the executive branch of the government, responsible for enforcing laws and administering public policies

Chief Diplomat

A role of the President of the United States responsible for shaping foreign policy and managing international relations

Chief Legislature

The President's role to influence law-making through veto power and proposing legislation

Whig Theory

A theory that defines the presidency as a limited, restrained office, where the president's power is restricted to only those authorities explicitly granted by the Constitution, assuming Congress leads policy

Stewardship Theory

A theory that asserts the President should act as a "steward of the people," taking any action necessary for the national interest unless explicitly forbidden by the Constitution or law

Open Party Caucus

A local meeting where political parties choose presidential nominees

Momentum

The increasing psychological advantage and perceived inevitability a candidate gains by winning early contests

Unit Rule

A former Democratic Party rule where a state's entire delegation at a national convention had to cast all its votes as a bloc for the candidate that a majority of the delegation supported

District Rule

A system where electoral votes or delegates are allocated based on which candidate won a specific, smaller geographic district, rather than the state as a whole

Executive Office of the President

A collection of agencies and offices that support the President of the United States in carrying out their duties

White House Office

A part of the Executive Office of the President that is directly under the president’s control, responsible for supporting the president in various capacities

Cabinet

A group of high-ranking officials in the executive branch of government, typically composed of the heads of various departments, who advise the president and help implement policy decisions

Honeymoon Period

The initial phase of a new administration or leadership, characterized by high approval ratings, optimism, and a sense of unity and goodwill

Presidential Approval Ratings

Metrics used to gauge public support for the president, often expressed as a percentage of respondents who approve of them

Imperial Presidency

A significant expansion of presidential power, particularly in the realms of foreign policy and national security, which often occurs without sufficient checks from Congress or the judiciary