AP Gov't Presidency

Andrew Johnson & Bill Clinton

impeached but not convicted

Independent Council

independent prosecutor; replaced by the Department of Justice

Clinton v. City of New York

made the line-item veto illegal

ideological wing

not only of the same parties but also of the same ideas

"Presidential honeymoon"

when a president first gets elected and is popular among the people and Congress will pass his laws more easily

divided government

when one part controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Impoundment

when the president refuses to spend money that Congress appropriates; illegal

delegate model

doing what your constituents want you to do

unified government

the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress

United States v. Nixon

1974: though the president is entitled to receive confidential advice, he can be required to reveal material related to a criminal prosecution

Nixon v. Fitzgerald

1982: the president may not be sued while in office

Clinton v. Jones

1997: the president may be sued for actions taken before he became president

executive privilege

The right of the president to withhold info from Congress/ refuse to testify

pocket veto

a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before congress adjourns

veto message

a message from the president to congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within ten days of the bill's passage

lame duck

a person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection

pyramid structure

a president's subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

pardon

a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense; Ford used this to excuse Nixon

line item veto

an executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature

impeachment

charges against a president approved by a major of the House

trustee approach

doing what the public good requires, even if the voters are skeptical

Budget Reform Act of 1974

requires the president to spend all appropriated funds unless he first tells Congress what funds he wishes not to spend and Congress, within 45 days, agrees to delete the items; made impoundment illegal

circular structure

several of the president's assistants report directly to him

ad hoc structure

several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters; case by case basis

legislative veto

the authority of congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court does not have this power

cabinet

the heads of the fifteen executive branch departments of the federal government

gridlock

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

electoral college

the people chosen to cast each state's votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast on electoral vote for each senator and representative it has.

opinion polls

the president can use these to help him shape his policies and programs

bully pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public