Chapter 13: The Presidency

President's salary

$400,000 a year plus $50,000 expenses

How many presidential electors does each state have?

2 senators plus population House of Representatives; each state must have at least 3 votes.

Presidential term

4 years

Presidential electors

A person elected by the voters to represent them in making a formal selection of the Vice President and president

Direct popular election

A plan that would abolish the electoral college and replace it with a direct popular vote for president

Platform

A political party's formal statement of basic principles, stands on major issues, and objectives

National convention

A quadrennial meeting where major parties select their presidential ticket

Presidential primaries

An election in the which a party's voters choose state delegates to the national convention and/or express a preference for their party's presidential nomination

What happens if no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes?

Decided by congress

Why are Iowa and New Hampshire important for a presidential primary?

First 2 states that started it. Iowa then New Hampshire

Electoral college

Group of people chosen in each state and the District of Columbia every four years who make a formal selection of the president and Vice President

22nd amendment

Limit on presidential terms

Swing voters

Members of the electorate who have not made up their minds at the start of a campaign and are open to persuasion by either side

The three formal qualifications to be president

Must be at least 35 years of age, a natural born U.S. citizen, and a citizen of the U.S. for at least 14 years

Electoral vote

One of two votes cast by an elector, one for president and one for Vice President

What are the formal responsibilities of the Vice President?

Preside over senate, decide presidential disabilities

What is the major flaw in the electoral college system?

President candidate could win popular, but lose electoral vote

25th amendment

Presidential disability

Proportional plan

Proposal by which each presidential candidate would receive the same share of a stated electoral vote as he or she received in the states popular vote

Presidential succession/Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled; the current law fixing the order of succession to the presidency after the Vice President

How is the Vice President important today?

Shape policy, creates own programs, president uses them more and work side by side

Chief legislator

Term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress

Chief of state

Term for the president as the ceremonial head of the U.S., the symbol of all the people of the nation

Chief diplomat

Term for the president as the main architect of foreign policy and spokes person to other countries

Commander in chief

The leader of the nation's armed forces

Chief of party

The leader of the political party controlling the executive branch

Balance the ticket

The practice of choosing a vice presidential running mate who can strengthen the presidential candidate's chance of being elected

Chief citizen

The representative of all the people and the champion of public interest

Presidential electors chose "at-large" means what?

Winner take all