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