Chapter 13: The Presidency – Flashcards
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Swing voters
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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
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Proportional plan
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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
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Presidential succession/Presidential Succession Act of 1947
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Scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled; the current law fixing the order of succession to the presidency after the Vice President
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22nd amendment
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Limit on presidential terms
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Chief legislator
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Term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress
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Presidential electors
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A person elected by the voters to represent them in making a formal selection of the Vice President and president
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Platform
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A political party's formal statement of basic principles, stands on major issues, and objectives
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Electoral college
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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
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Chief diplomat
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Term for the president as the main architect of foreign policy and spokes person to other countries
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Chief of state
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Term for the president as the ceremonial head of the U.S., the symbol of all the people of the nation
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Electoral vote
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One of two votes cast by an elector, one for president and one for Vice President
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Direct popular election
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A plan that would abolish the electoral college and replace it with a direct popular vote for president
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Commander in chief
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The leader of the nation's armed forces
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Chief of party
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The leader of the political party controlling the executive branch
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Chief citizen
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The representative of all the people and the champion of public interest
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Balance the ticket
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The practice of choosing a vice presidential running mate who can strengthen the presidential candidate's chance of being elected
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The three formal qualifications to be president
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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
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Presidential term
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4 years
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President's salary
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$400,000 a year plus $50,000 expenses
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25th amendment
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Presidential disability
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National convention
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A quadrennial meeting where major parties select their presidential ticket
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Presidential primaries
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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
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What are the formal responsibilities of the Vice President?
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Preside over senate, decide presidential disabilities
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Presidential electors chose "at-large" means what?
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Winner take all
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What is the major flaw in the electoral college system?
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President candidate could win popular, but lose electoral vote
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What happens if no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes?
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Decided by congress
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Why are Iowa and New Hampshire important for a presidential primary?
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First 2 states that started it. Iowa then New Hampshire
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How many presidential electors does each state have?
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2 senators plus population House of Representatives; each state must have at least 3 votes.
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How is the Vice President important today?
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Shape policy, creates own programs, president uses them more and work side by side
