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Chapter 14
The presidency
15
Political Studies
12th Grade
10/29/2011

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Cards

Term
Ad Hoc Structure
Definition
Several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters.
Term
bully pulpit
Definition
The president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.
Term
Cabinet
Definition
The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments of the federal government.
Term
circular structure
Definition
Several of the president’s assistants report directly to him.
Term
divided government
Definition
One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Term
Electoral College
Definition
The people chosen to cast each state’s votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes even though it cannot elect a representative or senator.
Term
gridlock
Definition
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.
Term
impeachment
Definition
Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives.
Term
lame duck
Definition
A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election.
Term
legislative veto
Definition
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power.
Term
line-item veto
Definition
An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.
Term
pocket veto
Definition
A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before Congress adjourns.
Term
pyramid structure
Definition
A president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff.
Term
unified government
Definition
The same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress.
Term
veto message
Definition
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.
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