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GOVT - Ch 12
The Presidency
Term | Definition |
---|---|
chief executive | The head of the executive brand of government; in the United States, the president. |
commander in chief | The supreme commander of a nation's military force. |
head of state | The person who serves as the ceremonial head of a country's government and represents that country to the rest of the world. |
diplomat | A person who represents one country in dealing with representatives of another country. |
chief diplomat | The role of the president of the United States in recognizing and interacting with foreign governments. |
patronage | The practice of giving government jobs to individuals belonging to the winning political party. |
treaty | A formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries. |
executive order | A presidential order to carry out a policy or policies described in a law passed by Congress. |
signing statement | A written statement, appended to a bill at the time the president signs it into law, indicating how the president interprets that legislation. |
executive agreement | A binding international agreement, or pact, that is made between the president and another head of state and that does not require Senate approval. |
executive privilege | An inherent executive power claimed by presidents to withhold information from, or to refuse to appear before, Congress or the courts; can be accorded by president to other executive officials. |
Watergate scandal | A scandal involving an ellegal break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices in 1972 by members of President Nixon's reelection campaign staff. Before Congress could vote to impeach Nixon for his participation, he resigned. |
cabinet | An advisory group selected by the president to assist with decision making; traditionally consists of heads of executive departments and other president-appointed officers. |
kitchen cabinet | The name given to a president's unofficial advisers; coined during Andrew Jackson's presidency. |
Executive Office of the President (EOP) | A group of staff agencies that assist the president in carrying out major duties; established by FDR in 1939 to cope with increased responsibilities of the Great Depression. |
White House Office | The personal office of the president; handle political needs and manage media. |
chief of staff | The person who directs the operations of the White House Office and advises the president on important matters. |
press secretary | A member of the White House staff who holds news conferences for reporters and makes public statements for the president. |
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) | An agency in the EOP that assists the president in preparing and supervising the administration of the federal budget. |
National Security Council (NSC) | A council that advises the president on domestic and foreign matters concerning the safety and defense of the nation; established in 1947. |