Key Terms
Original design flaw
Electors cast two ballots; top vote-getter became president, second-place became VP. This produced Adams as president an
Super Tuesday
Multiple states vote on the same day later in the primary season; designed to force consolidation around a single nomine
National Popular Vote interstate compact
States pledge their electoral votes to the national popular vote winner once states totaling 270 electoral votes sign on
Cabinet selection criteria
Ability, expertise, influence, reputation, and increasingly demographic and political representation (gender, race, ethn
Senate countermove
Pro forma sessions — short, do-nothing sessions held specifically to keep the Senate technically "in session" and block
Inaugural address
Sets tone; previews priorities; historically significant (Lincoln calming the South; FDR on fear; Kennedy's call to serv
BULLY PULPIT
Theodore Roosevelt's concept of the presidency as a platform to push his agenda directly to the public.
RALLY AROUND THE FLAG EFFECT
Presidential approval spikes during international crises.
Political time (Skowronek)
Circumstances at the time a president takes office shape what is possible.
Bully pulpit
Presidency as a platform to push the president's agenda to the public (Theodore Roosevelt's concept)
Cabinet
The 15 heads of executive departments who serve as the president's senior advisers
Electoral College
538 electors who formally elect the president and VP; 270 needed to win
Executive agreement
International deal between the president and another country; does not require Senate ratification
Executive Office of the President
Administrative organization reporting directly to the president; includes OMB, NSC, Council of Economic Advisers; create
Executive order
Presidential directive with the force of law; bypasses Congress; can be overturned by courts or reversed by successor