1.
"go public": a president's use of speeches and other public communications to appeal directly to citizens about issues the president would like the House and Senate to act on
2.
constitutional authority (presidential): powers derived from the provisions of the Constitution that outline the president's role in government
3.
Executive Office of the President (EOP): the group of policy-related offices that serves as support staff to the president
4.
executive orders: proclamations made by the president that change government policy without congressional approval
5.
executive privilege: the right of the president to keep executive branch conversations and correspondence confidential from the legislative and judicial branches.
6.
head of government: one role of the president, through which he or she has authority over the executive branch
7.
head of state: one role of the president, through which which he or she represents the country symbolically and politically.
8.
impeachment: a negative or checking power over the other branches that allows Congress to remove the president, vp, or other "officers of the United States" for abuses of power
9.
power to persuade: the theory that a president's ability to shape government policy depends more on his ability to convince members of Congress, bureaucrats, and citizens to do what he wants than it does on the formal powers conveyed to him by the Constitution
10.
presidential approval: the percentage of Americans who feel that the president is doing a good job in office
11.
recess appointment: when a person is chosen by the president to fill a position, such as a head of department, while the Senate is not in session, thereby bypassing Senate approval. Only last until the end of the congressional term.
12.
signing statement: a document issued by the president when signing a bill into law explaining his interpretation of the law, which often differs from the interpretation of Congress, in an attempt to influence how the law will be implemented.
13.
State of the Union: an annual speech in which the president address Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies
14.
Statutory Authority (presidential): powers derived from laws enacted by Congress that add to the powers given to the president in the Constitution
15.
two presidencies: the idea that presidents have more interest in and power over foreign policy issues compared to domestic policy. He doesn't get judged as much for foreign policy stuff.
16.
unilateral action (presidential): any policy decision made and acted upon by the president and his staff without the explicit approval or consent of Congress
17.
unitary executive theory: the idea that the vesting clause gives the president the authority to issue orders and policy directives that cannot be undone by Congress
18.
vesting clause: Art. 3 Sec. 1 which states that "executive power shall be vested in the President of the United States", making the President both the head of government and the head of state
