AP Government duel

Majority leader the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share

speech plus

Patronage the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party

an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants

Independent regulatory agency an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term

Primary election

At-large

Platform

Party dealignment

Trustee after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

Candidate centered politics politics that focuses on candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation

Conservative a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,

Gatekeepers

people who wish to maximize the personal liberty on both economic and social issues; prefer small,

a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability

Policy adoption

to social norms and values, tough on criminals

executive privilege a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents requested by Congress or the courts do not have to be turned over because of the separation of powers

Miranda warning the warning that an individual must be read at the time of arrest and questioning, letting him know his 5th and 6th amendment rights

resolved differences between northern and southern states at the constitutional convention; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for twenty years

an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president

pork-barrel legislation

segregation segregation that results from law

Ex post facto law

Bill of attainder

Trial balloon tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction

Casework services performed by an elected official for constituents

Judicial review authority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the

Straight-ticket voting

Platform a statement of a political party on the issues facing the country, adopted at the national convention; each issue position is known as a plank

Electoral College

a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority

Limited Government a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority

Front loading the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election

all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members

the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government

Democracy a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

Dealignment

Constituency

constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.

Strict constitutionalist the view that justices should base decisions on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution

Joint committee a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) Found a "right to privacy" in the Constitution that would ban any state law against selling contraceptives

Cooperative federalism "marble-cake federalism" a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states that developed during the 1930s; the power of the federal government expands into areas that the states are usually responsible for

a political organization, typically at the local level, that wielded considerable power through its ability to get out the vote; relied heavily on patronage and providing services to constituents and was often corrupt

Ex post facto law a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed

action by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship

Sound bite a very brief excerpt from a political speech aired on television or radio

Politico

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette

only one representative is chosen from each legislative district

the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional

a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure

voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election

Eminent domain

Political ideology

Federal system a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government

War Powers Act of 1973 a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension

End this game?