The Electoral College and Filibuster - Essay Example

Political science Electoral College The Electoral College is the system that requires voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for a particular party’s candidate. The Electoral College system is designed for electing the president and the vice president in the United States of America. The Electoral College comprises of 538 electors who vote to decide the president and vice president in the US. The candidate who gets majority of electoral votes wins the presidential seat. Under the Electoral College, each state has its own electors as it has senators and representatives. Each state representative is free to determine how each state selects those who will vote. 2. Chief of staff Chief of staff identifies the leader of an intricate institution or body of individuals who is the coordinator of the endorsing or supporting staff. Chief of staff offers a buffer between the executive’s direct reporting team and the chief executive. The chief of staff has the duty to advice and confidante the chief executive. The roles of the chief of staff depend on the people involved and the actual position. 3. Filibuster Filibuster or talking out a bill can be defined as any obstructive techniques utilized to prevent a measure from being brought on the floor of the house for vote. The most familiar form of filibuster takes place when a senator tries to delay a vote on a crucial bill by extending the debate or discussion on the measure. The main intention of a filibuster is delaying or killing legislation from approval. Due to the fact, the senate carries out its activities based on unanimous consent; one person can establish a delay by opposing to the request. In some scenarios, such as considering resolution on the day the legislation is brought from the House, the delay could last the whole day. Since the delay is a legislative day, the majority of members can address it by adjourning the session. 4. Bill A bill refers to a proposed law under deliberation by lawmakers or legislatures. In order for a bill to become a policy or law, it must be passed by the lawmakers and consented by the executive. A bill is introduced in the House by the executive where the legislatures meet and discusses the requirement of the executive. They debate the authenticity of the bill and reach a consensus. In case, the legislatures disapprove it, it does not qualify to be a law but once they approve it, the executive signs it into law. 5. Veto power Veto power is the power given to nations such as France, Russia, United States of America, Britain and China by the United Nation to unilaterally stop or endorse an official action particularly the enactment of polices. Veto power can sometimes be absolute in that the UN Security Council who permanent members have veto power can hinder any resolution or it can be restricted. The purpose of the veto power is to issue power to stop changes not adopt certain legislations. Further, it allows the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to guard the status quo. The idea of veto emerged with the Roman tribunes and consuls whereby the two consuls holding power could hinder a civil or military decision by the other. 6. Solicitor general The Solicitor general is given the mandate of representing the government or the executive branch in cases before the Supreme Court. The solicitor general is the lawyer of the government, makes oral arguments in defense of the government, and makes legal briefs in the Supreme Court. The solicitor general also makes decisions regarding which cases the government should appeal from low court judgment. 7. Senatorial courtesy It refers to oral political custom in the US in that the president seek advice from the senior US senators of his party of a certain state before appointing any individual to a federal position in the Senator’s State. The senatorial courtesy is not fully based on in the case of positions of the Court of Appeals. Senatorial courtesy is not applicable in the presidential appointments of the Supreme Court judges. Senatorial courtesy is shown in the presidential nominations of former US senators. In case a president nominates a retired Senator to the executive office, the Senate usually endorses the nomination. 8. Commander in Chief It refers to an individual exercising supreme authority and command of a country’s military forces. The term can also be used to refer to a military commander who holds such authority and power, not via anarchy but as a subordinate to the president or head of the State. For instance, in the US, the president is the commander in chief of the Navy, armed forces and the Air force. 9. Redistricting Redistricting refers to the process of redrawing the electoral district borders in the US. Redistricting is done in respond to transformations in population demographics. Redistricting is decided by the results of the decennial census. Redistricting is conducted to ensure that there is balanced and equal representation. The redistricting process is conducted by a bipartisan commission to avoid the influence of politics in the process. Each State in the US has its own set standards for establishing legislative and congressional districts. Furthermore, in an attempt to balance populations in the districts and adhering to federal needs, the criteria incorporate trials to establish compact, attempt to maintain political units and population in a single district, and evading the drawing of district borders for the reason of partisan favoritism or protection from the ruling regime. 10. Power of Incumbency Being in an office is incumbent which is usually helpful when attempting to win a re-election for the next term. Power of incumbency is the assumption or belief by the people that what they have in office is better than the uncertain. Therefore, voters will often convince themselves that it is better to continue with the incumbent they know rather than a new person they do not know. Voters usually have a voting record for the incumbent as compared to a new aspirant who does not have any voting record. The power of incumbency is that as long as an individual is not corrupt and does not waste his or her people, there is a good chance for re-election. Work Cited Barbour, Christine. Keeping the Republic, 4th Ed. New York: CQ Press, 2008. Print. Read More