The Inauguration

The newly elected president and vice president are inaugurated (formally sworn in) on January 20 following the election. The inauguration is nationally televised and is fol­lowed by a parade and many parties. The president then moves into the White House and appoints members of the cabinet (the president's closest advisers, who are also the heads of the various departments of the executive branch). Between the election and the inauguration, the outgoing president meets with the newly elected president and his staff to plan for a smooth transition from one administration to the next. Because the outgoing president is only awaiting the end of his term, he is often referred to as a "lame duck." Sometimes the new president and the majority of the members of Con­gress belong to different parties. When this happens, it is more difficult for the presi­dent to keep promises made during the campaign.

Since the two major parties are not extremely different, there is seldom a sudden shift in national policy when a new president from a different party takes office. Change occurs only with the passage of time, as the new administration becomes accustomed to its powers.

After you read

1. Getting the message

A. Work with a partner. Number the events in chronological order from 1-10, starting with the earliest. The first one is done for you.

________ primary elections

________ the inauguration

________ Election Day

________ the election campaign

________ the "lame duck" period

________ a party's selection of a vice presidential candidate

________ the creation of a party platform

____1___ politicians announce they want to be president

________ the opening of the political convention

________ a party's selection of a presidential candidate

B. Using information from this chapter and your oponions, in small groups discuss what`s good and what`s bad about the American system of choosing the president. Then fill in your answers.

Good

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

Bad

1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

2. Building your vocabulary

A. These are the 15 key vocabulary words for this chapter. They are boldfaced in the reading. Pronounce these words after your teacher and discuss their meaning.

campaign demonstration nominate

candidate inauguration opponent

conservative incumbent party

convention issue platform

delegate liberal primary

B. Complete these sentences with some of the key vocabulary words. Make the nouns plural if necessary, and put the verbs into the correct tense and form.

1. Every 4 years, the two major political hold a national _______ .

2. At each convention, __________ vote to choose that party's candidates for

president and vice president.

3. In general, the Democratic party appeals to more voters and

the Republican party to more voters.

4. The planks of each party's ______ tell that party's viewpoints on important political and social ________ .

5. The presidential candidates from each party ______ from September until the November election.

6. The Republican and Democratic presidential candidates run against one another. They are ________ in the election.

7. The president is elected in November but does not take office until the following January, immediately after the __________ .

8. A president running for reelection is a(n) _________ candidate.

C. What is the difference between a nominee and a candidate? Check the definitions in a dictionary. Then discuss these words in class.