The nerve center of the American Presidency is

1 the President’s Cabinet.
2 the Executive Office of the President.
3 the Congressional houses.
4 the Civil Service.

And you think it's ... ?

The nerve center of the American Presidency is 2) the Executive Office of the President.

To arrive at this answer, let's examine each of the options:

1) The President's Cabinet: While the Cabinet plays an important role in advising the President, it consists of the heads of various government departments who are appointed by the President. They are not the nerve center of the Presidency, but rather serve as a collective advisory body to the President.

3) The Congressional houses: The Congressional houses, namely the Senate and the House of Representatives, are important branches of government, but they are separate and independent from the Executive branch. They do not serve as the nerve center of the Presidency.

4) The Civil Service: The Civil Service refers to the permanent administrative branches of the government that are responsible for implementing government policies on a day-to-day basis. While they play a crucial role in governance, they are also separate and distinct from the nerve center of the Presidency.

Now, let's examine option 2) the Executive Office of the President: The Executive Office of the President is the nerve center of the American Presidency. It is comprised of various agencies and offices that directly support the President in carrying out his executive duties and responsibilities. This includes agencies such as the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, and the Council of Economic Advisors, among others. These offices work closely with the President to provide him with the necessary information and resources to make informed decisions and implement policies effectively.

Therefore, the correct answer is 2) the Executive Office of the President.