Unit 3: The Executive Branch
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UNIT 3: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
CHOICE BOARD
Learning Objective:
Analyze the strengths / weaknesses of the American Presidency as set forth in Article II of the US Constitution.
AnalyticalCreate a T-Chart listing 4 strengths and 4 weaknesses of the American Presidency as set forth in Article II of the Constitution. Be specific with each!
PracticalWrite a 2 paragraph Federalist or Antifederalist Paper either supporting / rejecting Article II. Specifically explain the positives / negatives of the office of President as dictated by this Article.
CreativeCreate a color poster explaining either the strengths or weaknesses of the Presidency as set forth in Article II. Write & illustrate at least 4 points to support your claim.
Some presidential trivia…
Youngest: Theodore Roosevelt (42) Oldest: Ronald Reagan (69) Longest Inaugural Address: William Henry Harrison
(105 minutes) Shortest Term: William Henry Harrison (32 days) Longest Term: Franklin Roosevelt (12 years) Tallest: Abraham Lincoln (6 feet, 4 inches)
Trivia, continued….
The ‘Teddy Bear’ was named for Theodore Roosevelt
Largest feet: Warren Harding (Size 14) John F. Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic
President Father-Son combos: John Adams and John Quincy
Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush
….and more trivia….
President with most Grammy Awards: Barack Obama (2, both for Spoken Word performance)
Shortest and lightest President: James Madison (5 feet, 4 inches and +/- 100 pounds
Only President to not belong to a political party: George Washington
President who regularly went skinny dipping in the Potomac River: John Quincy Adams
The Roles of the President
Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen
Chief of State
The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of all Americans “…the personal embodiment and representative of
their dignity and majesty”
Chief Executive
The President has broad powers to carry out and enforce the laws of the United States
Chief Administrator
Head of government offices 2.7 million
employees 2.5 trillion
dollar budget
Chief Diplomat
The President conducts foreign policy and is the nation’s spokesperson to the rest of the world
Commander in Chief
The President is the head of the armed forces The Constitution says this person must be a civilian
and not an active military member Washington, Grant, Eisenhower
Chief Legislator
The President is the main source of public policies and for the most part sets the agenda for what Congress works on
Chief of Party
The President is the leader of his or her political party. Parties are not mentioned in the Constitution
Chief Citizen
The moral leader of the nation and the person who protects the interests of the people
Term and Compensation
The President serves a FOUR year term. According to the 22nd Amendment, he or she may only serve two full terms (or ten years in case he or she took over during another person’s term)
Some Presidents have called for a repeal of the 22nd Amendment. What do you think?
Presidential Qualifications
What are the formal qualifications? A “natural born
citizen” of the United States
Be at least 35 years of age
14 years a resident within the United States
$$$
1789: $25,000 2012: $400,000 + $50,000/yr expenses A nice house, big staff, protection, cars, Air Force
One, Camp David, travel and entertainment funds and great health care!
Are you sure you want to be President?
The Vice President
“I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may become everything.”--- John Adams
“ The Vice Presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm spit.”
--- John Nance Garner
The Vice Presidency
Vice President must meet all the same qualifications as the President
VPs take over if President dies, resigns, or is incapacitated (25th Amendment)
Duties: Presides over Senate (breaks ties) and helps to decide if the President is incapacitated
Vice President Joe Biden
Born November 20th, 1942 in Scranton, PA.
US Senator from Delaware from 1973 – 2008.
Attended the University of Delaware. Doctorate from Syracuse University. Became the 47th Vice President of the
United States on January 20th, 2008.
Order of Succession to the Presidency
Vice President Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Secretary of Defense
Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security
The Powers of the President
1. Veto Bills from Congress
2. Can call Congress into special session Called when action is needed from Congress but they
have ended their session (Go to war, finish the budget, etc.)
The Powers of the President
3. Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
4. Pardon federal criminals
The Powers of the President
5. Make treaties with other countries (with Senate approval)
6. Appoint ambassadors, federal court judges, Supreme Court justices, top government officials (all with Senate approval)
Presidential Pardons
The President can assist those being charged with federal crimes in 3 ways:
1. Pardon - a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment (Ex: Richard Nixon was pardoned by Gerald Ford)
Presidential Pardons
2. Amnesty - a pardon toward a group of people (Ex: Jimmy Carter gave amnesty to Vietnam era draft dodgers)
Presidential Pardons
3. Reprieve - order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case (Ex: in the case of a person on death row)
Executive Orders
-A rule or command that the President issues that has the force of law
Only Congress can make laws President can issue Executive Orders to
ensure laws are being carried out properly
The State of the Union
Not technically a power, but this gives the President the opportunity to speak directly to the policymakers in the US and direct them toward his vision for the country.
The State of the Union
The Constitution requires that the President report annually to Congress about the state of the country; this has become known as the “State of the Union Address”
Executive Orders Activity
After reading the article and answering the questions, complete the following:
With your partner, create four multiple choice questions – one from each section of the text.
Questions should have four GOOD options each – no silly / stupid options!
When this activity is completed, turn in your work, then work with your partner on your script.
Presidential Powers Activity: Truman’s Decision
1. You will be given a role to play. Stick to this role!
2. Get in your group: Political Appointees - Byrnes, Stimson, Bard, Conant, Bush Scientists - Oppenheimer, Compton, Teller, Szilard, Franck Generals - Marshall, Leahy, Eisenhower, Groves, Arnold
3. Groups will debate among themselves to determine a course of action. What will be acceptable to most?
1. 3 Reasons for this course of action must be written
Presidential Powers Activity: Truman’s Decision
4. Leaders will present their plan to Truman. Truman may ask them (or anyone on their team) specific questions.
5. After listening to AT LEAST the leaders (and anyone else he wishes to question), Truman will make a decision, announce it to the class, and explain at least two factors that made him make this decision.
Truman’s Decision Assignment
Choose one question to respond to in a one-paragraph response: What has this activity made you realize about the
job of President? What kind of person should seek the Presidency?
(relate your answer to this activity) Would you make a good or bad President? Why?
(relate your answer to this activity)
Term and Compensation
The President serves a FOUR year term. According to the 22nd Amendment, he or she may only serve two full terms (or ten years in case he or she took over during another person’s term)
Some Presidents have called for a repeal of the 22nd Amendment. What do you think?
Presidential Qualifications
What are the formal qualifications? A “natural born
citizen” of the United States
Be at least 35 years of age
14 years a resident within the United States
$$$
1789: $25,000 2012: $400,000 + $50,000/yr expenses A nice house, big staff, protection, cars, Air Force
One, Camp David, travel and entertainment funds and great health care!
Question:
How many votes does a Presidential candidate need to
become the President?
Answer:
270
The Electoral College
When we vote in a Presidential election, we vote for Electors, NOT the President.
Electors: People from a political party sworn to vote for their party’s candidate
The Electoral College
How many electoral votes do we get? # of Representatives + # of Senators = # of Electoral
votes SC has 7 Reps and 2 Senators = 9 Electoral Votes
The Electoral College
The candidate who gains the majority vote in a state gets ALL of that state’s Electoral votes
The Electoral College
How many electoral votes are there? # of Reps + # of Senators + 3 for DC 538
A candidate needs a simple majority (270 votes) to win the Presidency
Electoral Map of 2008
Obama: 365 Electoral Votes, 53% of popular voteMcCain: 173 Electoral Votes, 46% of popular vote
Let’s Review What is the Electoral College?
How do we determine the number of electors each state gets?
How many electoral votes are there in total?
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win?
Now we know what the formal structure of the Electoral College is…
…but what impact does it have on people campaigning for the Presidency?
…what impact does it have on voters throughout the US?
What Do You Think? What strategy did you pick throughout the
simulation?
Did you treat all states equally? Why/why not?
What happened to “votes” from the minority party in each state?
What impact do you think this system has on voter turnout in the US?
Problems with the Electoral College
1. Candidates don’t treat all states equally
2. Minority party votes in each state aren’t counted
3. Electors don’t have to vote for the candidate they promised to vote for
Problems with the Electoral College
4. Smaller states get more votes per person Population of CA: 38,041,430 Electoral Votes: 55 Electoral votes per person: .000001
Population of MT: 1,005,141 Electoral Votes: 3 Electoral Votes per person: .000003
SC gets .000002
Problems with the Electoral College
5. The Presidency can be won without a majority of the popular vote
Popular VoteBush: 50,456,002Gore: 50,999,897
Proposed Solutions
Every Congressional term since 1789 has seen proposed amendments to the Electoral system.
Four major suggestions are repeated over and over again in different forms… The District Plan The Proportional Plan District Popular Election The National Bonus Plan
CHOICE BOARD Text p. 382-384
Learning Objective:
Outline the advantages and/ or disadvantages of suggested reforms to the Electoral College.
AnalyticalWrite a one paragraph summary of the 4 major proposed reforms to the Electoral College. Include at least one major advantage / disadvantage for each.
PracticalWrite a one page letter to Congress explaining why one of the four proposed reforms is better than the Electoral College.
CreativeCreate a color propaganda poster encouraging the US to adopt one of the proposed reforms to the Electoral College OR to keep it as it is. Include specific information detailing why your choice is the best!
Summary Questions
1. What is the Electoral College?2. List two problems with the Electoral
College3. What questions do you have about
the Electoral College that we haven’t addressed today?
4 Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College
1) The District Plan
Each state would get: 2 statewide electoral votes 1 electoral vote for each district in a state
1) The District Plan
Pro: Electoral votes would be divided rather than winner-take-all
Cons: The loser of the popular vote could still win! Gerrymandering would rig Presidential
elections
2) The Proportional Plan
Each candidate would get the same % of a state’s electoral vote as (s)he got of the popular vote
2) The Proportional Plan
Pro: Electoral votes would be closer to the popular vote per state
Cons: The loser of the popular vote could still win! Could undo our current two party system (is
that really so bad?)
3) District Popular Election
Do away with the Electoral College & elect the President by popular vote
3) District Popular Election
Pros: It’s easy Supports the ideals of democracy
Cons: Would require a Constitutional amendment Candidates would have to campaign much
harder in more places
National Bonus Plan
Keep the Electoral College 102 “Bonus” votes go to the winner of
the Popular vote
National Bonus Plan
Pro: Would normally guarantee that the
popular winner would win the Electoral College
Cons: New & unfamiliar
National Popular Vote Plan
Individual states agree to give all their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote.
Popular VoteBush: 50,456,002Gore: 50,999,897
National Popular Vote Plan
Pros:
Cons:
Homework Assessment
Value Characteristics:
4 Accuracy: All information given is accurate Completeness: All parts of the assignment totally addressed Clarity: Response is totally clear, info is easy to understand
3 Accuracy: Mostly accurate information given Completeness: Most parts of the assignment addressed Clarity: Response is mostly clear, easy to understand. Some
of the response is mildly disorganized.
2 Accuracy: Some accurate information given Completeness: Most parts of the assignment addressed Clarity: Parts of the response is clear, but some is presented
in a disorganized fashion.
1 Accuracy: Much of the information presented is inaccurate Completeness: Assignment is largely incomplete Clarity: Information is disorganized and unclear.
You will…
Come to consensus with a partner re: how your homework ranks. Write the number at the top of your page. Write a two sentence summary of why/how
you came to that conclusion.
CHOICE BOARD Text p. 382-384
Learning Objective:
Outline the advantages and/ or disadvantages of suggested reforms to the Electoral College.
AnalyticalWrite a one paragraph summary of the 4 major proposed reforms to the Electoral College. Include at least one major advantage / disadvantage for each.
PracticalWrite a one page letter to Congress explaining why one of the four proposed reforms is better than the Electoral College.
CreativeCreate a color propaganda poster encouraging the US to adopt one of the proposed reforms to the Electoral College OR to keep it as it is. Include specific information detailing why your choice is the best!
The Cabinet
15 specialized departments
Members are 1) appointed by the President and 2) confirmed by the Senate
The President can fire Cabinet members
Cabinet members advise the President on issues in their field
Which are the most important?
Cabinet Departments State – foreign policy Treasury - $ and taxes- IRS Defense – military Justice – Enforce Fed. law- prisons Interior – public lands & parks Agriculture – farm and USDA- food
stamps Commerce – Census, trademarks,
trade Labor – workplace safety, enforces
labor laws- unemployment
Cabinet Departments (cont.) Health and Human Services – health
research, FDA, Medicare and Medicaid
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – public housing, fair housing laws
Transportation – highways, mass transit
Energy – Nuclear plants, energy research
Education – aid to schools, educational research
Veterans Affairs – benefits for Veterans
Homeland Security – Borders, preparedness and response, FEMA
State Department
• Secretary of State John Kerry
• Advises the President about foreign policy matters & carries out his foreign policy choices.
Department of Justice
-Attorney General Eric Holder:- First African-
American Attorney General
-Prosecutes Federal Laws under the President’s orders
The US Treasury
Treasury Secretary: Timothy Geithner
Prints money
Collects revenue (IRS)
Pays the nation’s debts
Department of Defense
Secretary of Defense: Chuck Hagel
Coordinates & supervises all the national defense agencies
Why has the President’s power grown so much in the past 100 years?
The unity of the Presidency One President, 535 in Congress
As the nation becomes more complex, the executive branch has had to take on more powers
Why has the President’s power grown so much in the past 100 years?
Crisis Points Wars The Depression Natural disasters Terrorism
Mass media The President is truly a ‘public’ figure
What happens when the President abuses his power?
Impeachment
Impeach – To accuse
The Impeachment Process is the means by which elected officials can be removed from their office.
How Does The System Work?
Each Branch of the Government is involved. A 2/3 Vote is needed in each portion of the
process Two trials are needed to decide two main
issues:
1) Impeach or not (House) 2) Remove or not (Senate)
Duties of our Government:
House of Reps: Vote to bring charges
Senate: Vote to remove
Chief Justice: Presides over Presidential impeachment hearing and trial.
Presidential Impeachments:
How many Presidents have been impeached?
Presidential Impeachments:
How many Presidents have been impeached?
The Presidents: Andrew Johnson—1867
Richard Nixon—1974 Bill Clinton—1999
Recent Case Studies:
Richard Nixon—1974
Nixon Background:
VP for Eisenhower in the 1950’s Ran against JFK in 1960—Had the
election won until the end—”TV Debates”
Leaves politics—home to California Talked into running again in 1968
Nixon Notes
War in Vietnam a huge issue in campaign Nixon wants, “Peace with Honor” Promises removal of troops from
Vietnam War winding down leading into the
election of 1972 Nixon is the overwhelming favorite
Nixon Notes
Election of 1972—Democrats self destructing. Republicans knew their every move.
Top Democratic candidates all seem to fall apart once they gain any momentum.
In the end, George McGovern from SD ends up being the top candidate for Dem’s.
Then comes the “Watergate Break-in”
Watergate Break-in:
June 1972 Break in at the Democratic National
Committee headquarters. How they are caught: Years that follow are trouble for Nixon—
starts with Spiro Agnew Adds Gerald Ford as VP
Who was involved?
Washington Post Reporters in Court following a drug case.
“Woodward and Berstein” Notice White House Lawyers in same
courtroom pleading out case for burglars.
Election of 1972 goes off without notice—Nixon vs. McGovern from SD!
Reporters follow their leads:
Evidence Follows up the chain of command all the way to Nixon.
Two years of trials, hearings, firings, Top White House people going to Jail.
End For Nixon
White House Tapes ordered to court Nixon at first refuses—finally gives them up—18
minutes missing. “Saturday Night Massacre” Nixon fires top aids and
prosecutor Archibald Cox. Impeachment rumored on Capital Hill. Multiple Articles of Impeachment argued—as many
as 17 different charges pending against Nixon. Resigns August 1974.
Clinton Impeachment
“Whitewater” Whitewater, not Watergate! Investigation into improper actions while
as Governor of Arkansas. Hillary and Bill Clinton involved. Question was—Who all is involved, and
to what degree?
Bill Clinton Background:
Whitewater Case
After being elected in 1992, investigation starts in 1994 about improper activity.
“Whitewater” land company. Improper/Insider holdings while as
Governor.
Congress Moves to Investigate:
Appoints: Ken Starr
Deep investigation into all issues while as Governor.
What did he find?
No evidence of wrong doing in Whitewater.
Deals were made, no evidence against Bill or Hillary.
Did find questions of sexual misconduct while as Governor.
Starr starts to dig.
Starr uncovers Monica Lewinsky
Starr’s Report:
Has Lewinsky on tape admitting affair. Clinton denies misconduct in front of
Grand Jury. Starr breaks the case Government moves toward
impeachment
Articles of Impeachment
Two Articles of Impeachment
1) Lying under oath
2) Obstruction of Justice.
Clinton Impeached!
Goes to Trial for Removal:
Need Two Thirds vote for removal: 67/100Get 50/100 on one voteGet 41/100 on the otherClinton stays as President
Whitewater Final Story:
Starr commission fades away Clinton finishes out 2nd term Record popularity rating—near 75% of
all Americans
The Executive Branch(aka The Bureaucracy)
Executive Office of the President “The West Wing”…
The Cabinet Secretaries of…
Independent Agencies From the CIA to the Postal Service…
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
The President’s closest Advisors who work in the west wing of the White House Chief of Staff: most powerful in White House Press Secretary: speaks to the press on behalf of the
President every day Several Councils and groups, including:
National Security Council Office of Management and Budget
Most powerful and critical office in the EOP for the President. This White House Office contains the President’s top advisors. The Chief of Staff is the most powerful.
National Security Council
Advise the President on all matters dealing with the nation’s security President Vice President Secretaries of State, Treasury and
Defense Head of the military’s Joint Chiefs
of Staff Director of National Intelligence
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The OMB prepares the federal budget, which the President presents to Congress
The OMB oversees that the spending is carried out properly Based on a ‘fiscal year’ (a year that doesn’t follow the
calendar) US Govt. fiscal year is October-September
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