“IN THE SCHEME OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, THE PRESIDENCY IS PREEMINENTLY THE PEOPLE’S OFFICE.”- GROVER CLEVELAND, 1900 The American President.

“ IN THE SCHEME OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, THE PRESIDENCY IS

PREEMINENTLY THE PEOPLE’S OFFICE.” -GROVER CLEVELAND, 1900

The American President

The Road to the White House

Roles of the President

Chief of StateChief ExecutiveChief AdministratorChief DiplomatCommander in ChiefChief LegislatorChief of PartyChief Citizen

Presidential Qualifications

Who can run? Formal Qualificatons

Must be a natural born citizenMust be at least 35 years oldMust have lived in the United States for at

least fourteen years.

Who usually wins?Informal Qualifications

Records in Public OfficeGovernors are the most common nominees.

Most have law degrees.Most are Protestants, most are white, all

have been menPleasant & healthy appearance, seem to be

happily married. Only 5 have been divorced.Great speaking ability

The Presidential Term

Four year terms Can be elected twice, and serve half of

another’s presidency, for a maximum of 10 years in office.

The 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms. Before 1951, it was only tradition that kept presidents from running more than twice.

Franklin D. Roosevelt broke tradition and was elected to four terms. Congress quickly remedied that after his death.

Pay & Benefits

$400,000 per year$50,000 per year expense accountResidence is the White House (132 room

mansion)Use of the Oval Office & White House staffFleet of automobilesAir Force OneCamp David (resort hideaway in mountains of

MD)More stress than any other human being will

ever experience!

Who’s Next in Line?

Presidential Succession Act of 1947: Congress fixed the order of succession after the Vice President.

1. Vice President2. Speaker of the House3. President pro tempore of the Senate4. Secretary of State5. Secretary of the Treasury6. Secretary of Defense7. Attorney General

The 25th Amendment

What happens if the President becomes disabled?

1. The VP becomes acting president if the president informs Congress in writing that he is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”

2. The VP and a majority of the members of the Cabinet, inform Congress, in writing that the president is so incapacitated.

*Presidents have transferred power 3 times to undergo surgery.

The Vice Presidency

Importance of the Office

Presides over the SenateHelps decide the question of presidential

disability

“Heartbeat away from the Presidency”Balance the TicketIf the office becomes vacant, the 25th

Amendment allows the President to nominate a replacement who must be confirmed by a majority in both houses.

The Framers’ Plan for Presidential Selection

Most of the framers did not trust the public to directly elect the president.

They recognized that if Congress selected the executive, it would undermine the system of checks & balances provided by the Constitution.

Their solution was the Electoral College. The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by

each state who would meet in their state capitals to vote for the president & vice president. Ties go to the House.

Today, all major presidential candidates are selected by their political parties. Electoral College members vote, either by law or tradition, for the same candidate as the majority of voters in their state.