ARTICLE II
THE PRESIDENTTHE VICE PRESIDENT
THE CABINETEXECUTIVE DEPTS. &
BUREAUCRACY
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
GPS
SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.
a. Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
b. Analyze the relationship between the three branches in a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.
SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the
United States. a. Explain the written qualifications for President of the
United States. b. Describe unwritten qualifications common to past
presidents.
Qualifications for President & Vice President
Must be 35 years oldMust be a natural born citizen
Must have lived in the U.S. the last 14 years
Informal Qualifications
Informal “Requirements”:White (except one), Male, Protestant (except one)
All manner of professions, but mostly political ones (former state governors, for example)
Compensation
Salary $400,000(2001)
$50,000 for expenses
$100,000 for travel
White House 132 rooms and office
Camp David Resort
Medical & Dental Care
Secret service protection-life
PensionTransportation
Term of office
The President and VP are elected to four year terms
The 22nd amendment limits the president to two terms or no more than 10 years
Presidential Succession Act
1. Vice-President of the U.S.2. Speaker of the House3. President pro tempore4. Cabinet secretaries in order of department origin (State, Treasury, Defense)
25th Amendment 1967
The 25th Amendment clarifies what happens if the president becomes disabled.
If President cannot complete his term, the V.P. becomes President
If V.P. office is vacant, the President appoints one with Senate approval.
RICHARD NIXON & 25th
Nixon elected 1968 & 19721ST V. P. Spiro Agnew resigned b/c of income
tax evasionNixon appointed Gerald Ford VPNixon Resigned b/c of Watergate scandal Ford is PresidentFord appoints Nelson Rockefeller VP
Richard Nixon
Watergate
http://watergate.info/
Rise of Political Parties
No Parties in Constitution1796 J. Adams-Federalist T. Jefferson-Republican
Adams Pres- won most Elector votesJefferson-VP- 2nd most
Thomas Jefferson-- Aaron Burr
Election of 1800
Adams vs. JeffersonChose V.P. candidates to run with
themAdams---Thomas PinkneyJefferson—Aaron BurrElectors voted twice. Jefferson and
Burr tied. Who is President?
Tie Goes to the House
House votes 35 times. Hamilton convinces them to vote for Jefferson.
Jefferson becomes 3rd PresidentAaron Burr is V.P. Later Burr will kill Hamilton in a duel.
Changes in Presidential Elections
1. Candidates select running mates.
2. Electors pledged to parties, not candidates; They vote for PARTY.
3. 12th Amendment added—Electors designate their vote as Pres. or V.P.
The Electoral College
Each state will have electors = to the number of senators + representatives given to that state
Electors may not hold any other office Electors will be appointed by state
legislatureElectors will determine the president
and vice-president
2010 Census
Amendment
23rd Amendment gave the District of Columbia 3 electors
Total 435+100+3=538 Elector votes
Jimmy Carter-Oval office
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
PresidentFather-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
Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief of the Armed ForcesCommander in Chief of the state militias
(now the National Guard)Commission all officersConstitution gives Congress the power to
declare war, but presidents can commit troops and equipment in conflicts
War Powers Resolution
President must consult w/ Congress before introducing armed forces into hostilities
Consult with Congress regularly until troops removed
If war not declared, President must submit report to Congress within 48 hours of troop deployment
President must remove troops after 60 days (+30 days for withdrawal) if Congress has not declared war
Party Leader
Presidents can offer party candidates support and punishment by withholding favors.
Presidential coattails occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because they support the president.
Legislative Leader
Gives a State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress each year. The most important speech the president gives to
Congress. This is where he outlines his legislative agenda for Congress.
Can use his veto power to prevent legislation. Can influence Congress by: bargaining,
making personal appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities, etc.
Economic Leader
Plans the federal budgetDevelops programs to help support and grow
the U.S. economy through the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor
Head of State
The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of all Americans
Represents the United States at ceremonial functions (medal ceremonies, lighting of the Christmas tree…)
Meets with and greets foreign leaders (kings, queens, prime ministers, ect.)
Chief Executive
Most important role of the PresidentActs as boss of federal government workers in 15 executive departments.
These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law.
The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him.
Example: Holding cabinet meetings and appointing federal officials.
Chief Executive
Can issue executive orders – rules and commands that have the force of lawFalls under the constitutional duty to “take care
that the laws are faithfully executed.”Can appoint judges to the Supreme CourtCan grant pardons – declares forgiveness and
freedom from punishmentCan issue reprieves – delays a person’s
punishmentCan grant anmesty – a pardon towards a group of
people
Chief Diplomat
Directs the foreign policy of the U. S.Negotiates treaties with other countries
must be approved by the SenateAppoints ambassadors to represent the U.S.
in other countriesMay negotiate for peace between other
countriesLead U.S. allies in defense & economic issues
Separation of Powers
Powers Shared w/ Senate
Make Treaties
Appoint Ambassadors, Judges, & high officials
Powers shared w/ Congress
Approve legislation
Presidential Leadership of Congress: The Politics of Shared Powers
Presidential Powers
The Expansion of Power Presidents may develop new roles for the office Presidents may expand the power of the office
Perspectives on Presidential Power Through the 50’s & 60’s a powerful President was
perceived as good. From the 70’s on, presidential power was checked and
distrusted by the public.
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
1. What is happening in this cartoon?Three speakers are evaluating a glass with liquid in it. The optimist and pessimist describe it as “half full” and “half empty,” respectively, but the administration spokesperson describes it as both—and finds a way to promote the president at the same time.
2. Which side does the administration spokesperson support? Explain.
The administration spokesperson supports the president, as shown in his linking the president with the “half full” view and speaking of the president’s “tireless efforts.”
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity
3. Is the administration spokesperson an objective judge? What biases might he have?
The administration spokesperson cannot be objective, because he is employed to support the president. He probably has biases that favor executive policies and treat other points of view as obstacles or even enemies.
The Oval Office
White House Office
“West Wing”Closest to the Pres. #1 person is Chief of StaffPress SecretaryMany others with various names—Who is
closest to the Oval Office?
Removal of President
The president and vice president may be removed from office upon conviction of impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors
Which two presidents have been impeached?Andrew Johnson & Bill Clinton
Title: "Bill Clinton's Christmas present from the U.S. House."
Artist: John PritchettDate: unknownSource: http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/gift.htm
Removal of President
What were the outcomes of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson?
Remember - Reconstruction President who was in a fight with his own party over handling of former slave states, which led to his successful impeachment.
The powers of the presidency were secured against Congressional interference (separation of powers)