The Executive Branch
The Presidency
Objectives
1. Know the eligibility for office, length of term and the oath of office.
2. Know how presidents are elected.
3. Know the enumerated powers of the executive branch.
4. Know how they are removed from office.
Qualifications
• 35 Years of Age• Natural Born Citizen• U.S. Resident for at
least 14 years.• 4 Year Term• Limited to 2 terms
• Honesty/Integrity• Leadership Ability• Understanding of
foreign and domestic policy
Formal Informal
The Vice-Presidency
• Qualifications:– Same as for the President
• Duties:– Assume the Presidency when needed– Ceremonial President of the Senate
• Can only cast a vote to break a tie
Oath of Office
• I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
• Article II, Section 1
Presidential Selection
• “The extent of the country makes it impossible that the people can have the requisite capacity to judge of the respective pretensions of the Candidates.”
» George Mason, Representative of Virginia
Presidential Selection
• Electoral College– 1 elector per representative per state– Method of appointment defined by state
legislatures• Originally chosen by state legislatures• Now by popular vote
Example: California
Senators 2
House + 52
Total Reps 54 = 54 Electors
Presidential Roles
• Head of State– Appoint officials with consent
of the senate
– Represent the U.S. in all ceremonial functions
– Grant pardons and reprieves
• Chief Executive– Ensure that laws are faithfully
executed
– Grant approval of laws
• Chief Administrator– Administer the government
Presidential Roles (continued)
• Chief Diplomat– Make treaties with consent of 2/3
of senate– Create and pursue foreign policy
• Chief Legislator– Make policy recommendations to
Congress– Set legislative agendas– Convene both or either houses of
Congress
• Commander in Chief – Commands Army, Navy, Marines,
Air Force, and Coast Guard– Call forth and command the
states’ militias in times of national crisis
Additional Roles
• Chief Citizen– Represent the public interest– Serve as a role model– Provide moral leadership using
the “Bully Pulpit”
• Chief of Party– Build consensus within party– Set policy goals– Support party candidates seeking
election
Pay and Benefits
• Compensation– $400,000 Salary
– $50,000 Expense Allowance
– Excellent Healthcare
• White House• Air Force One• Camp David
Removal from Office
• The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
– Article II, Section 4President
Accused of Crime.
Impeachment Trial in
House of RepresentativesTrial in Senate
Acquitted
Removed from Office
Sufficient Evidence for Trial?
Yes
No
Review
• What are the qualifications to be president?
• How are presidents elected?
• Name three powers granted to the President.
• For what reasons can the president be removed from office?
