THE PRESIDENCY

Chapter 8

Objectives

Describe the duties and qualifications of the President of the United States.

Identify the president’s line of succession. Describe the role of the Vice President.

Explain the process of electing the president. Electoral College

Examine the role of the president’s cabinet. Identify the Executive Office of the

President (EOP).

Duties of the President

Commander in Chief Oversees the 4 branches of the military. Manages a defense budget:

2004: almost $400 billion 2010: almost $700 billion

Appointments With consent of Senate. Appoints:

Heads of executive depts. Federal court judges

Duties of the President

Foreign Policy Makes treaties

Advice and consent of Senate. Meets heads of state Host foreign officials Appoints ambassadors of U.S.

Executing the Law Ensures that all laws of the United States are

“faithfully executed.” (Constitution) May pardon people convicted of federal crimes

Except in cases of impeachment.

Duties of the President

Proposing policy changes The president’s lawmaking power State of the Union

Ceremonial Head of State Hosts kings, queens, and

other government leaders. Lights national Christmas tree. Giving awards and medals. Public service statements.

Term and Salary

22nd Amendment (1951) Limited president to 2 terms* 1 term = 4 years

Salary The amount of compensation is a matter

for Congress to determine. 1969-2001: $200,000 1999, Congress raised salary to $400,000. Congress cannot increase salary during

president’s term

Benefits

Travel allowance $100,000 a year.

Air Force One, helicopters, limousines, etc. Free medical, dental, and health care White House

132 room mansion Domestic staff

Retirement Pension: $148,400 a year

Presidential Qualifications Constitutional Requirements:

Article II, Section 1 Natural-born citizen of U.S. At least 35 years old Resident of U.S. for at least 14 years

Informal Requirements: Government experience

Experience in government is an important qualification for the presidency.

Presidential Qualifications

Informal Requirements Money

Running for president requires using one’s own personal finances.

Campaign spending requires tens of millions of dollars.

Campaign Reform Act of 2000 Political Beliefs

Candidates usually hold moderate positions on most issues.

Presidential Qualifications

Informal Requirements: Personal Characteristics

Presidents generally have been white, married, Protestant, financially successful men.

No women or persons of Hispanic or Asian ancestry have been president.

Personal Growth Requires immense responsibility and difficult

decisions.

Presidential Succession

Line of Presidential Succession 25th Amendment Succession Act of 1947 established:

Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Sec. of State Sec. of the Treasury Sec. of Defense Attorney General Sec. of the Interior

Current Line of Succession

Vice President’s Role

Duties Preside over the Senate and votes in case of a

tie Helps decide whether the president is disabled

and acts as president should that happen. Modern Responsibilities

V.P. responsibilities have increased overtime. Salary: $208,100

Influence?

Stress?

Electing the President

Original System Article II, Section 1 establishes Electoral

College Each state would choose electors according to

a method the state legislatures set up. Each state had as many electors as it had

senators and representatives. Electors would meet in their states and cast

votes for two presidential candidates. Known as electoral vote No popular vote

If tie or no majority, House of Representatives would choose president. Each state had one vote.

Electing the President

Impact of Political Parties Election of 1800:

Jefferson and Burr had 73 electoral votes Went to House of Representatives

Led to the 12th amendment which reformed the process.

In the 1820s states began to place presidential candidates on the ballot. Electors chosen by popular vote.

Electoral College System Today The Electoral College system adapted to the

growth of democracy. Voters are not actually voting for the POTUS

and V.P. They are voting for all of their party’s electors in

their state. EC includes 538 electors

435 HR members 100 Senators 3 for D.C.

Electoral College System Today A majority of electoral votes is needed to win

270- magic number EC is a winner-take-all system

Candidate winning the largest popular vote wins the electoral votes of the state.

Except Maine and Nebraska Most states do not legally require electors to

vote for candidate who wins popular vote.

Electoral College 2008

Electoral College Issues

Winner Take All Unfair to those who vote for losing

candidate. Bush v. Gore (p. 225)

Third-Party Candidates Could prevent major-party

candidates from receiving a majority of the votes.

Election by the House

V.

Ideas for Reform

Ideas:1. Choose electors from congressional

districts.2. Candidates could win a portion of the

states electoral votes. 3. Direct election of the president and vice

president.

Inauguration

The popular election takes place on the Tuesday following the first Monday in Nov.

New president is sworn in and takes office at noon on Jan. 20th.

Oath: “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.” (Art. II, Section 8)

The Cabinet

Cabinet: 15 secretaries of the executive departments, the vice president, and other top officials that help the president make decisions and policy.

The Cabinet

Selection of the Cabinet Background compatible with the dept. he or

she will head. POTUS’s need to satisfy powerful interest

groups Administrative skills and experience POTUS considers the race, gender, and

ethnic background of candidates. Obstacles:

The pay, work, and life in Washington politics: unattractive

The Cabinet

Background of Cabinet Members: College graduates Leaders in the fields of business, industry,

law, science, and education. Cabinet secretaries earn $161, 200 per

year. Nominations and Confirmations:

Senate confirmation hearings Answer questions about background and views

Appointments are not automatic

The Cabinet

Role of the Cabinet The Cabinet in History

The role has depended on how each president wanted to define it.

The Modern Cabinet Recent presidents have attempted to increase

the role of the cabinet; however, most have turned elsewhere for advice.

Inner cabinet: secretaries of state, defense, treasury, and the

attorney general

The Cabinet

Factors limiting the Cabinet’s Role Conflicting Loyalties

No president commands the complete loyalty of the cabinet members.

Secrecy and Trust Presidents want people they know and trust. However, most presidents have appointed

relative strangers to head their departments.

The Executive Office of the Pres. (EOP) Executive Office Agencies

Consists of individuals and agencies that directly assist the president.

EOP has 1500 full-time employees EOP Growth

Every president reorganizes it in response to various problems.

Presidents want experts available to advise them on different issues.

EOP

EOP Growth (continued) EOP staff members have been added to help

executive departments and agencies work together. Office of Management and Budget

Prepares the national budget that the president proposes to Congress.

OMB makes recommendations on where the president should make cuts in the budget

Central clearance: the review of all the legislative proposals that the executive agencies prepare.

EOP

National Security Council (NSC) Advises the president and helps coordinate

American military and foreign policy. Homeland Security Council

Coordinates all federal agencies working to counter terrorism.

Develops a national strategy to protect the U.S. from future terrorist attacks.

Council of Economic Advisors The Council assesses the nation’s economic health,

predicts future economic conditions, and aids other executive agencies involved in economic planning.

The White House Office

The White House Office

The nation’s first presidents had no personal staff

Organization and Growth: POTUS appoints White House staff without

Senate confirmation. Key aides usually personal supporters of POTUS. White House is the most important part of EOP. Inner circle: chief of staff, deputy chief of staff,

White House counsel, and press secretary

The White House Office

Duties of the White House Staff: WH aides perform whatever duties the

president assigns them. WH Office gathers information and provides

advice on key issues. Top staff members work as enforcers for

the president.

The White House Office

Duties of the White House Staff: Some WH staffers present the president’s

views to the outside world. Press secretary

Some staff members work directly with members of Congress.

Key aides decide who and what gets through to the POTUS.