The President: Qualifications & Roles

Civics

Terms and Salary

Two, four-year terms: 22nd Amendment

Pay: $400,000 + annually

Other perks: no expenses, security, speaking fees, memoirs, boards of directors

Introducing President Bill Clinton… (SNL)

Presidential Qualifications: Constitutional Requirements:

1. Natural Born Citizen

2. 35 years old

3. Resident in U.S. for at least 14 years

Are there any “unsaid” qualifications? NOT in Constitution Governmental experience (few

exceptions) Access to raising money! (From $62

million in 2000 to $80 mill. In 2004) Moderate Shared characteristics: white,

Protestant, male, middle-class, mid-age

The importance of Barak Obama’s election:

Talking Stick: Five Passes (after writing down response to this question)“Did the election of Obama break the color boundary for good in the US?

Why or why not?”

Roles of the President Constitutional

powers are both broad and vague

Other powers from tradition

"His High Mightiness, the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties"

What is a Chief Executive?

Chief Executive

Enforces laws, treaties, court decisions, appoints officials, issues executive orders

Checks: Congress’ power of the purse (over b.) Senate can reject appointments (inc.

cabinet & EOP) Impeachment SC can strike down executive orders

Chief Legislator

Proposes legislation Vetoes legislation Calls special session of Congress Checks: Congress doesn’t have to pass it! Congress can override veto! (2/3)

Commander in Chief

Head of Armed Forces Checks: Congress appropriates funds Congress declares war

Chief of State

Ceremonial head of nation

Chief Jurist

Appoints federal judges Issues pardons, reprieves, amnesty Checks: Rejection of judicial appointments “holds” on appointments Filibustering nominations

Chief Diplomat

Appoints and receives ambassadors Sets overall foreign policy Negotiates treaties + Executive agreements! Checks: Congress appropriates funds for

foreign policy Senate can reject appts. and treaties!

Let’s review some of the checks:

Non-Constitutional Roles

Head of political party (selects party’s chairman & VP) Chief Economist (responsible for overall economic

health) (proposes the federal budget)

Roles of the Vice President

Only two Constitutional duties:

1. Preside over the Senate (in case of tie)

2. Take over if the President is disabled

Other Roles of the V. President Standby work

(depends on the Pres!)

More responsibility (Post Eisenhower, ex. NSC)

“The most insignificant office ever conceived”-John Adams