Last set of notes for this chapter! The Executive Office and the Vice President

 The OMB assists the president in – Preparing the annual budget – Clearing and coordinating department agency budgets – Supervising the administration of the federal budget  Director makes up federal budget that will be proposed by the president to Congress  Remember, all agencies must submit their proposed budget to the OMB for approval The Office of Management and Budget:

 Is a key link between the president’s key foreign and military advisers and president  Includes the – President – Vice President – Secretaries State and Defense – Plus other informal members The National Security Council:

 The president has created positions within the Executive Office that were focused on one special policy area  Most of them have been appointments that do not require Senate confirmation – Last as long as that president  With all of the councils, cabinet departments, or agencies, why does the president need someone else to oversee government activity? – Special expertise on that area, as well as the ability to coordinate the efforts of all other government agencies, who have some authority on that issue Policy Tsars:

Who do agencies have to submit their budget to?

The Office of Management and Budget

 Individuals named to these positions are often well-regarded experts who can bring an outsider’s point of view  Examples include health care reform, climate change, and urban initiatives Policy Tsars:

 Only formal duty is to preside over the Senate, which is rarely necessary – Break ties  Vice presidents have traditionally been chosen by presidential nominees to – Balance the ticket to attract groups or voters or appease party factions  If you are running for president, it is a good idea to pick someone who has an opposite background of you – For example, if you are from the North, it could be a good idea to pick someone from the South The Vice President:

 Also, it is a good idea to select a vice president that shores up an weaknesses you may have – For example, George W. Bush, who was subject to criticism for his lack of federal government experience, chose Dick Cheney, a former member of Congress – Another example is Barack Obama’s selection of Joe Biden  Add experience of foreign policy Strengthening the Ticket:

Traditionally, what type of vice presidents have been chosen by presidential nominees?

To balance the ticket to attract more voters and to appease party factions

 VP’s job not particularly demanding  Typically, spend their time supporting the president’s activities  Some have had more influence – For example, Al Gore, Clinton’s VP, did much to strengthen the position by his aggressive support for environmental protection policies on a global basis  Also, he took a special interest in areas of emerging technology and lobbied Congress to provide more subsidies to public schools for internet use  VP’s have been elected president Supporting the President:

 Eight vice president’s have become president because of the death of the president – John Tyler was the first – He took over for William Henry Harrison, who died after one month in office – Led to a debate  Should Tyler be a caretaker until a new president is elected or should he actually be president  He acted like the president  Since Tyler, VPs that take over the position of president assume presidential power Presidential Succession:

 Many presidents enter pact with VP, where VP can determine if the president is incapable of carrying out duties  Twenty-fifth Amendment – A 1967 amendment to the Constitution that establishes procedures for filling presidential and vice presidential vacancies and makes provisions for presidential disability Presidential Succession:

When John Tyler became president, what was an issue of debate for people?

Should he use presidential power or be a caretaker until a new president was elected

 If the president feels that he or she cannot perform his or her duties, they must inform Congress in writing  The VP then serves as acting president until the president can resume normal duties  If president cannot communicate this matter, the majority of the cabinet and the VP can declare this fact to Congress  If dispute occurs over the return of the president’s ability, a 2/3 vote of Congress is required to decide whether the VP should continue or the whether the president shall resume normal duties  George W. Bush was the first president to formally invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment – Just for 20 minutes The Twenty-fifth Amendment:

 Twenty-fifth Amendment also addresses this issue  “Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress”  This is exactly what happened, when Richard Nixon’s VP resigned – He appointed Gerald Ford  When Nixon resigned, Ford became president and he had a appoint a new VP – First time in the nation’s history that we had a president and vice president not elected to those positions When the Vice Presidency Becomes Vacant:

Presidential Succession:

If there is a dispute over the return of the president, what happens?

A 2/3 vote of Congress is required to decide whether the VP should continue or the whether the president shall resume normal duties