From Chief Clerk to Chief Policy Maker

 1. Chief of state ◦ He both reigns and rules ◦ Ceremonial head of government ◦ Pardon powers  2. Chief executive ◦ Given broad powers to execute laws of United States both domestically and abroad ◦ Nominates over 3,000 people for various executive level posts, but dependent on Senate approval

 3. Chief administrator ◦ Heads one of the largest governments in world ◦ He directs an administration of 2.7 million people + and a budget of $3 trillion  4. Chief diplomat ◦ Architect of American foreign policy ◦ Makes treaties with Senate approval (Treaty of Versailles); makes executive agreements which don’t need Senate approval (destroyers for bases)

 5. Commander in Chief ◦ A civilian in charge of the military ◦ Oversees 1.4 million soldiers and sailors and subject to is immediate and direct control ◦ Many undeclared wars ◦ War Powers Resolution of 1973

 6. Chief legislator ◦ Helps set the congressional agenda ◦ Includes his power to veto legislation  Line-item veto (declared unconstitutional) ◦ Executive orders: a directive with the effect of law  Congress can’t do it all

 7. Chief of the party ◦ Unofficial head of the political party that controls the White House  8. Chief citizen ◦ The representative of all the people ◦ He works for and represents the public interests

 White House: 132 room mansion on 18.3 acres  Air Force One; fleet of cars; Camp David

The Executive Branch Inner Cabinet: V-P, NSA, State, Defense, A-G, Treasury Cabinet is independent of president and each other; advisors to president; position by patronage, tradition says the president must meet with them

Executive Branch continued “runs” government; heads of agencies chosen by president, but can’t be fired by him

Agencies that perform management tasks; give advice to president Make budgetAdvise president on security matters Advise president on the economy

Gatekeeper Friend and advisor to president

 Constitutionally—President of the Senate; decide questions of presidential disability  Today used to “balance the ticket” and has become a useful advisor to the President “I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything.” the Vice Presidency is not “an entity within the executive branch.”

 Constitutional requirements ◦ Natural born citizen ◦ 35 years of age ◦ US resident for 14 years ◦ Serve 2 terms (22 nd amendment) ◦ Impeached by House for “high crimes or misdemeanors”, trial in Senate (only 2 impeached)  Unwritten requirements ◦ White males ◦ Protestant ◦ Paid $400,000/year; $50,000 ◦ Spending allowance

 The Vice President Dick CheneyDick Cheney  Speaker of the House Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi  President pro tempore of the Senate Robert ByrdRobert Byrd  Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice  Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson  Secretary of Defense Robert Gates  Attorney General Mukasey  Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne  Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns  Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez  Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao  Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt  Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson  Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters  Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman  Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings  Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson  Secretary of Homeland Security Michael ChertoffMichael Chertoff Determined by when each department was created

Appoints heads of government agencies, which approved by the Senate The President appoints federal judges He must give a State of the Union address and can recommend legislation The President can grant pardons to those convicted of federal crimes

Hamilton argues for an energetic president in Federalist 70 ◦ Achieved through unity, duration, adequate provision for support, competent powers ◦ The executive also a product of many compromises. The perception of the President’s power is due mainly to the growth of the mass media, primarily television and radio, as well as the decline in party leadership in Congress