EXECUTIVE BRANCH Topics 5.1 & 5.2 Guiding Question: Does the current electoral process result in the best candidates for president?

STANDARDS USG.3.12 Analyze the functions of major departments of the executive branch in the United States and in Indiana.

LEARNING TARGETS I can describe the roles played by and the necessary qualifications of the President of the United States. I can describe what happens if the President is unable to perform his/her duties.

A HARD JOB TO DO WELL… Herman Cain (born December 13, 1945) is an American author, business executive, radio host, syndicated columnist, and Tea Party activist from Georgia. He was a candidate for the 2012 U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination. Check out how he handles this interview: Herman Cain Interview (5:15)Herman Cain Interview Turn & Talk: Did Mr. Cain exhibit “Presidential Qualities” in his interview? Why or why not?

CONSTITUTION Seeks to remedy weakness of Articles Article II- symbolizes fear of tyranny

THINGS TO CONSIDER Should a president be able to make quick decisions? How much should they rely on the opinion of others? Should they have military experience? Do they need previous political experience? Do you need to like the president? Should the president be someone you can trust? Do they need to be good looking? How should they lead?

THE PRESIDENT’S JOB DESCRIPTION Learning Target: I can describe the roles played by and the necessary qualifications of the President of the United States.

DRAW A DEPICTION OF YOUR IDEAL PRESIDENT. Also list the characteristics that you believe this drawing demonstrates. You have 15 minutes!

HOW MANY OF YOUR TOP 3 OR THE “IDEAL PRESIDENT” HAD MANY OF THESE CHARACTERISTICS? Public Persuasion Moral Authority Relations with Congress Crisis Leadership International Relations Vision/Setting an Agenda Performance within the context of time Economic Management Administrative Skills Pursued Equal Justice for All

SHARED TRAITS OF INFLUENTIAL PRESIDENTS Persuasive with Congress, the Public, and Press Perceived as having strong leadership Active-involved Building the Perfect President… (11:35) Take notes! What are the traits of a perfect president!

INFORMAL REQUIREMENTS Older Experience Education Socioeconomic Member of 1 of the 2 major parties Communication skills Perception of knowledge/ awareness Male?????????? White????????? Protestant (Which President was Catholic?) Married (Why?) Photogenic Character

FORMAL REQUIREMENTS 35 years old U.S. resident 14 years Natural born citizen

ROLES Expectations and Constitution force the President to play a variety of roles. Very difficult. Turn & Talk: What characteristics would you consider necessary for a president to have? Why?

FORMAL ROLES Chief of State – ceremonial head of state “The personal embodiment and representative of their [the American peoples’] dignity and majesty.” Chief Executive – broad executive power Chief Administrator – manages the executive branch (employs 2.7 million citizens) Chief Diplomat – main architect of foreign policy Commander in Chief – head of armed forces (1.4 million soldiers/sailors/Marines) Chief Legislator – sets overall shape of congressional agenda Chief of Party – chief of the party in power Chief Citizen – champion of public interests Turn and Talk: Which is the most important presidential role? Why?

CRASH COURSE GOVERNMENT AND POLICY (6:29) Please complete the graphic organizer. Pay attention this moves quickly!

PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION AND THE VICE PRESIDENCY Learning Target: I can describe what happens if the President is unable to perform his/her duties.

CAUSES OF PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION & “THE PLAN” (In accordance with the 25 th Amendment of the USC (1967)) Disability (incapacitated)  VP (until the disability no longer exists) Death  VP Resignation  VP Impeachment  VP Next… (In accordance with the Presidential Succession Act of 1964) Speaker of the House President Pro Tem of the Senate Secretary of State Each of the 14 other Cabinet Heads in order of precedence (the order in which they were created by congress.

TERMS 22 nd Amendment  2 terms (10 total years if a Vice President assumes power)

VICE PRESIDENCY “IN THIS I AM NOTHING, BUT MAY BE EVERYTHING.” – JOHN ADAMS Roles Presides over the Senate Helps decide the issue of Presidential disability “President in waiting” Usually selected to “Balance the ticket” Succession controlled by 25 th Amendment USC (1967) If office is vacant the president nominates a new VP who must be confirmed by majority vote in both houses of congress.

FIRST LADY No formal powers. Openly involved in political issues. Champions of many causes.

ACTIVITY What does it take to be president? Working with your partner, please read and answer the questions and short passages included in the activity. Be prepared to discuss your answers as a class.