Presidential Power “The four most miserable years of my life were my four years as president” -John Quincy Adams “I’m Glad to be going, this the loneliest place in the World” -William Taft

Views of the Presidency There are two different interpretations on the office of President, 1st is a broad view of A strong central figure, who uses the power of the office to its fullest… 2nd a Narrow View, that the president can only do what is defined in the Constitution In recent years many have criticized strong presidential powers, calling them an “Imperial Presidency”- The president acting w/o seeking the approval of Congress, therefore unaccountable to the American people

Chief Executive As the Chief Exec., the President takes the “Oath of Office”, in which The President swears to enforce and Carry out the federal laws. The Chief Justice of the United States administering the oath to the president on January 20th. “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.”

Presidential Legislative Powers The President delivers 3 messages every year to the Congress –Presidential Budget Request –Annual Economic Report (overviews the nation's economic progress) –State of the Union Address (The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities to Congress)

Presidential Legislative Powers Once congress is able to pass a bill (future hopeful Law) through both houses, the President gets final say on whether it actually becomes a law of not. The President has 4 options once the bill is sent to him –Sign and approve the bill into law –Do nothing and after 10 days the bill becomes law –Veto or Reject the law Congress can overturn a Presidential Veto with a 66% vote in both houses –(Pocket Veto) If congress passes a bill during the last 10 day before recess the Prez can do nothing and the bill disappears

Presidents Judicial Power The President does possess some legal Judicial powers which include –Pardon (is the forgiveness of a crime and the penalty associated with it) –Commutation (the lessening of the penalty of the crime without forgiving the crime itself.) –Reprieve (is the temporary postponement of punishment.)

Impeachment If the president fails to uphold the Oath he may be “Impeached” Impeachment is when the House of Reps charges the government official (Pres) with a crime and the Senate hold a trial and decides if he is Guilty Only two presidents have ever been formally impeached… Can you guess? Andrew Johnson 1868 (Lincolns VP) Bill Clinton 1998 for perjury and obstruction of Justice… Not because of Monica Richard Nixon was not impeached resigned and was pardoned by Gerald Ford before he could be Impeached

The Inauguration Facts Inauguration Day was changed to January 20, from March 4, in 1933 by the passage of the Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution. After the “ Oath of Office, ” The President delivers an Inaugural Address, setting the tone for the new administration. When January 20 is on a Sunday, the president-elect usually takes the oath of office privately and then repeats the ceremony in public on Monday.

Fun Facts George Washington's inauguration was held in New York City on April 30, He is known for giving the shortest inaugural address in history. (135 words) In 1865, Abraham Lincoln was the first president to include African-Americans in his inaugural parade. In 1917, Woodrow Wilson was the first president to include women in his inaugural parade. Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by his father, a notary when the then-Vice President learned of the death of President Warren G. Harding. Bill Clinton's, January 20, 1997, inauguration was the first inauguration to be broadcast live over Internet. President-Elect Barack Obama will be using the Lincoln Bible for his swearing in.