CHAPTER 13 QUESTIONS

Question #1 List and describe the eight roles of the Presidency: 1. Chief of State: Symbolic leader for state dinners and other formal functions (receives foreign leaders) 2. Chief Executive: He submits a budget and is tasked with ensuring that government runs effectively and efficiently 3. Chief Administrator: He manages the federal bureaucracy and the organization of its millions of personnel 4. Chief Diplomat: Our top foreign affairs representative when dealing with other countries 5. Commander-in-Chief: He commands our armed forces (“Commander-in-Chief” clause of Constitution) ensuring civilian control of the military 6. Chief Legislator: He submits to Congress and promotes among the American people new public policies (health care reform, minimum wage increase). 7. Chief of Party: He is the leader of his political party and heavily influences its agenda, rules, procedures, and messaging 8. Chief Citizen: He is a model citizen and is supposed to embody the good behaviors we expect to be exhibited by good citizens (for example: family man, sports enthusiast, church attendee, etc.)

Question #2 What are the three formal qualifications to be President? 1. At least 35 years of age 2. A “natural born” citizen 3. Has lived in the U.S. for no less than 14 years

Question #3 Describe the term, pay, and benefits of the President: 4 year term $400,000 yearly salary $50,000 in yearly expenses Air Force One Camp David Secret Service Protection Etc.

Question #4 Read the Nixon v. Fitzgerald case on page 385. Answer question #3. “Predict the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on other situations in which a President might be sued.” The President would be less likely to make tough decisions if he was afraid that he might be sued for them. The President must be able to act both quickly and decisively without worry about personal retribution for the effects of his official actions.

Question #5 Describe Presidential Succession. Presidential Succession is the order in which others would “succeed” the President in the event of his death or disability. Vice President Speaker of the House of Representatives President Pro-Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Goes through the entire Cabinet in the order that each executive department was founded (Secretary of Homeland Security is the most recent addition).

Question #6 Describe the 25 th Amendment. Clarified Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 stipulating that the Vice President shall become President if the President dies or resigns. Provides for filling the vacancy of the VP (President appoints, both houses of Congress approve) President states to House Speaker and Senate Pro Temp that he cannot perform duties, VP takes over VP and majority of executive officers with 2/3 of both Houses if they think President can’t resume duties.

Question #7 Why did the Framers choose to use the Electoral College? The Framers did not trust the masses Allowed a buffer between the people and the selection of who would fill a position as important as the Presidency

Question #8 Describe why the 12 th Amendment became necessary. There was a tie in the 1800 Presidential election between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Until the 12 th Amendment, the candidate with the most votes became President, the runner-up became Vice President The 12 th Amendment split the ballot, allowing people to vote for the President and Vice President separately The parties now combine them, but technically the votes are cast separately. The House of Representatives decides Presidential winner if no one has a majority of the Electoral votes (1 vote per state delegation). The Senate decides the Vice Presidential winner if no one has the majority of the Electoral votes.

Question #9 Describe the main events of the Presidential primary campaign. Early primaries (New Hampshire) and caucuses (Iowa). The states hold their primaries over the first 5-6 months of the year. Some dates have many of the more populous states holding primaries on the same date (Super Tuesday). Candidates collect “delegates” from the primaries. Delegates will then go the party’s respective national convention and support whatever candidate they have been pledged to support.

Question #10 What occurs at the National Convention. In August of the Presidential Election, the parties will hold national conventions In 2012, the Democratic Party held their national convention in Charlotte, NC In 2012, the Republican Party held their national convention in Tampa Bay, FL Delegates select the party’s candidate Keynote speaker The national convention serves as a political rally for the parties Convention “bump” in the polls

Question #11 Describe how the Electoral College works. Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its number of Representatives in the House of Representatives + its 2 Senators Virginia (11 House Members + 2 Senators = 13 electoral votes) 538 total votes available. 435 Representatives Senators + 3 DC votes (granted by 23 rd Amendment) 270 votes to win (magic number) What happens in the event of a tie?