The Executive Branch

GPS SSCG12 The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief executive, chief agenda setter, representative of the nation, chief of state, foreign policy leader, and party leader. SSCG12 The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States; include Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chief executive, chief agenda setter, representative of the nation, chief of state, foreign policy leader, and party leader.

GPS SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the United States. SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the United States. Explain the written qualifications for President of the United States. Explain the written qualifications for President of the United States. Describe unwritten qualifications common to past presidents. Describe unwritten qualifications common to past presidents.

GPS SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials. SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials. Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution. Explain the impeachment process as defined in the U.S. Constitution. Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Describe the impeachment proceedings of Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

GPS SSCG15 The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy. SSCG15 The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy. Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies. Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies. Explain the functions of the Cabinet. Explain the functions of the Cabinet.

GPS SSCG20 The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military, and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions; and military intervention). SSCG20 The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy; economic, military, and humanitarian aid; treaties; sanctions; and military intervention).

The President of the United States Barack H. Obama II 44 th President, elected in 2008 Senator from Illinois Democrat

Presidential Qualifications The Constitution sets 3 requirements for the president: The Constitution sets 3 requirements for the president: 1. a candidate must be a natural-born citizen 2. at least 35 years old 3. a resident of the United States for 14 years Experience in government, college educated, and military experience are unwritten requirements. Experience in government, college educated, and military experience are unwritten requirements.

Duties of the President Constitutional Duties of the President: Constitutional Duties of the President: - make sure the national laws are fully executed; - serve as commander in chief of the armed forces; - appoint top officials, federal judges, and ambassadors; - meet with heads of foreign governments.

President’s Term and Salary The 22 nd Amendment limits to two terms. Before this, George Washington set a precedent of two presidential terms. FDR was the only president elected to more than 2 terms – he was elected 4 times.( max is 10 years now) The 22 nd Amendment limits to two terms. Before this, George Washington set a precedent of two presidential terms. FDR was the only president elected to more than 2 terms – he was elected 4 times.( max is 10 years now) Congress determines the president’s salary ($400,000 beginning in 2001); Congress determines the president’s salary ($400,000 beginning in 2001); Benefits are provided for presidents while in office and in retirement. Benefits are provided for presidents while in office and in retirement.

Compensation Salary $400,000(2001) Salary $400,000(2001) $50,000 for expenses $50,000 for expenses $100,000 for travel $100,000 for travel White House 132 rooms and office White House 132 rooms and office Camp David Resort Medical & Dental Care Secret service protection- 10 years after leaving office Pension Transportation

Presidential Succession The 25 th Amendment established the order of succession to the presidency: The 25 th Amendment established the order of succession to the presidency: vice president vice president Speaker of the House Speaker of the House president pro tempore of the Senate president pro tempore of the Senate secretary of state secretary of state other cabinet members (based on year cabinet was added) other cabinet members (based on year cabinet was added) The 25 th Amendment also set forth rules to be followed if a president becomes disabled and spelled out what happens when the vice presidency is vacant. The 25 th Amendment also set forth rules to be followed if a president becomes disabled and spelled out what happens when the vice presidency is vacant.

RICHARD NIXON & 25th Nixon elected 1968 & 1972 Nixon elected 1968 & ST V. P. Spiro Agnew resigned because of income tax evasion 1 ST V. P. Spiro Agnew resigned because of income tax evasion Nixon appointed Gerald Ford VP Nixon appointed Gerald Ford VP Nixon Resigned because of Watergate scandal Nixon Resigned because of Watergate scandal Ford is President Ford is President Ford appoints Nelson Rockefeller VP Ford appoints Nelson Rockefeller VP

Presidential Succession Two conditions under which a vice president becomes acting president: Two conditions under which a vice president becomes acting president: 1. If the President informs Congress of an inability to perform duties of office. 2. If Vice-President and a majority of the Cabinet (or another body) authorized by law informs Congress that the President is disabled.

Presidential Succession

The Vice President Joe Biden 47 th Vice President of the United States Former Senator for Delaware Democrat

The Vice President’s Role  Two duties: 1. Presides over the Senate and votes in case of a tie 2. Helps decide if the President is disabled  Work load depends on the duties assigned by the President

Electing our President Electoral Process

So you want to be President….

What is the Process? Step One: you have to earn the nomination of your party. To get that nomination – you have to win several Primary elections. Step One: you have to earn the nomination of your party. To get that nomination – you have to win several Primary elections. Republicans run against each other to decide who the best candidate is to represent their party. Republicans run against each other to decide who the best candidate is to represent their party. Democrats follow the same procedure. Democrats follow the same procedure. The Constitution does not mention how Presidential candidates should be nominated. The Constitution does not mention how Presidential candidates should be nominated.

Step Two: National Convention During the convention, the delegates cast votes for the candidate who won their particular state. The number of delegates per state is based on population. The candidate who receives an absolute majority of votes from the delegates receives the party’s nomination. During the convention, the delegates cast votes for the candidate who won their particular state. The number of delegates per state is based on population. The candidate who receives an absolute majority of votes from the delegates receives the party’s nomination. Conduct official party business – set the platform – party’s positions on issues. Conduct official party business – set the platform – party’s positions on issues. Try to unify the party for the campaign against the other party’s nominee. Try to unify the party for the campaign against the other party’s nominee.

Step Three: Campaign After the conventions – the two remaining candidates face off against each other during several months of campaigning. After the conventions – the two remaining candidates face off against each other during several months of campaigning. They often tour the country, give speeches, attend rallies, and participate in debates. They often tour the country, give speeches, attend rallies, and participate in debates. Advertising campaigns try to persuade the voter in their favor. These campaigns cost millions of dollars. Advertising campaigns try to persuade the voter in their favor. These campaigns cost millions of dollars.

Step Four: The Election Election day is …Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Election day is …Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The GENERAL ELECTION is held to choose the President. The GENERAL ELECTION is held to choose the President. This is the popular vote of the electorate. This is the popular vote of the electorate.

Electoral College Electors cast their votes based on the popular vote in each state. The candidate who receives the most votes from a state gets all of the electoral votes from that state. Only Maine and Nebraska split the electors. Electors cast their votes based on the popular vote in each state. The candidate who receives the most votes from a state gets all of the electoral votes from that state. Only Maine and Nebraska split the electors. Each state has the same number of electors as it has senators and representatives. Each state has the same number of electors as it has senators and representatives. 538 electoral votes are available (3 for DC), a candidate needs 270 to win the office 538 electoral votes are available (3 for DC), a candidate needs 270 to win the office

What about a tie? Should no presidential candidate receive an absolute majority (270 electoral votes), the House of Representatives determines who the next president will be from the top three candidates. Should no presidential candidate receive an absolute majority (270 electoral votes), the House of Representatives determines who the next president will be from the top three candidates. Each state may cast one vote and an absolute majority (26 votes) is needed to win. Each state may cast one vote and an absolute majority (26 votes) is needed to win. The Senate decides who the next Vice President will be if there is no absolute majority in the Electoral College vote. The Senate decides who the next Vice President will be if there is no absolute majority in the Electoral College vote. The Founders believed that the Electoral College would never make a clear choice and that the House of Representatives would ultimately choose the president. The Founders believed that the Electoral College would never make a clear choice and that the House of Representatives would ultimately choose the president.

Criticisms of the Electoral College 1. A candidate can actually win the popular vote and still lose the election. (this has occurred 4 times – J.Q. Adams in 1824, R. Hayes in 1876, B. Harrison in 1888, and G.W. Bush in 2000). 2. A strong third party candidate could keep a candidate from winning the number of votes needed for election.

Selection of the Cabinet The president must consider whether potential cabinet members’ backgrounds suit their cabinet posts, whether they bring geographical balance to the cabinet, whether they satisfy interest groups, whether they have high- level administrative skills, and whether they include ethnic and racial minorities and women. The president must consider whether potential cabinet members’ backgrounds suit their cabinet posts, whether they bring geographical balance to the cabinet, whether they satisfy interest groups, whether they have high- level administrative skills, and whether they include ethnic and racial minorities and women. The Senate must approve cabinet appointees, and it usually does so out of courtesy to the president. The Senate must approve cabinet appointees, and it usually does so out of courtesy to the president. There are 15 major executive departments in the Cabinet There are 15 major executive departments in the Cabinet

Role of the Cabinet  Cabinet members are heads of the executive departments. Influence the president’s decisions on matters related to their departments’ areas of interest. Influence the president’s decisions on matters related to their departments’ areas of interest. Certain cabinet members—the secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury, plus the Attorney General—form the “inner cabinet” Certain cabinet members—the secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury, plus the Attorney General—form the “inner cabinet”

The White House Office The president appoints White House staff without Senate confirmation. The president appoints White House staff without Senate confirmation. The White House staff perform whatever duties the president assigns them: The White House staff perform whatever duties the president assigns them: 1. gathering information and providing advice on key issues; 2. ensuring that executive departments and agencies carry out key directives from the president; 3. presenting the president’s views to the outside world; 4. deciding who and what information gets through to the president.

All the living Presidents