The Presidency—An Introduction

The President's Many Roles Chief of State – the ceremonial head of the government of the United States (the symbol) Chief Executive – vested by the Constitution with “the executive Power.” Very broad in domestic and foreign affairs Chief Administrator – director of the huge executive branch of the Fed. Govt. Oversees roughly 2.7 million civilians and spends nearly $3.8 trillion a year

The President's Many Roles Chief Diplomat – architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesman Chief Legislator – principal author of the nation’s public policies. Sets the overall shape of the congressional agenda Commander in Chief – direct and immediate control of our nation’s military

Chief Citizen – expected to be the representative of all the people. The President's Many Roles Chief Economist – the President is expected to keep a close eye on the nation’s economy. To take immediate and effective action when conditions dictate Chief of Party – Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch Chief Citizen – expected to be the representative of all the people. Take the high road Champion public interest against private interest

War Powers Act (Resolution) Due to President Johnson (Gulf of Tonkin) and President Nixon The President can commit American military forces to combat ONLY: 1) if Congress has declared war 2) if Congress has authorized that action, or 3) when an attack on the nation or its armed forces has occurred (48 Hours, 60 Days)

The President's Many Roles At a meeting with President-elect Obama and former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Carter in 2009, President George W. Bush noted that 'the office itself transcends the individual.'

Qualifications for the Presidency Whatever else a President must be, the Constitution says that he—and likely one day, she—must meet three formal qualifications for office (Article II, Section 1, Clause 5). These qualifications are related to a candidate's citizenship, age, and residency. Citizenship – “a natural born Citizen … of the United States.” Age – a person must “have attained … the Age of 35 years” Residency – a person must, “Have … been 14 years a Resident within the United States.”

Qualifications for the Presidency The Framers set the minimum age requirement for President at 35. Analyze Charts Why do you think the Framers set a minimum age? Do you think there should be a maximum age limit? Why?

FUN FACT Martin Van Buren, born in December 1782, was the first President actually born in the United States. Each of his seven predecessors was born in the colonies before the American Revolution.

The Presidential Term of Office The Framers considered a number of different limits on the length of the presidential term. Most of their debate centered on a four-year term, with the President eligible for reelection, versus a single six-year or seven-year term without being eligible for reelection. They finally settled on a four-year term (Article II, Section 1, Clause 1). They agreed, as Alexander Hamilton wrote in The Federalist No. 71, that four years was a long enough period for a President to have gained experience, demonstrated his abilities, and established stable policies.

The Presidential Term of Office After Franklin Roosevelt was elected President four times, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to limit the number of presidential terms. What are the pros and cons of term limits?

Constitutional Amendments 12th Amendment – changed process for election of President/Vice President 22nd Amendment – Limited the President to two terms 23rd Amendment – Gave Washington D.C. electoral college votes 25th Amendment – set parameters for presidential succession

Presidential Succession and Disability By tradition, one of the people in the line of succession does not attend the President's State of the Union address with the others. Why do you think this is done?

Presidential Succession and Disability Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as President aboard Air Force One, just 38 minutes after the death of President John F. Kennedy.

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