The Presidency

History of the Presidency Functions of government Legislative, executive and judicial Philadelphia Convention (executive) Considered a monarchy (common for the 18th Century) New idea: “presidency” Notion of “elected king”

History of Presidency Requirements: $400,000 annual salary + perks 35 years old Natural born citizen Resident of US for 14 years 4-year term 2 term limit (22nd Amendment) $400,000 annual salary + perks

History of the Presidency Powers Chief executive Appointment Law enforcement Budgeting Executive orders

History of the Presidency Commander-in-chief of military Chief diplomat Chief of state (ceremonial/substantive) Lawmaker Party leader

History of the Presidency Economic leader Opinion leader

Power of the Presidency Presidency has changed/evolved dramatically since 1789 – dominates the American political process Increased size of legislature & politically expedient to defer Change in nature of issues Presidents desired more power

History of the Presidency Impact of presidents George Washington – defined office Thomas Jefferson – party leader Andrew Jackson – people’s voice Abraham Lincoln – leader in crisis Theodore Roosevelt – domestic agenda Franklin Roosevelt- leader in crisis

History of the Presidency John Kennedy – hope Richard Nixon – president in crisis Ronald Reagan – rebuilt office image Barrack Obama – hope (2) – removed racial barrier

Barber Typology http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/414%20presidential_character.htm

The Cabinet The Cabinet http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet

Presidential Succession Lincoln – wide conspiracy On April 14, 1865, at 10:15 PM, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State, William Seward were all slated to die at the hands of Booth and his accomplices,

Presidential Succession Kennedy Assassination – he survived the attack (lost ½ his brain – a vegetable) – only way to replace him would have been impeachment/ removal from office

Presidential Succession Kennedy Assassination led to: 25th Amendment Associated law establishing peacetime succession

Presidential Succession Vice-president Speaker of the House President Pro tempore of the Senate Cabinet (order of creation/Congress)

Presidents & Legislation: options Sign it Don’t sign it (becomes law in 10 working days) Don’t sign it (pocket veto – less than 10 working days) Veto it (2/3 vote of House/Senate to override)

Presidents & Legislation: options Line-item veto (most governors have this power – President Clinton given the power as an experiment – not renewed)

Impeachment Impeach (formally charge with wrong-doing) Impeachment process – charges, trial, possible removal from office

Impeachment House of Representatives Any member of the House can request an investigation 1 or more Articles of Impeachment 2/3 vote to “impeach”/formally charge

Impeachment US Senate Trial in the US Senate Senate membership sits as jury 2/3 vote to affirm 1 or more articles of impeachment – if this occurs, immediate removal from office

Impeachment 3 historic incidents A political process (not a legal one) Andrew Johnson - impeached Richard Nixon - not impeached Bill Clinton – impeached A political process (not a legal one)

Future of Presidency Remains the most powerful executive in the world Massive responsibilities Likely too much expected/always disappoints