The Executive Branch Headed by the Office of the President Can veto bills Commander-in-chief of armed forces To ensure that the nation’s laws get effectively carried out, the Framers created a strong executive branch, headed by the Office of the President of the United States. Article II of the Constitution spells out the president’s powers and duties: To execute (or carry out) the law as established by Congress The right to send bills he or she disagrees with back to Congress, also known as “veto power.” Congress can override a presidential veto, but such a measure takes a supermajority of two-thirds of both houses to pass. The right to appoint the judiciary (with the Senate’s “advice and consent”) The power, as a civilian, of commander-in-chief over all American armed forces. By the mid-20th century, the president gained the authority to order the use of nuclear weapons. The Executive Branch also has the authority to develop the nation’s foreign policy (again, with “the advice and consent” of the Senate). The obligation to provide a yearly address to Congress. For many years, presidents treated the State of the Union address as a mere formality, but 20th- and 21st-century presidents have found it to be a huge national forum for announcing new legislative programs. Article II also spells out basic requirements for anyone seeking the office. Candidates must be at least 35 years old, be natural-born U.S. citizens, and must have resided in the United States for at least 14 years prior to their election.

The Electoral College Used for presidential elections Framers had concerns that voters wouldn’t make informed decisions Each state selects electors equal in number to its congressional representation The creation of a powerful executive in Article II of the Constitution concerned many Framers, who believed the average voter might not be informed enough to make a legitimate decision about who should be president. While no one questioned George Washington’s ability or character, there was no guarantee that men of lesser ability or character might not be elected in later years. The Framers answered with the Electoral College. Each state has a slate of “electors” equal in number to its congressional representation. After the popular vote for president, these electors would then travel to their respective state capitals and cast votes for two different candidates. The total electoral vote would be counted and announced in a joint session of Congress. Originally, the candidate receiving a majority of electoral votes would win the presidency, with the runner-up elected vice president. The system did (and does) have its drawbacks: In 1800 and 1824, no candidate received a majority of electoral votes, or the vote came to a tie, with the House of Representatives deciding the election. In other instances (most recently in the election of 2000), the candidate who received a majority of the popular vote lost the electoral vote. The entrenchment of political parties soon after Washington’s election relegated the Electoral College to a “rubber stamp” system, in which electors who could technically vote for anybody would pledge loyalty to the candidate of their political party. Any dramatic changes to the Electoral College system seem unlikely. Even the smallest state has three electoral votes, which gives small states more leverage that they might otherwise in the election process. In addition, election law makes it difficult for third parties to win electoral votes, since they usually do not get enough of the popular vote to win a state’s entire slate of electors.

Electoral College Compromise between election of President Option 1: Only by Congress Option 2: Only by Popular Vote People vote for “Electors” who vote for Pres.

Electoral College How Many Votes? House of Reps. + Senators (2) 538 Total – 270 to Win

2012 Electoral Map

Qualifications to President Born in the United States 35 Years of Age Resident within the US for 14 years

Powers of the President Appoint Government Officials Veto Legislation

Presidential Cabinet The Heads 15 Executive Dept.

Crime in the Constitution The only crime defined in the Constitution is Treason (Article 3 Section 3)