Executive Branch Overview QT 59-72

Objectives Identify the eight (8) roles of the U.S. President Identify source and implementation of Presidential powers of office AZ Strand 3 Concept 2 P.O. 6 a-d Analyze the structure, powers and roles of the executive branch of the United states executive branch.

Role of Executive Branch President (POTUS) Enforces the Law Provides Leadership and sets Priorities Administers Bureaucracy 2.65 million civilians work for Executive branch 1.45 million active military

Law enforcement Private citizens help enforce the laws by: Obeying laws (making it “normal”) Helping friends make legal choices Reporting crimes to police

I want to grow up and be President! Three Constitutional Requirements: 35 years old 14 years resident “Natural Born” Citizen About 85% of people over 35 qualify to be US President

So I heard about Obama (b 1961)… “Natural born” citizen means… Born jus soli Born jus sanguinus US Law (title 8 USC code) states anyone born to a US mother after 1952 is automatically a citizen

Other Common President Characteristics All Men All “Christian” 32/44 Military service 21/44 Lawyers 37/44 born east of Mississipi River

Road to the White House Exploratory Committee Fundraising Caucuses Primaries Nomination Convention Nomination General Election President Elect Inauguration

First Steps Exploratory committee Fundraising Group lets Federal Election Commission know their candidate wants to run for President Fundraising Speeches and media interviews, debates allow party “core” to sort among candidates, vote with pocketbooks Barack Obama raised $750 million in 2008, and spent $735 million ($15 million to start 2012)

Getting Party Nomination Caucuses (republic-style) Primaries (democracy-style) Local and state party leaders meet to decide which candidate to support Candidates must pay attention to whole state Preferred by small population states Expensive to operate, but a tough test of candidate’s skills State party operates a election with help of state government Candidates pay most attention to large population areas Preferred by large population states Cheap to operate, but ignores rural areas

Nominating Convention Democratic Party Republican Party 2012 Charlotte NC 4236 total nominating delegates 3529 selected by state caucus & primaries 707 Party leaders Barack Obama unopposed in 2012 What might be the pro/cons of being unopposed? 2012 in Tampa FL 2286 total nominating delegates 2100 selected by state caucus & primaries 186 Party leaders Need 1145 to win Party unifies behind one candidate to capture Presidency

Electoral College Structure 2008 Electoral College Electoral College actually elects US President Each state picks electors in their own way Established to prevent mob rule, cheating in elections Q# of electors =538 # of US House of Representatives + 2 Senators per State +3 Votes for District of Columbia

Two Arizona Nominees Barry Goldwater John McCain 1964 Stood for principle vs. pragmatism State’s rights Lost election 486-52 2008 Supported Iraq War, Strong Military Lost election 365-173

Winning the Presidency 270 to win “Blue States” generally vote Democrat “Red States” generally vote Republican “Purple” or “Swing” States are hard to predict States value changes as population changes

How will reapportionment effect 2012?

4 Major problems with Electoral College Any changes could be done by an Amendment Not all American Citizens can vote for President 4 million live in territories (Puerto Rico, etc) Majority of popular vote doesn’t always win (2000 Bush v Gore) “Faithless” elector can vote for anyone they wish If no majority, the House of Representatives decides US President (1876 Hayes-Tilden)