The Executive Branch

Limited the President to only serve 2 terms (8 years) 4 year term The Constitution did not state “how many” 4 year terms a president can serve George Washington set the standard by serving for 2 terms and refused to run for a 3rd Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) ran for a 3rd term & the public did not like it 22nd Amendment Limited the President to only serve 2 terms (8 years) Vice President could serve 10 years (if he takes over during the death of a President & then wins 2 more elections)

Salary Salary of the President is determined by Congress 1961-1999: Salary was $200,000 plus $50,000 for expenses 2001: $400,000 with $100,000 for expenses

Benefits AIR FORCE ONE

Benefits Helicopters & limos Free medical, dental and healthcare Government pays for White House operations President pays for all personal entertainment (dinners & receptions NOT associated with government business) Lifetime Pension of $148,400 till death Free mail President spouce get $20,000 a year if husband dies AND………………….

LIVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!

White House

Presidential Qualifications Natural Born citizen of the United States At least 35 years old A resident of the United States for at least 14 years before taking office What about Experience??????????? Experience in government is NOT written in the Constitution as a requirement Most candidates DO have political experience (usually Senators, Govenors, Congressman, etc.) Some DO NOT: Example is President Eisenhower

Presidential Qualifications Must have large amounts of money to be a serious candidate (in today’s world) Television Time ($10,000 for a national commercial) Hiring Campaign Staff Sending out mailings Speech Writers How is this fair????

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 Limits the amount of money a candidate can spend campaigning Can spend up to $37.3 million in the primary election $74.62 million on the general election Limits the amount of $ one can donate to a campaign New contribution limits for individuals -- beginning January 1, 2003: Contributions to candidates - $2,000* per election (was $1,000). Contributions to state, district and local party committees - $10,000 (combined) per year (was $5,000). Contributions to national party committees - $25,000* per year (was $20,000). Overall limit on contributions from one person now $95,000* every two years (was $25,000 per year). Within this limit, however, only $37,500 may be contributed to candidates and no more than $37,500 to other committees that are not national parties

Presidential Qualifications Candidates typically will have MODERATE political ideals on most issues TYPICALLY PRESIDENTS ARE……. Middle-class background White, Married & Protestant, Financially Successful

Presidential Succession (who comes next?) Constitution was very vague on who came next if a President died, resigned or removed from office 25th Amendment 1967 The Vice President becomes President in case of death, resignation of removal from office If the Vice President is removed, the President can nominate a Vice President & Congress must approve

Presidential Succession What if the President & Vice President are both removed at the same time?? The Succession Act of 1947 Establishes the order of succession if both the president and vice president were vacant

Line of Presidential Succession

Vice President Constitution gives VP 2 duties Presides over the Senate and votes in cases of a tie Helps decide whether the President is disabled or not What responsibilities they have come from the President May represent the President overseas Discussions on policy reform with the President

Inauguration Day!! The current president’s “reign” ends at noon on January 20th The new president (president-elect) gets sworn in at noon the same day Typically takes place outside the Capital in Washington, D.C. Constitutional Oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Article II, Section 8

Inauguration Day Typically the President swears his oath on a Bible but that is not required Some Presidents have used a law book instead Oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court President then gives an “Inauguration Speech” which sets the tone for his Presidency A series of “parties” and events follow in the evening to celebrate

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day President Harrison died 28 days after giving his Inauguration Speech as he got a cold turned pneumonia from standing in a snow storm

Inauguration Day Fun Facts George Washington gave shortest speech of 135 words No Constitutional requirements for an inauguration except the oath After the oath, most presidents say, “So help me God.” This is not required in the oath but was started by George Washington The Vice-President Andrew Johnson takes his oath after the president. He wasn’t feeling well so he drank a lot of whiskey. He was very drunk while giving his oath and speech. He had to be pushed off the stage. Inauguration day used to be March 4th, but since communication travels faster, it was changed to Jan 20th by the 20th amendment

Inauguration Day Fun Facts On the second day of his presidency, Barack Obama was sworn in a second time by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. because, following Roberts's lead, Obama improperly recited the oath. He said, "I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully.” The word "faithfully" belongs between "will" and "execute." (2009) Video Bloopers

What happens to the old President? Lame Duck President The outgoing president serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring or being defeated for reelection Video

The President’s Cabinet

Cabinet The advisers that assist the President One of the first jobs a president-elect does is to nominate his cabinet members Today’s Cabinet: 15 secretaries to major executive department

Hillary Clinton=Secretary of State Cabinet Each nominee must be approved by the Senate The selection of cabinet nominee’s is a largely political process Secretaries will typically be: From the same political party as the President Have knowledge/experience in their selected area of specialty (ex: secretary of treasury will have banking experience) High administrative skills Balance of gender & race of nominee’s Hillary Clinton=Secretary of State

Cabinet Salary of $183,500 a year Confirmation Hearing: The senate brings each nominee before them to ask them questions and determine whether or not they are a qualified candidate Only a handful of candidate’s were ever rejected Video

Role of the Cabinet Meet weekly with the President to discuss topics of importance & advise the President on certain decisions Some president’s use their cabinet a lot, while others do not The closest cabinet members to the President are: Secretary of state, defense, treasury and the attorney general

Gather information and provide advice about key issues White House Staff People selected by the President to assist him in doing his job They do not have to be approved by the Senate Usually long time supporters of the president, interns or friends of the President Jobs Gather information and provide advice about key issues Present the presidents views to the outside world (sets-up press conferences)

Presidential Powers Review