President & Vice President
Electoral College Indirect Election based on Winner Take All Method 12th Amendment: Created Separate Ballots 538 Total Votes: Must win 270 to become President
Duties of the President Execute all laws faithfully Commander in chief Head of foreign relations Appointment power Lawmaking power
Constitutional Requirements Natural-born citizen of the US At least 35 yrs. old Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 yrs. before taking office
Term & Salary Original constitution did not specify term limits 22nd Amendment: limited president to 2 terms and maximum 10 yrs.
Presidential Inauguration 20th Amendment: (Lame Duck) January 20th Administered by Chief Justice of Supreme Court
Salary and Benefits 400,000 a year and 100,000 for travel Air Force One Free medical, dental, and health care 148, 000 lifetime pension Swimming pool, bowling alley, movie theater, tennis courts, etc.
Informal Requirements Government experience Money Political beliefs Moderate beliefs Personal Characteristics White Married Protestant
Presidential Succession 25th Amendment: established the order of succession to the presidency and spelled out what happen when the VP becomes vacant Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro tempore of the Senate 15 Departments in order of their creation by Congress
25th Amendment If V.P. becomes vacant, President nominates someone and Congress approves nomination If President becomes disabled: V.P. becomes acting President with acknowledgement of President V.P. assumes the role of presidency if cabinet or Congress determines him unable to run nation
Vice President’s Role Constitution gives them two responsibilities 1. Presides over the Senate and votes in that body in case of a tie 2. Helps decide whether the President is disabled and acts as President if that should happen (25th Amendment)