The Executive Branch --Top Political job in the country. --Because the US is so powerful and influential, president is considered to hold the most important job in the world The Executive Branch

Qualifications According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution: At least 35 years old Native born American citizen Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years --According to the constitution the president has to have only three qualifications --Almost all presidents have shared similar characteristics every president has been male Most have been protestant Christians, college educated, lawyers, come from states with larger populations --Only recently have presidents started to come from wider backgrounds

President’s Term of Service President serves a four year term Constitution set no limits on number of terms president can serve George Washington set the precedent at two 22nd Amendment limits president to only 2 terms Approved in 1951 --Constitution originally set no term limits --Washington refused to run for a third term --1940, roosevelt ran for a third, 1940 fourth --set maximum at 10 years if president began during another president’s term

Presidential Benefits Salary-$400,000 per year Plus money for expenses and travel $50,000 for annual expense account $100,000 for travel expenses $19,000 for entertainment Lives in White House Staff of 80 housekeeping, chef, doctor Guest House Use of Camp David, retreat estate --Camp david is a retreat in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland 60 miles from washington actual name Naval Support Facility Thurmont Eisenhower named it after his Grandson --One of the most secure places in the world maintained and guarded by the navy and marines

Presidential Benefits

Vice President Has same qualifications as President Constitution gives little power to VP Presides over the Senate Votes in case of a tie Becomes president if president can’t perform his job --presidents have given VP’s more and more responsibilities over the years. --46 VP’s --9 have become president --determines if president is fit to serve

Roles of the President Chief/Head of State Acts as example for and symbol of the United States Represents America at special occasions and ceremonies Examples: Awarding medals and speechmaking --greets kings and queens, prime ministers, and foreign leaders --carries out ceremonial functions—lighting of the national christmas tree, giving medals

Roles of the President Chief Diplomat Conducts foreign policy by directing the actions of American Ambassadors. Signs treaties and trade agreements with leaders of other nations --greets kings and queens, prime ministers, and foreign leaders --carries out ceremonial functions—lighting of the national christmas tree, giving medals

Roles of the President Chief Executive/Administrator Boss of federal gov’t workers in 15 executive departments AKAThe Cabinet These departments help the president carryout, enforce, or execute the law. President chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him Commander in Chief --gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary --in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards --shares the power to make war with congress --Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

Roles of the President Commander-in-Chief In charge of US Armed forces President decides where armed forces are to stationed, weapons used Commander in Chief --gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary --in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards --shares the power to make war with congress --Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

Roles of the President Chief Legislator President proposes bills and signs bills into laws Calls on members of Congress to lobby for his agenda Presents agenda to Congress in annual State of the Union address. Commander in Chief --gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary --in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards --shares the power to make war with congress --Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

Roles of the President Chief of Party Help members of their party get elected Head of fund-raising for the party Commander in Chief --gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary --in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards --shares the power to make war with congress --Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

Roles of the President Chief Citizen Representative of all people and their interests Provides moral leadership

Roles of the President Chief Guardian of the Economy Monitors: Unemployment; Inflation, taxation, business; Does not control the economy, but gets credit of it goes well

Duties of the President Constitution gives the president the power to: Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, Ambassadors Pardon (reduce penalties) against people accused of federal crimes --pardon is a declaration of forgiveness --reprieve order to delay a persons punishment until case is heard by a higher court --Amnesty– pardon toward a group of people

Duties of the President Must give Congress information about the “state of the union” Speeches to Congress about how the country is doing Legislative Leader Proposes laws for Congress to consider Economic Leader Party Leader --gives one state of the union address each year, article 2 section 3 --main address given in January. --Congress expects president to propose legislation, also part of his state of the union address --new laws that president wants --build support for his programs --Conflict can arise --Tries to help the countries economy --expected to deal with problems such as unemployment, rising prices, and high taxes --leader of political party --gives speeches to help fellow party members who are running for office --also helps raise money.

President’s Cabinet Group that advises president on issues Consists of 15 top-level executive departments Headed by secretaries Not mentioned in the Constitution Created by George Washington Meet whenever president feels it is necessary --advise president on issues relating to their departments --make important policy decisions --first departments—secretary of state, war, treasury, and Attorney General --department heads must be approved by senate --Many presidents have not relied heavily on their cabinets, ignore cabinet advise and recommendations.

Presidential Succession Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Presidential Elections Take place every four years President is elected by the Electoral College Group of people elected by each state legislature to elect the president Winner-take-all-system Who ever wins the popular vote gets all the electoral votes --Constitution says that each state will appoint electors --When you vote, you are actually voting for a group of presidential electors for each candidate --Electors are chosen by state legislatures --Even if candidate wins the majority vote by a tiny majority, he will win all electoral votes --The system, as designed would rarely not produce a winner

Electoral College 538 total Electoral Votes 100 Senators + 435 Reps = 535 + DC = 538 Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. Senators and Representatives 2 Senators + # of Reps = # of electors CT 2 Senators + 5 Reps = 7 electors

Electoral College Candidate needs half, or 270 votes, to win Otherwise the House of Representatives has to vote for the president --Only happened twice, 1800 and 1824. Jefferson and Quincy Adams --