The Executive Branch
1. Constitutional Requirements -Natural-born citizen -At least 35 years old -A resident of the United States for at least 14 years Term in Office -No person shall be elected to the office more than twice -Exception: 10 years 2. Informal Requirements -Government experience -Money -Political beliefs -Personal characteristics http://video.about.com/usgovinfo/Overview-of-the-Executive-Branch.htm
3. Presidential Succession & Disability (25th Amendment) Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senate Pro Tempore, Secretary of State and then Cabinet members in the order that the cabinets were created. 4. Presidential Disability (25th Amendment) -President informs congress in writing that he/she can no longer fulfill his/her duties. -V.P. and majority of the cabinet inform Congress that the president is disabled. 5. Two roles of the Vice President as defined in the Constitution -Preside over the Senate and vote in case of a tie -Help decide the question of presidential disability.
Ways that a president’s authority can be limited a Ways that a president’s authority can be limited a. Limitation by Congress -Congressional override -War Powers Act -Power to impeach -Confirmation power of the Senate b. Limitation by Federal Courts c. Limitation by Bureaucracy d. Limitation by Public Opinion
6. Electoral College A. Definition: A group of persons (electors) chosen in each state and Washington, D.C. every four years who select the president and vice president. B. Electoral Votes -538 (Congress+ D.C.) 535+3=538 -Each state has as many electoral votes as they have representatives and senators combined. C. How it Works -Winner-Take-All -Need 270 (majority) to get elected -No majority – House of Representatives decides. Every state gets one vote. A candidate needs 26 votes to win. http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/presidential-elections/videos/the-electoral-college
D. Flaws in the Electoral College -“Winner-Take-All” feature: Person who received more popular votes could lose the election. -“Faithless” elector -House of Representatives decides election E. Ideas for Reform Idea #1: Proportional (Receive a portion of the electoral votes) Positive Results: -Cure “winner-take-all” problem Negative Results: -Enlarge the role of third parties. No majority – force election into the House of Representatives.
Idea #2: Popular Vote (person with the most votes wins) Negative Results: -Candidate would focus on densely populated areas. -Require a Constitutional Amendment Idea #3: Congressional Districts -Could still have more popular votes but lose the election. -Increase the stakes for redistricting/gerrymandering
Seven Roles of the President Head of State: Represents the nation and performs many ceremonial duties. Host to heads of governments Giving medals, meeting public figures Collective image of the United States Chief Executive: Carry out the laws passed by Congress. Executive Orders: Rules that have the force of law. Appoints and removes top level officials Amnesty: A group pardon to people for an offense against the government. Reprieves and Pardons: -Reprieve: Postponement of legal punishment -Pardon: A release from legal punishment http://video.about.com/usgovinfo/What-Is-the-Presidential-Cabinet-.htm
Chief Legislator: Propose legislation that he/she wants enacted. -Veto Power Economic Planner: Annual economic report to Congress Compose yearly federal budget: Size, how monies will be allocated, deficit spending, etc. Party Leader: Leader of his/her political party Fund-Raising Appoint members of party to leadership roles
Chief Diplomat: Directs foreign policy Treaties: Formal agreement between two or more countries. Requires 2/3 Senate approval. Executive Agreements: Pacts between President and head of a foreign government. No Senate approval. Recognize foreign governments Commander in Chief: Power to make war/shared with Congress Makes key military decisions Controls domestic disorders Order use of atomic bomb