How has the presidency developed into such a powerful position?

Do Now: Why did the Framers provide such a short job description? The President of the United States is almost certainly the most powerful person in the world. He can drop the bomb, overrule the wishes of a majority in Congress with the stroke of a pen, or jet to Cancun for the weekend on Air Force One, but his official job description can fit on the back of a three by five card… In contrast, the McDonald’s employee handbook is 37 pages long, and the iPhone user’s guide is 130 pages… Why did the Framers provide such a short job description?

Roles of the Presidency President is most powerful individual in US government Constitution charges president with ensuring that laws are faithfully executed, commanding the military, and filling executive and judicial offices Beyond that, Constitution leaves definition of presidency fairly vague

Article II Article II of the Constitution lays out the president's role very briefly. It states that the "executive power" of the government shall be vested in the president and that he shall be responsible for a handful of tasks: Enures ALL laws are faithfully executed Informs Congress of the "state of the union" Directs American foreign policy Commands the armed forces Appoints offices in the executive branch Names judges to the Supreme Court Heads the cabinet

Predict! In your groups, what qualifications should the President possess? (jot down a list of at least 5 things!)

Must be a natural born citizen Must be 35 years or older Eligibility Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of the Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. Must be a natural born citizen Must be 35 years or older Must have resided in the US for at least 14 years

The President’s Term 22nd Amendment, Section 1 No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. The Constitution guarantees a 4-year term once in office The 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951 places a 2-term limit on the office

Vice President 25th Amendment, Section 1 VPs replace the president! 25th Amendment ratified in 1967 created a means of selecting a VP President nominates a VP and Congress approves the selection by a majority vote 25th Amendment, Section 1 In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Disqualification Article II, Section 4 The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. The House of Representative may impeach the President by majority vote The case then goes to the Senate which tries the accused President with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding The Senate may convict/remove the President by 2/3 vote

The many “hats” of the job Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen

But the $$$ is good... Congress determines the President’s salary $25k in 1789 and now $400k with a $50k/year expense allowance

And the perks too... also gains… residency at the White House - 132 rooms on 18.3 acres in the heart of the capital Air Force One and a fleet of automobiles resort destination at Camp David the finest medical, dental, and health care benefits generous travel and entertainment funds

Growth in the Position nation’s increasingly complex social and economic life globalization, industrialization and technological advancements necessary to take faster action in times of crisis Congress increased reliance on the executive to interpret and enforce the laws

Imperial Presidency? Critics in recent years of strong presidential powers have condemned the rise of the “imperial presidency.” Some believe that the President has become an emperor who is taking actions without the approval of Congress (acting in secrecy to evade/ deceive Congress).