Chapter 13 The Presidency American Citizenship Chapter 13 The Presidency

Section 1 The President’s Description

The President’s Roles Chief of State Chief Executive Ceremonial head of the government of the United States Chief Executive Vested with “Executive Power,” given by the constitution Chief Administrator Director of the Federal Government Employs nearly 2.7 million civilians Chief Diplomat Main architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to the rest of the world Commander in Chief Controls the nation’s 1.4 million men and women in uniform

The President’s Roles Chief legislator Not Stated in the Constitution Main architect of its public policies Helps to initiate, request, demand certain actions by the Congress Not Stated in the Constitution Chief of Party acknowledged leader of the political party Chief Citizen Representative of all the people “A place of moral leadership” FDR President plays all these roles simultaneously, and can not isolate themselves to one role over another

Formal Qualifications Constitution puts some requirements into becoming a president Must be a “natural born citizen” Be at least 35 years of age youngest ever elected was JFK at the age of 43 and Ronald Reagan elected at the age of 69 Must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years Nearly 100 million people in the United States meet these requirements, thus leading to informal qualifications

The President’s Term Ultimately at the Constitutional Convention, a term limit of 4-years Until the 1951 amendment, there was no limit to the number of terms a president could serve Still fights today over the legitimacy of the 2-term limit Lame-duck president, or safeguard against “executive tyranny?”

Pay and Benefits Initially it was $25,000, however today it is $400,000 Also provided a $50,000 expense allowance Other benefits 132-room mansion set on an 18acre estate Suite of offices and a large staff Fleet of automobiles lavish Air Force One plane, including other planes and helicopters Camp David resort getaway in the Mountains in Maryland

Section 2 Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency

The Constitution Succession Presidential Succession Scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled Originally not provided by the Constitution However signed into the Constitution with the 15th amendment Presidential Succession Act of 1947 the order of succession following the Vice President

Presidential Disability Previously no provision for dealing with a disabled President Check and Balance between Executive and Legislative, in order to with a disabled President

The Vice Presidency Importance of the Office Given two duties: Preside over the Senate Help decide the question of Presidential disability little or no major duties Balance the Ticket

The Vice Presidency (con’t) The Vice President Today no matter what the circumstances, the President cannot fire the Vice President

Section 3 Presidential Selection: The Framers’ Plan

Original Provisions Presidential Electors A person elected by the voters to represent them in making a formal selection of the Vice President and President

The Rise of Parties Electoral college The Election of 1800 The group of people (electors) chosen from each State and the District of Columbia, to formally select the President and Vice President The Election of 1800 Electoral college tie, ultimately leading to Congress selecting the President Created new elements Party nominations for the Presidency and Vice Presidency

Section 4 Presidential Nominations

The Role of Conventions Used extensively since the 1832 election Convention Arrangements Built almost entirely by the political parties

The Role of Conventions (Con’t) Apportionment of Delegates The State party’s delegates is generally based on the State’s electoral votes However, complex formulas eventually decide the delegate count Selection of Delegates Two campaigns… for nomination and presidential candidate races Generally political parties allow state parties to decide delegates

Presidential Primaries Primaries Today “Super Tuesday” Proportional representation Winner-take-all Proportional Representation

The National Convention Meetings at which delegates vote to pick their presidential and vice-presidential candidates Meets three different goals Name the party’s presidential and vice- presidential candidates Bring the various factions and the leading personalities in the party together in one place Adopt the party’s platform formal statement of basic principles, stands on major policy matters, and objectives for the campaign and beyond

The National Convention (con’t) The First Two Days Keynote address is given on first day delivered by one of the party’s most accomplished orators Second day the platform is adopted The Last Two Days Third day is spent to nominating the presidential candidate Fourth day is devoted to nominating the vice- presidential candidate leading to the president candidates acceptance speech

Who is Nominated Political Experience Other Characteristics Generally the most electable candidate is nominated Other Characteristics Generally Protestants, from larger states, pleasant and healthy appearance, an attractive family, etc.

Section 5 The Election

The Electoral College Today People do not vote directly for a Presidential candidate, they vote to elect presidential electors Choosing Electors Electors choose by popular vote in every state Chosen on a winner-take-all manner Some states have the names of the electors on the ballot

The Electoral College Today (con’t) Counting Electoral Votes Electors meet in each of their respective state capitals Formal election takes place on January 6th However, most people know the next President by the November election Must win at least 270 electoral votes If there is a tie, the election is sent to the House of Representatives

Flaws in the Electoral College First Major Defect That the winner of the popular vote will not win the presidency

Flaws in the Electoral College (Con’t) The Second Major Defect No requirement for electors to vote for the candidate that carried their state The Third Major Defect Presidential election being decided by the House of Representatives, due to the majority of electoral votes not being met (270 votes)