The Presidency Article II

Background on the Presidency Many ideas were suggested at the Constitutional Convention regarding the office of Chief executive Have a KING (Many Americans had wanted GW to become King- he declined) Have Co-presidents, like the Roman Consuls, elected by Congress Have a committee appointed by Congress serve as The Executive Branch Have the head leader chosen by state electors and serve a life term Have no executive branch at all! Term suggestions included a seven year term, non-re-electable term, a three-year re-electable term, and a term which was essentially life, or on good behavior.

Some Basic Facts Elected to a four-year term by the American people , via the Electoral College The 22nd Amendment places a term limit on the Presidency. Must be 35 years old, 14 year resident and a natural born citizen.

Electoral College The people of each state vote Whichever candidate gets the majority gets that state’s electoral votes # of House Members + 2 Senators= Electoral Votes (SC has 9) Usually it’s a winner takes all system per state (except Nebraska & Maine) A candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes to win the presidency-270 votes

What if a candidate doesn’t win a majority of electoral votes? The election goes to the House of Representatives! Each state gets 1 vote First candidate to get 51% wins When has it happened? 1800-Thomas Jefferson defeats Aaron Burr 1824-John Quincy Adams defeats Andrew Jackson

Other strange presidential elections 1796- Pres. Adams & V.P. Jefferson were from different political parties! 1876- Hayes defeated Tilden (who had actually won the popular vote but not the electoral vote) 1888- Harrison defeated Cleveland (same situation) 2000- Bush narrowly defeated Gore after hotly-debated results in Florida (Gore also won the popular vote, but not the electoral vote)

The Two Term Precedent George Washington set the precedent for the limit of two terms FDR was the only president to win more than two terms Elected 4 times, a total of 14 years as president He led the US through the Depression and WW II. After he died, the 22nd Amendment limited all president to 2 terms

ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT

Role 1: Chief of State Acts as example for and symbol of the United States Kings and Queens are also heads of state. Represents America at special occasions and ceremonies. Awarding medals and speechmaking are examples of this role.

Role 2: Chief Executive Cabinet Positions Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General (Dept. of Justice) 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 Secretary of Homeland Security Other Cabinet-level positions Vice President of the United States White House Chief of Staff Director of the Office of Management and Budget Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Trade Representative Ambassador to the United Nations Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Acts as boss of federal government workers in 15 executive departments. These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law. The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him.

He also has the power to grant criminals a reprieve (postponing a punishment) or a pardon (complete forgiveness of a crime) except in cases of impeachment

The Offices of the Executive Branch are found in the White House and other federal buildings in Washington D.C. Fun Facts! Only the President and his family reside inside the Executive Residence. Other staff, such as Secret Service, Chef, etc. may have quarters but do not actually live there. Most of the house is used as offices and meeting rooms. According to a report in the New York Post, President Obama’s White House employs 454 people with an annual cost of $37,121,463. (G.W. Bush had 447)

Role 3: Chief Diplomat Conducts foreign policy by directing the actions of American ambassadors (whom he appoints) An ambassador is someone who represents our country in a foreign land The president also receives foreign ambassadors and talks with them Signs treaties and trade agreements with leaders of other nations. 2/3 of Senate must agree to ratify treaties, however

Role 4: Commander-In-Chief In charge of US Armed Forces. President decides where armed forces are to be stationed, weapons to be used; rules of engagement Troops can only be deployed for a limited time without Congressional approval Secretary of Defense serves under the President. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the top military commander under President.

Role 5: Chief Legislator Congress has the power to make laws. President can propose bills and must sign bills into law. He often calls members of Congress to lobby for his agenda. He can call for a joint session of Congress in emergency situations Presents his agenda to Congress in the annual State of the Union address. The Constitution requires him to update them from time to time

Role: Chief Legislator President Reagan before a joint-session of Congress.

Role 6: Chief of the Party Presidents help members of their party get elected or appointed to office. They make campaign speeches needed for re-election. Head of fund-raising for the party.

Role 7: Chief Guardian of the Economy Monitors unemployment, Inflation, taxation, business, and general welfare of the nation. He does not control the economy, but he gets credit if it goes well (or criticism if it doesn’t).

Impeachment Despite the many powers and responsibilities the President has, they are not above the law Article II Section 4 says: “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”

Thought Questions Why do you think so many Americans overestimate the powers of the President? What qualities do you think it takes to be a successful president? Do you think Presidents should have term limits? What about members of Congress? Why or why not?