The American Presidency: Roles & Responsibilities US Government & Politics Mrs. Lacks

Executive Latin verb, to follow follows the lead of the legislature or board of directors CEO carries out the will of the Board of Directors President carries out the will of Congress

Presidential vs Parliamentary Most republics have a parliamentary system US has the longest lasting presidential system Why did the Framers want a presidential system? with no check, the legislature could become too powerful

Creating an American Executive Framers decided on four ingredients used to create the executive (1) Unity: pulls the country together; is characterized by the single individual (“I am the decider,” President Bush) (2) Duration: ensures stability (instability in administration would be ruinous); allows for expertise

Creating an American Executive Framers decided on four ingredients used to create the executive cont… (3) Competent Powers: all powers granted to the president (discussed later in PPT) (4) Support: from Congress

Creating an American Executive Good government requires stability, continuity, and energy Founders’ executive themes: Fitness of Character Political Considerations Duty to consult

Fitness of Character Family background, education, honor, esteem Above all, reputation and integrity Guardian of Liberty: The people, according to Adams, were the worst keepers of liberty Needed trustworthy administrators (Congress and Executive) who would preserve liberty

Political Considerations Military preference (experience, thoughts) Geographic balance (no state/region gets too powerful) Senate Input

Duty to Consult Washington listened to his cabinet He required “opinions in writing” He did not debate. He listened to their opinions and then made a decision. Top-level administrators (Cabinet, military commanders/advisors) They were assistants They were not substitutes or rivals to the President They gave opinions, and then carried out the decisions made by the President

Constitutional requirements Formal Requirements: Must be 35 years old Must be a natural-born citizen Must have resided in U.S. for 14 years Informal “Requirements”: White, Male, Protestant (except two) All manner of professions Most common winners are former state governors

Constitutional requirements Must be elected Electoral College is in place to refine the opinion of the masses born from NJ Plan (NJ was scared all presidents would be from VA or other big states) Founding Fathers did not trust the electorate

Constitutional requirements The normal road to the White House: Candidate runs in a primary to gain nomination of his party; then runs in the general election for president Once elected, a candidate gets a term of four years In 1952, the 22nd Amendment limited the number of terms to two Most Presidents have been elected to office

Constitutional requirements Succession and Impeachment VP succeeds if President leaves office due to death, resignation, or removal Impeachment is investigated by the House, and if impeached, tried by the Senate with the Chief Justice presiding. Only two presidents have been impeached: A. Johnson & Clinton - neither was convicted The 25th Amendment clarifies what happens if the president becomes disabled (POTUS can sign a letter invoking the 25th and then return to power when ready) – Reagan (1985); Bush II (2002, 2007) – both for anesthesia

Constitutional Requirements Constitutional Line of Succession: (first five) Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro-Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of Defense

Constitutional Powers: Formal Commander in Chief Wage (not declare) War Structural characteristics of the executive: unity, secrecy, decision, dispatch, and superior sources of information Congressional check on the Commander in Chief Clause Appropriation Power Power to declare war Presidents may only issue orders in a framework given by Congress

Constitutional Powers: Formal Chief Foreign Policy Maker (aka Chief Diplomat) Treaties Use of secrecy and information enable the president to make deals with foreign countries Congressional Role in Checking this Power Treaties must be passed by the Senate President is not the sole voice in declaring the state’s policy related to foreign policy

Constitutional Powers: Formal Chief Legislator (aka Chief Lawmaker) Executive Order Veto State of the Union Formal Judicial Powers Appointment Power Pardoning Power Solicitor General Signing Statements

Constitutional Powers: Informal Executive: Article II, Section 1 “The executive power shall be vested in a President” Why significant? The phrase “herein granted” is omitted Does this mean the president has powers that are not enumerated? Some say yes, some no

Constitutional Powers: Informal Basic Assumptions – Powers are implied, but not stated Allows executives to deal with states of emergencies, crisis situations, etc. Why’d the Framers think to do this?

Constitutional Powers: Informal The Framer’s chose not to include a provision in the Constitution that would allow the President to suspend the Constitution. Was this a mistake?

Other Powers Head of Party (or Party Leader) Chief Citizen Head of State (ceremonial duties) Head of National Security

The president & National Security Crisis Manager A crisis is a sudden, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous event. The role the president plays can help or hurt the presidential image. With current technology, the president can act much faster than Congress to resolve a crisis. Working with Congress President has lead role in foreign affairs. Presidents still have to work with Congress for support and funding of foreign policies

The Chief Executive The Vice President Most important job is to assume the role of POTUS should something happen Head (or President) of Senate Recent presidents have given their VPs important jobs/issues to tackle The Cabinet Presidential advisors, not in Constitution Is made up of the top executives of the Federal Departments, confirmed by the Senate

Great Expectations Americans want a president who is powerful and who can do good: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan But at the same time, they don’t want the president to get too powerful since we are individualistic and skeptical of authority.