The Presidency – Day 2 Explain how the Constitution provides for presidential succession. Describe the role of the Vice President.

Bell Work 2 What beverage is known in waitress lingo as an “M.D.”? Time Table Bell Work – 10 min. Lecture Notes – 35 min. Trivial Pursuit – 10 min. What beverage is known in waitress lingo as an “M.D.”? Dr. Pepper Describe your role as a backup to a star athlete. When might you get to play, and what might practices be like? Analyze political cartoon on next slide.

Presidential Succession The scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled. The vacancy is filled if: President dies Resignation from office Impeachment leading to removal

Order of Presidential Succession Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense The rest of the cabinet heads in order in which their position was created

Presidential Disability The Vice President is to become acting President if: The President informs Congress, in writing, “that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office”. The Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress, in writing, that the president is incapacitated.

The Vice Presidency Jobs To preside over the Senate To help decide the question of presidential disability To be a “President-in-waiting”. “I am Vice President. In this I am Nothing, but I may be Everything”. – John Adams The Vice President is “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived.” – John Adams The Vice Presidency isn’t worth a warm pitcher of spit.” – FDR’s VP John Nance Garner

Fast Facts: If the Vice Presidency becomes vacant, which it has 18 times, the President chooses a replacement. Vice President Dick Cheney is widely regarded as the most influential VP ever.

The Electoral College Initially the Electoral College was established because the framers of the Constitution didn’t believe the people had the capacity to judge a candidate for president. An electoral college was established to vote as an aid to the people. Members of the EC were chosen by each states legislator. One for every Senator and Representative (538 today). Today most states require the EC to vote with the majority in their state.

The Electoral College by State

Flaws in the Electoral College The winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency Electors are not required to vote in accord with the popular vote Any election might have to be decided in the House of Representatives

The Electoral College Khan Academy – The Electoral College