Presidency Only 16 countries have directly elected presidents 5 dozen countries with party competition AND popular elections with free choice No nation in Europe has a pure presidential system Prime Ministers (Parliamentary Sys) twice as common as Presidents (Presidential Sys)

Executives Chosen by legislators Selects ministers from Parliament Remains in power as long as party controls majority of seats Much political experience Lacks personal following Member of majority party Elected by people Chooses cabinet from outside Congress Voted in/out regardless of party in Congress Not necessarily a member of majority party (divided gov.)

“Make him too weak, the legislature will usurp his powers. Make him too strong, he will usurp on the legislature”  Congress elects the president (quasi-Parliamentary)  President chosen directly by voters  Electoral College

Partisan bickering Political Paralysis Policy Gridlock Stalemate

Tuesday after 1 st Monday in Nov Monday after 2 nd Wed in December January 6th House of Representatives

Roles of the President Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen

Chief Diplomat Main architect of foreign policy Power of recognition (Ambassadors, Persona non grata) Executive Agreements America’s chief spokesman to the world Power to make treaties

Chief Executive Powers granted by the Constitution Pardons Reprieves Commutations Amnesty Power to execute all federal laws Executive Orders

Chief Administrator Manages over 3 million civilians –(approximately 2 trillion dollars) –Can remove people from positions –Appoints top ranking officials

Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Over 2 million men/women in uniform Rationing Confiscating ships/factories for war Initiates, suggests & supports legislation Signs bills Vetoes bills

Chief of State Ceremonial head of government Reigns Rules

Office of the President White House office Executive Office of the President Cabinet Independent Agencies, Commissions, & Judgeships

White House Office Closest assistants Do not need Senate confirmation President can hire/fire at will Chief of Staff – most influential presidential aide

Executive Office of the President Agencies that report to the President Housed in Old Executive Office Building Only top positions by President appointment/Senate approval –(civil servants who stay from 1 term to another)

Cabinet Heads of the 14 major departments Meet regularly with President to discuss issues Seated by age of department President appoints/Senate approves

Independent Agencies/Judgeships Executive/Independent – classified by whether President has limited/unlimited powers of removal Heads serve for fixed terms – removed only for “cause” Judges cannot be removed – only impeached

Amendments 20 th Amendment 22 nd Amendment 25 th Amendment