The Many Roles of the President Chief of State Chief of State Ceremonial head of the country Ceremonial head of the country Acts as the “face of the U.S.” Acts as the “face of the U.S.” Welcomes foreign dignitaries Welcomes foreign dignitaries For example… For example…

The Many Roles of the President Chief Executive Chief Executive Ensures that the nation’s laws are enforced and carried out Ensures that the nation’s laws are enforced and carried out Head of the executive branch Head of the executive branch

The Many Roles of the President Chief Administrator Chief Administrator Head of the entire bureaucracy – people who work for the government to implement policies Head of the entire bureaucracy – people who work for the government to implement policies Appoints everyone in the top levels of the bureaucracy, with approval of a majority of the Senate Appoints everyone in the top levels of the bureaucracy, with approval of a majority of the Senate May also fire any appointed person May also fire any appointed person

The Many Roles of the President Chief Diplomat Chief Diplomat Develops the nation’s foreign policy stances Develops the nation’s foreign policy stances Spokesperson to the rest of the world Spokesperson to the rest of the world Meets and befriends leaders of foreign countries Meets and befriends leaders of foreign countries

BFF! I ♥ USA!

The Many Roles of the President Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief Top commander of all branches of the armed forces Top commander of all branches of the armed forces All are subject to his immediate control All are subject to his immediate control

The Many Roles of the President Chief Legislator Chief Legislator Proposes Laws to Congress Proposes Laws to Congress Chooses whether to sign bills into law or veto them Chooses whether to sign bills into law or veto them For example… For example…

The Many Roles of the President Chief of Party Chief of Party He is the undisputed leader and face of the party that helped elect him He is the undisputed leader and face of the party that helped elect him Plans future strategy and direction of the party Plans future strategy and direction of the party

The Many Roles of the President Chief Citizen Chief Citizen Work to help the public as a whole, rather than private interests Work to help the public as a whole, rather than private interests Represent what all American people should be (in terms of character) Represent what all American people should be (in terms of character)

Qualifications WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD?!?!

Qualifications 35 years old 35 years old Natural Born U.S. Citizen Natural Born U.S. Citizen Could be born in another country to an American parent Could be born in another country to an American parent Resident of the U.S. for 14 years Resident of the U.S. for 14 years

Terms Pres. serves a 4 year term Pres. serves a 4 year term Limited to 2 terms by the 22 nd Amendment Limited to 2 terms by the 22 nd Amendment If V.P. takes over less than half of President’s term, it doesn’t count against him If V.P. takes over less than half of President’s term, it doesn’t count against him Thus, most possible years = 10 Thus, most possible years = 10

$ Perks $ Salary of $400,000 per year for life Salary of $400,000 per year for life $50,000 in expenses $50,000 in expenses Free medical care for life Free medical care for life Live in the White House Live in the White House Use of Air Force One, Marine One, other transportation Use of Air Force One, Marine One, other transportation

Presidential Succession Constitution originally only provided that when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. would become “acting president” Constitution originally only provided that when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. would become “acting president” 25 th Amendment fixed this and other issues 25 th Amendment fixed this and other issues

Presidential Succession If president dies, resigns, is impeached, or is temporarily incapable, succession occurs If president dies, resigns, is impeached, or is temporarily incapable, succession occurs Pres. can be declared temporarily incapable by himself, or V.P. with a majority of the Cabinet Pres. can be declared temporarily incapable by himself, or V.P. with a majority of the Cabinet

Presidential Succession Order of Succession Order of Succession Vice President Vice President Speaker of the House Speaker of the House President Pro-Tempore President Pro-Tempore Secretary of State Secretary of State Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the order they were created Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the order they were created

But what if I die?!?!

Vice-Presidential Succession If V.P. dies or resigns, president picks a new one If V.P. dies or resigns, president picks a new one Majority of both houses of Congress must approve Majority of both houses of Congress must approve

What Does the Veep Do? Take over if the Pres. dies Take over if the Pres. dies Preside over the Senate Preside over the Senate These 2 jobs take no time, and allow Dick Cheney to spend time shooting old men in the face These 2 jobs take no time, and allow Dick Cheney to spend time shooting old men in the face

So What do They Really Do? They do whatever the president lets them do Reagan didn’t let me do anything.

How to Pick a V.P. Balance the Ticket – pick a guy with qualities that will draw voters you wouldn’t Balance the Ticket – pick a guy with qualities that will draw voters you wouldn’t

Example of Balancing the Ticket President Reagan President Reagan From California (West Coast) From California (West Coast) Very conservative Very conservative Idea man – not concerned with details (big picture) Idea man – not concerned with details (big picture) Vice-President Bush From Connecticut (East Coast) Moderate conservative Technocrat – obsessed with nuance/details

Presidential Selection Constitution says – “president shall be chosen by a number of electors” Constitution says – “president shall be chosen by a number of electors” These electors are the electoral college These electors are the electoral college

Why not by average citizens like me? Because you’re an idiot.

Original Plan Each elector gets 2 votes Each elector gets 2 votes 1 st Place becomes president 1 st Place becomes president 2 nd Place becomes vice- president 2 nd Place becomes vice- president Then, a crisis occurs… Then, a crisis occurs…

The Election of 1800 Political Parties had just appeared Political Parties had just appeared Jefferson and Burr – Democratic Republicans Jefferson and Burr – Democratic Republicans Adams and Pinckney – Federalists Adams and Pinckney – Federalists Each elector casts his 2 ballots for his party’s 2 candidates Each elector casts his 2 ballots for his party’s 2 candidates

The Election of 1800 Final Result: Final Result: Thomas Jefferson - 73 Thomas Jefferson - 73 Aaron Burr - 73 Aaron Burr - 73 John Adams - 65 John Adams - 65 Charles Pinckney - 64 Charles Pinckney - 64 John Jay - 1 John Jay - 1

The Election of 1800 Burr had run intending to become Jefferson’s Vice, then realized he had a legitimate claim to win! Burr had run intending to become Jefferson’s Vice, then realized he had a legitimate claim to win! Took 36 votes in the House of Reps. to settle the dispute and pick Jefferson Took 36 votes in the House of Reps. to settle the dispute and pick Jefferson

The 12 th Amendment Requires presidential and V.P. elections to be separate Darn straight, they did.

The Nominating Process Candidates must win a majority of delegates at the party convention Candidates must win a majority of delegates at the party convention Each state gets delegates at the convention based on the number of electoral college votes, plus a bonus for states loyal to the party Each state gets delegates at the convention based on the number of electoral college votes, plus a bonus for states loyal to the party Each state has a different method of awarding delegates Each state has a different method of awarding delegates

State’s Options – How to Vote Primary Election – election among the public to choose a nominee Primary Election – election among the public to choose a nominee Open Primary – all eligible voters may vote Open Primary – all eligible voters may vote Closed Primary – only party members may vote Closed Primary – only party members may vote

State’s Options – How to Vote Caucus – meeting of party members to debate and vote Caucus – meeting of party members to debate and vote

State’s Options – How to Award Delegates Winner-Take-All – winner of the state’s contest gets all of the state’s delegates Winner-Take-All – winner of the state’s contest gets all of the state’s delegates Proportional Representation – Each candidate gets delegates equal to the % of the vote they got Proportional Representation – Each candidate gets delegates equal to the % of the vote they got

The Convention Delegates “vote” – everyone knows who will win President officially nominates his running mate

General Election General Election – one candidate from each party run against each other for the presidency

General Election Each state sets requirements for how a party gets qualified to be on the ballot

General Election Traditionally, the Republican and Democratic Candidates will debate each other at least once

General Election Winner of the election is determined by a majority of electoral college votes (270 out of a possible 538)

General Election Electoral College is winner-take- all – whoever gets a plurality (not a majority) in the state gets all the state’s electoral college votes

The Electoral College Pros Pros Preserves stable 2 party system Preserves stable 2 party system No mass confusion over recounts No mass confusion over recounts Pushes candidates to campaign in smaller states Pushes candidates to campaign in smaller states Cons Undemocratic – can win with fewer votes Outdated – we have technology for voters to have full control Voters in closely divided states matter more

Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College District Plan District Plan Electoral College Votes based on who wins each congressional district Electoral College Votes based on who wins each congressional district Example: California has 53 districts Example: California has 53 districts McCain wins 20, gets 20 electoral votes McCain wins 20, gets 20 electoral votes Obama wins 33, gets 33 electoral votes Obama wins 33, gets 33 electoral votes Obama wins popular vote in CA, gets 2 bonus votes Obama wins popular vote in CA, gets 2 bonus votes

Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College Proportional Plan Proportional Plan Electoral College votes awarded based on % of popular vote Electoral College votes awarded based on % of popular vote Example: State has 20 electoral votes Example: State has 20 electoral votes Obama gets 60%, McCain gets 40% Obama gets 60%, McCain gets 40% Obama gets 12 electoral votes, McCain gets 8 Obama gets 12 electoral votes, McCain gets 8

Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College Direct Popular Election Direct Popular Election Most votes nationwide becomes the president Most votes nationwide becomes the president

Proposed Reforms to the Electoral College National Bonus Plan National Bonus Plan Electoral College system still in place Electoral College system still in place Whoever wins the popular vote nationwide gets a bonus of 102 electoral college votes Whoever wins the popular vote nationwide gets a bonus of 102 electoral college votes 102 is the number which makes it mathematically impossible to win popular vote and lose the election 102 is the number which makes it mathematically impossible to win popular vote and lose the election