Bell ringer Would you want to be President of the United States? Why or why not? Think about all the pros and cons of being the President. What aspects of the job appeal to you and do not appeal to you?

The Executive Branch President 1

Today we will … Objectives agenda Identify formal qualifications of the President. Explore the job of the president, including informal roles. Identify pay and benefits of being president. Article – ‘The Loneliest Job” Slide/notes Guided Reading – Section 13.4 Exit Ticket

Before & After: Presidential Aging

Interesting facts on our 44th President – Barack Obama Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4th, 1961 “Barack” means “one who is blessed” in Swahili. On his high school basketball team, he earned the nickname the “O’bomber”. He’s 51 years old. Graduated from Colombia University & Harvard Law School Worked in Chicago as a community organizer before he finished Law School. Worked as a civil rights lawyer in Chicago as well. Taught a “Constitutional Law” class at the University of Chicago from 1992-2004.

More interesting facts… Served 3 terms in the Illinois Senate. Favorite music: Bob Dylan & Miles Davis Favorite food that he cooks: Chili Doesn’t drink coffee, rarely drinks alcohol. Bad Habit: Constantly checking his BlackBerry. He has read all 7 Harry Potter books. When he lived in Indonesia, he had a pet ape named Tata.

Magazine Article Obama After One Year: The Loneliest Job Read & Answer the following questions in the blanks provided 1.) According to the article, what do you think is difficult about being President? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. 2.) It’s been about 7 years since President Obama has been in office. How do you think he has done? Has your opinion changed of him? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Formal Qualifications According to the Constitution: Natural born citizen in the U.S. Be at least 35 years old Have been a resident within the United States for 14 years.

Presidential Terms A Presidential Term lasts 4 years – and each President may serve for 2 terms. Typically the longest a President can serve is 8 years. However…if a VP must step in & become President mid-term (for 2 years), he may still run for the additional terms remaining. This means we could have a President potentially serve for 10 years.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Up until 1951, the Constitution placed no limit on the number of terms a President may serve. FDR served as President from 1933-1945. In 1951, the Constitution was amended for the 22nd Amendment limiting Presidential terms.

Why? Some argue we should abolish term limits. Why? Why not?

Job Description The President of the United States is known as the “Leader of the Free World”. The President simultaneously fills 8 different roles: Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party  Chief Citizen

Reading – 13.4 Read 13.4 the modern president’s job. Take notes on the organizer.

Chief of State This means the President is the ceremonial head of the government of the United States, the symbol of all people of the nation.

Chief Executive This means the President is vested by the Constitution with “the executive power” of the U.S. “The most powerful office in the world”.

Chief Administrator This means the President is the director of the entire executive branch of the Federal Government. Under President Obama, there has been an increase in federal employees (Dept. of Homeland Security/Dept. of Justice/etc.)

Chief Diplomat This means the President is the main architect of U.S. foreign policy & the nation’s chief spokesperson to the rest of the world. Ex: Taking trips around the world and meeting fellow presidents or prime ministers, making speeches abroad.

Commander in Chief This means the President is control of the nation’s military. According to President Bush’s book, aspect of the job was his favorite. The President in charge of the Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. Makes the ultimate decision on going to war, with Congress having to pass an official declaration.

Chief Legislator This means the President is the main architect of its public policies. The President sets the Congressional agenda. Ex: Healthcare Reform

Chief of the Party This means the President is the acknowledged leader of his political party. Ex: President Obama and the Democrats

Chief Citizen This means the President is expected to be the “the representative of all the people”. He’s expected to work for and represent the public interest.

So what’s important about this? They’re all connected. The decisions the President makes as one role affects all the other roles. For example, the decisions President Obama has made as the Chief Legislator has affected his role as the Chief of the Party.

History Channel – Inside the White House Nat Geo – Air Force 1

Closure – exit ticket Unwritten Qualifications #88