Executive Branch Article II

TRUE OR FALSE The President can declare war if America's national security is threatened. (False. Only Congress can declare war) The President has the right to withhold certain information from Congress if he thinks it would endanger America. (True, Executive Privilege) No president has ever made it to the highest office without being elected to either the Presidency or the vice-presidency (false. Gerald Ford was not elected to either post. He was appointed to V.P. and became President when Nixon resigned) 25th Amendment The president is one of the highest paid members of American society. (False. he makes a mere $400,000) No president has ever been elected to more than two terms (False. FDR gained four terms)

Section One: President & Vice President Clause one—How long is the President in office? Four year terms 1951—22nd Amendment changed it to a maximum of 2 terms or ten years FDR served the most years in office (12) Grover Cleveland served 2 nonconsecutive terms (22nd & 24th President of the United States)

Clause Two 2. Clause Two - How is the U.S. President elected? Electors—Presidential voters Electoral college—system used to elect the President, founders didn’t want a pure form of democracy, wanted a representative democracy 538=total number of Presidential electors, must have 270 to become president Purpose of the electoral college---give each state somewhat equal representation

Clause Three Clause Three—former method of electoral college (changed by 12th Amendment) 12th Amendment: Electoral college votes for the President and Vice on separate ballots. If no person receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House elects the President. In such an election, the representatives from each state have one vote among them. Majority of these votes necessary to elect President

Clause Four and Five Clause 4 - When does the Electoral College vote? Official ballot for President is cast by the Electoral College Electoral College—cast votes on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December Clause Five—What are the qualifications 35 years old, 14 year resident, natural born citizen 1st seven presidents were not natural born 1st natural born was Martin Van Buren Youngest—Teddy Roosevelt=42 Youngest elected—John Kennedy=43 Oldest—Ronald Reagan=69

Clause 6 and 7 Clause Six - Changed by the 25th Amendment The amendment provides for involuntary removal of the President from his power. Vice President to fill vacancy takes into account if President is temporarily not able to serve. Clause Seven - Can the Congress decrease the President’s salary midway through the term? (No) Can not increase or decrease during the term Can not receive any other salary from the federal government during the term Pays taxes on the income 2001 - Salary doubled to $400,000/ year Clause Eight - The Presidential Oath Any judge can swear a president into office, most common is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Section Two: Powers Clause One—What are the Military Powers? President is the head of the military: Commander in Chief President can grant pardons to criminals who have committed federal crimes Clause Two—Treaties and Appointments President needs approval by the U.S. Senate to create certain and specific treaties and appointments Clause Three - What if an ambassador dies when the Senate is in recess? The President can fill position temporarily

Section Three What are the Duties of the President? State of the Union Address - The President explains the condition of the country - usually in January President can convene and adjourn Congress in the event of a special circumstance Main job is to see that the laws are faithfully executed

Section Four--Impeachment President, Vice President, and all civil officers can be impeached Can only be impeached for three things: treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Judges are civil officers that are the most often convicted of impeachment Members of the Congress are expelled by their own house, they do not go through the formal impeachment process

Role of the President Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Commander-In-Chief Chief Legislator Chief of the Party Chief Guardian of the Economy

Role: Chief Executive Acts as boss of federal government workers in 14 executive departments. These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law. President has “the Executive Power” Power is very broad in both domestic and foreign affairs The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him. Example: Holding cabinet meetings and appointing supreme court judges.

Role: Chief Diplomat Conducts foreign policy by directing the actions of American ambassadors. The main architect of American foreign policy and the nation's chief spokesperson. Signs treaties and trade agreements with leaders of other nations.

Role: Commander-In-Chief In charge of US Armed Forces. President decides where armed forces are to be stationed, weapons to be used. Secretary of Defense under President. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the top military commander under President.

Role: Chief Legislator Congress has the power to make laws. President can propose bills and must sign bills into law. He often calls members of Congress to lobby for his agenda. Presents his agenda to Congress in the annual State of the Union address.

Role: Chief of the Party Presidents help members of their party get elected or appointed to office. They make campaign speeches needed for re-election. Head of fund-raising for the party.

Chief Guardian of the Economy Monitors unemployment, Inflation, taxation, business, and general welfare of the nation. Meeting with economic advisers to discuss ways to reduce unemployment. He does not control the economy, but he gets credit if it goes well.

Head of State The head of state embodies the political community and continuity of the state, and carries out ceremonial functions associated with representing the state both at home and in foreign policy, for instance in committing the state to treaty obligations.

MATCHING FUN  Head of State Chief Legislator Chief Executive Chief of the Party Chief Diplomat Chief Guardian of the Economy Commander-In-Chief 1)President Clinton appointed Ruth Bader Ginsberg to the Supreme Court. (Chief Executive) 2) Jimmy Carter brings Egypt and Israel together to sign the Camp David Peace Accords in 1979. (Chief Diplomat) 3) President Clinton sends Hillary Clinton to represent the United States at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. (Head of State) 4) President Kennedy orders America's nuclear forces on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. (Commander-in-chief) 5) President Carter placed restrictions on the sale of gasoline during the 1979 energy crisis. (Guardian of the economy). 6) The president makes his annual state-of-the union address to Congress to outline his agenda for the year. (Chief  legislator). 7) President Clinton may have broken federal law as he raised money for the Democratic National Committee in 1996. (Chief of the Party)

The Presidency Why do you think it is the most visible part of the American political system? Does the President really serve the needs of the American people? How does the office of the Presidency actually help the American people?