The Presidency The Executive Branch

Presidential Elections Every 4 years –Election Day: ______________________________ ______________________________ Winner-Take-All System –The Electoral College: ____________ Each state’s representation is based upon membership in the Congress. Possible to win popular vote but not Electoral College –_________________________________

Inauguration ________________________________ –Oath of Office “I do solemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” –______________________ –March from the Capitol Building to White House/Party

Qualifications Constitutional –___________________ Realistic –Government Experience –Money –Political Beliefs –Personality –Speaking Ability

Term and Salary _______________________ –2 full terms of 4 years –10 years (How?) Salary –$400,000 a year ($230,700 for VP) –$50,000 for expenses connected with duties

Benefits $100,000 for Travel Expenses _______________________ Cleaning and Cooking Staff Entertainment Expense Account Pension: $191,300 a year

Benefits ______________ –125-acre camp –Maryland (Catoctin Mountains)

The White House 132 rooms Pool bowling alley tennis court movie theatre Billiard Room Jogging Track Putting Green

Powers of the President 1.Mandate Power coming into office after election The Will of the People (how big did you win?) 2.Constitutional _____________________________________________

3. Crisis Power –What do you do when things go bad? FDR: _______________________ W. Bush: ____________________ Jefferson: ___________________ Lincoln: _____________________ 4. Mass Media Power –Press Conferences –___________________________ Powers of the President

Limits to Presidential Power Congressional –_________________________ Limit of 60 days for troop deployment without permission of Congress –Power of the Purse, Impeachment, and Confirmation Power Court –__________________________

Role of Vice President _________________________ New Roles: –Diplomatic Relations –Support of Presidential Platform –National Security Council member Joe Biden

The Cabinet __________________, VP and other advisors How do you get in? 1.Must have expertise in the area of policy 2.Usually different demographically –Geographic, Race, Gender, Religion, etc. 3.Administrative Experience 4.Must be confirmed by Congress

Why it is tough to be President Qualities necessary 1.New ideas must be bold and solve problems 2.Understanding the Public 3.Ability to Communicate 4.Sense of Timing 5.Openness to new ideas 6.Flexibility 7.Compromise with Congress 8.Courage to stand alone 9.Avoiding Isolation