Chapter Thirteen: The Presidency

Learning Objectives Explain the formal qualifications for office and detail the ways that the informal qualifications have changed over time. Identify and explain the roles of the President (including head of state, chief executive, commander in chief, chief diplomat, chief legislator, and chief of party).

Learning Objectives Identify and explain the types of presidential powers: Constitutional powers; Statutory powers; Express powers; and Inherent powers. Explain impeachment, differentiate it from conviction, and give historical examples of the process.

Learning Objectives Describe the organization of the executive branch: The Cabinet; The Executive Office of the President; The White House Office; The Office of Management and Budget; and The National Security Council.  

Learning Objectives Discuss the evolving role for the vice president as an adviser and successor to the president. Describe the Twenty-fifth Amendment and discuss potential problems associated with it.

Who Can Become President? Must be a natural born citizen Must be at least 35 years old Must be a resident within the United States for at least 14 years

Who Can Become President? Process of Becoming President Nominated by party Win a majority of electoral votes

The Many Roles of the President Head of State Chief Executive Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Chief Diplomat Chief Legislator

The Many Roles of the President Head of State—As head of state, the president engages in many activities that are largely symbolic or ceremonial, such as: Decorating war heroes. Throwing out the first pitch to open the baseball season. Dedicating parks and post offices. Receiving visiting heads of state at the White House.

The Many Roles of the President Chief Executive—As chief executive, the president is constitutionally bound to enforce the acts of Congress, the judgments of federal courts, and treaties signed by the United States. Has powers of appointment and removal Has power to grant reprieves and pardons

The Many Roles of the President Commander in Chief—The President is the civilian commander of the U.S. armed forces. Wartime Powers War Powers Resolution

The Many Roles of the President Chief Diplomat—As chief diplomat, the president dominates American foreign policy: Recognizes foreign governments Makes treaties Executive agreements

The Many Roles of the President Chief Legislator—Presidents must recommend to Congress legislation that they judge necessary and expedient. State of the Union message Getting legislation passed Vetoing legislation

The Many Roles of the President

The President as Party Chief and Superpolitician The President as Chief of Party Constituencies and Public Approval Presidential constituencies Public approval “Going Public” for support

The President as Party Chief and Superpolitician

Special Uses of Presidential Power Emergency Powers Executive Orders Executive Privilege

Abuses of Executive Power and Impeachment Articles I and II of the Constitution authorize the House and Senate to remove the president, vice president or other civil offices for committing “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” House impeaches (accuses) Senate conducts trial

The Executive Organization Cabinet Executive Office of the President White House Office Office of Management and Budget National Security Council

The Vice Presidency The Vice President’s Job Strengthening the Ticket Supporting the President Presidential Succession The Twenty-fifth Amendment When the Vice Presidency Becomes Vacant

The Vice Presidency

Web Links The White House: extensive information on the White House and the presidency: www.whitehouse.gov. Bartleby.com: Internet publisher of literature, reference, and verse providing unlimited access to books and information on American presidents: www.bartleby.com/124.

What If…There Were No Executive Privilege? When a U.S. president wishes to keep information secret, he or she can invoke executive privilege. If there were no executive privilege, a president would have to be aware that all of his or her words, documents, and actions could be made public. There would probably be fewer records of administration’s activities.

What If…There Were No Executive Privilege? Without executive privilege, the president might experience problems in waging a war on terrorism. The White House would have a difficult time regulating the flow of past presidential records into the public forum.

You Can Make a Difference: Watching the White House Citizens should monitor the president’s performance and policies. You can maintain a connection to the White House and keep informed on the president's initiatives by logging onto www.whitehouse.gov. You can sign up for email from the White House or the President's political campaign to receive constant updates on policy initiatives or appointments.