Executive Branch Chapter 13
The President’s Roles Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Commander In Chief Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief Citizen
Chief of State ceremonial head of the government of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation. EX: speech throws a pitch lighting Christmas Tree Pardons the National Turkey
Chief Executive The Constitution makes him or her the nation’s chief executive. The most powerful person in the world Runs both foreign and domestic affairs EX: decisions executive order or agreements
Chief Administrator Director of the United States government. Directs 3,000,000 employees and oversees spending $1.6 Trillion EX: appointments talks with Cabinet members employees
Chief Diplomat The main architect of American foreign policy and chief spokesperson to the rest of the world. EX: treaties meets with another head of state Summit Meetings United Nations
Commander in Chief Complete control of the nation’s armed forces. 2,000,000 troops in the most powerful military Limited by War Powers Act EX: send troops into battle declare war address the military
Chief Agenda Setter Main architect of the nation’s public policies. Initiates, Suggests, and Shapes Legislation EX: create laws or programs started
Chief of Party The acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch. EX: campaigning Endorsing Inauguration
Chief Citizen The President is expected to be “the representative of all the people.” All US citizens are constituents of the President Good Bad
Qualifications for the Presidency 35 years old Have lived in the US for the last 14 years Natural born citizen Informal Qualifications Intelligence, character, political background, etc.
The President’s Term 1951 – 22 nd Amendment was added to the Constitution. Who was the only President to serve more than 2 terms? FDR – served 4 terms Person can serve for 10 years total
Pay and Benefits Congress determines the President’s salary, and this salary cannot be changed during a presidential term. Currently, the President is paid $400,000 a year. expense allowance for the President, which is currently $50,000 a year.
Pay and Benefits Cont. He also gets to live in the 132- room mansion that we call the White House. Other benefits: a large suite of offices, a staff, the use of Air Force One, and many other fringe benefits. (WH Tour) (marines) (air force one) (inside the WH w/Obama) (bowling alley) (grounds)
Presidential Succession the plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled. 25 th Amendment 1. Vice President – Joe Biden 2. Speaker of the House – John Boehner 3. President Pro Temp – Orrin Hatch 4. Secretary of State- John Kerry 5. Secretary of Treasury – Jack Lew
Presidential Disability Sections 3 and 4 of the 25 th Amendment The Vice President is to become acting President if (1) the President informs Congress, in writing (2) the Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress, in writing
The Vice Presidency Constitution gives the VP two duties: President of the Senate To help decide the question of presidential disability If the office of VP becomes vacant, the President nominates a new one
Vice Presidents “Balance the Ticket” Presidents choose running mates who can strengthen his chance of being elected by virtue of certain ideological, geographic, racial, ethnic, gender or other characteristics
Electoral College Must reach 270 of 538 Possible to win popular vote and not electoral vote 4 Presidents: JQAdams, Hayes, Harrison, Bush Electors vote the way they want to If no one reaches 270, every state only gets 1 vote. (House)
Electoral College Benefits Winner is defined quickly All problems have been worked out already Stability of two-party system Cons Irrelevancy of national popular vote Focus more on swing states Discourages turnout and participation Disadvantage for third parties
2012 Electoral College Votes
2016 Election