The Executive Branch/ President

Qualifications for President 1. At least 35 years old 2. Born in the US 3. lived in US for 14 years

Almost all Presidents Have been white, Protestant-Christian men

Presidential Firsts 1 st Catholic President: John F. Kennedy (1960) 1 st Woman for VP: Geraldine Ferraro (1984) 1 st Jewish candidate for VP: Joseph Lieberman (2000) 1 st African American President: Barack Obama (2008)

Electing a President Take place every 4 years Electoral College: system of electing the President Each state gets Electors with the number of Senators and Representatives (538 in total- plus 3 for Washington DC) “winner take all”- candidate wins entire state

2008 Electoral College

Term of Office Serve 4 year terms Amendment 22: President cant serve more than 2 terms

Salary and Benefits $400,000 per year, plus money for travel expenses White House: (don’t write) – Movie theatre – Gym – Bowling alley – Heated pool – 80 caretakers Camp David: – Retreat and place to take foreign leaders Air Force One

White House

Camp David

Vice President President of the Senate No real power

Vice President “I am the Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may become everything.” -John Adams

25 th Amendment If the President dies, the Vice President takes over

The President’s Job

Powers in the Constitution Article II – Veto, reject bills passed by Congress – Call Congress into special session – Commander in chief of armed forces – Receive leaders of foreign countries – Make treaties (w/ Senate approval) – Appoint heads of agencies, federal court judges, ambassadors, – Pardon

Roles of the President Chief Executive Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Legislative Leader Head of State Economic Leader Party Leader

Chief Executive Enforcing Laws by Congress Executive Order- rule or command that has the power of law – Used to integrate army Appoint heads of agencies (CIA, FBI, etc.)

Chief Executive Pardon- declaration of forgiveness from a crime Amnesty- pardon for a group of people Reprieve- order to delay a punishment

Chief Diplomat Face of the Nation Meets with foreign leaders

Commander in Chief Top leader of all armed forces of US Congress declares war, but President controls army US declared war 5 times, President sent troops over 150 times since 1789 War Powers Act: President can only send troops for 60 days w/out Congress approval

Legislative Leader Power to suggest laws to Congress Veto

Head of State Face of the Nation Inspiring example for the American people Awarding medals Lighting National Christmas Tree

Economic Leader Does NOT run the Economy, but tries to help it run smoothly

Party Leader Gives speeches to help other members of the political party to get elected Helps party to raise money

Making Foreign Policy

President and Foreign Policy Implied power of President: dealing with Foreign Policy Foreign Policy- nation’s plan for dealing with other nations

Goals of Foreign Policy (in order) 1. National Security- ability to keep a country safe 2. International Trade 3. World Peace 4. Promote Democracy

Question: (do not write) How do we accomplish these goals?

Tools of Foreign Policy Treaties Ambassadors Foreign Aid International Trade Military Force

Treaties/Executive Agreements Treaty- formal agreements between 2 countries – NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Executive Agreement- agreement between the president and another leader

Appointing Ambassadors Ambassador- official representative of a country’s government Only countries we recognize

Foreign Aid Food, money, military assistance, whatever poor countries need Can withhold aid if they don’t do what we want

International Trade US biggest trading partner for most of world’s countries Can withhold trade Trade sanctions- punish another nation by not trading with them Embargo- agreement among nations to not trade with one country – Iran

Military Force Last Resort