1. Institutions of National Government #3
The Presidency
Institutions of National Government #3

2. Expectations vs. Reality
However not all men are great. And Americans are skeptical about allowing individuals so much power
Americans seek out a powerful President of high character and great skill to lead and solve problems.

3. The Presidents Formal Requirements: Must be 35 years old
Must have resided in U.S. for 14 years
Natural born citizen
Informal “Requirements”:
White (One Exception)
Male
Protestant (One Exception)
All manner of professions, but mostly political ones (former state governors, for example)

4. How to Become President
Succession and Impeachment
The Vice President succeeds if the President leaves office due to death, resignation or removal
25th Amendment (1967) the Vice President becomes the acting president if the VP and Cabinet decide the President is disabled
Election: “The Normal” Way
Once elected the President serves a 4 year term
1951 (22nd Amendment) Limits the President to 2 terms

7. Presidential Power
Constitutional Powers of the Presidency are weak and reactive
Presidents looks for opportunities to expand power and define new roles
Crisis is the most “accepted opportunity”
“Hallowed Be Thy Presidency”: Until 1960s the American Public willing to allow expansion
“Deliver Us From The Presidency”: From 1970s on Presidential Power has been checked (mostly) and the public distrusts the President

8. Informal Powers
Executive Orders: A Presidential Order that has the force of law that does not require Congressional Approval (technically used to clarify a law or make it easier to enforce)
Executive Agreements: A Presidential agreement with another country that does not require Senate approval (A political agreement rather than a legally binding one)
Signing Statements: A written statement by the President upon signing a bill that includes the President’s objections to parts/all of the bill and may indicate how he will choose to enforce it (Constitutional, Political, Rhetorical)

9. Leads legislative direction of the nation
Chief Legislator
Leads legislative direction of the nation
Chief Executive
Head of Executive Branch and wielder of executive power
Commander-in-Chief
In command of the entire U.S. Military
The Jobs of the President
Chief Diplomat
Carry out Foreign Policy and relations with other countries
Symbol-in-Chief
Representative of the American People.
Chief of Party
Sets and leads the Party Agenda

10. The Chief Executive
Actions: Enforces Laws, Direct Agencies, Issue Executive Orders, Appoints Officials, Creates and Directs Commissions.

11. Running the Government: The Chief Executive
Constitutional Charge “take care that the laws are faithfully executed” Scope of the Job The Federal Bureaucracy Spends $2.5 trillion dollars (2,500,000,000,000) a year and employs more than 4 million people The President directly appoints 500 high level officials and 2,500 other positions

12. Organization of the Executive Branch
The Vice President
Basically just “waits” for things to do
Power has grown over time, as recent presidents have given their VPs important jobs
The Cabinet
Presidential advisors, not in Constitution
Made up of 14 cabinet secretaries and one Attorney General, confirmed by the Senate

13. Organization of the Executive Branch

14. Organization of the Executive Branch
The Executive Office
Made up of policymaking and advisory bodies
Three principle groups: NSC, CEA, OMB

15. Organization of the Executive Branch
The Executive Office
National Security Council (NSC)
Created in 1947 to coordinate the president’s foreign and military policy advisers
Members include the president, vice president, secretary of state and defense, and managed by the president’s national security adviser
Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)
A three-member body appointed by the president to advise on economic policy
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Performs both managerial and budgetary functions, including legislative review and budgetary assessments of proposals

16. Organization of the Executive Branch
The White House Staff
Chief aides and staff for the president—some are more for the White House than the president (Includes Chief of Staff, Counselor, and General Advisors)
Presidents rely on their information and effort but presidents set tone and style of White House
The First Lady
No official government position, but many get involved politically
Recent ones focus on a single issue, e.g., Hillary Clinton and health care

18. Organization of the Executive Branch