1. Executive Branch
8 Slides after this!

2. Executive Basics Described in Article 2
Responsible for executing, or carrying out, the nation’s laws
Headed by the President
The most powerful elected officer
44 different people in office

3. Qualifications Must be native-born citizen Be at least 35 years of age
Must have been a resident of the US for at least 14 years
Common Ties
All men
All but 1 have been white
All have been Christian
Most attended college
Many were lawyers
Most have held other political offices before President

4. Few Notable Presidents
Oldest-Ronald Reagan at 69 Years old
Youngest-John F Kennedy the youngest elected at 43. Teddy Roosevelt youngest sworn in at 42.
Median age is 54
Obama is currently 51.

5. Term in Office 4 year term May be elected to 2 terms
Cannot serve more than 10 years
FDR – only President elected to 3 terms

6. Salary and Benefits
Salary is set by Congress but Congress cannot change the salary for current President
$400,000 year – went into effect during H.W. Bush presidency – plus yearly expense account
Other benefits
Travel Air Force One
Lives in White House
Camp David vacation spot
Security – Secret Service for life

7. Impeachment
Impeachment – formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity
House votes to impeach but does not remove from office – just formal charges
Senate must have 2/3 vote to remove official
Andrew Johnson was impeached for violating the Tenure Of Office Act
Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath.
Neither were removed from office

8. Vice President Takes over if the President dies or resigns
Presides over Senate
Power is so limited John Adams, the first VP said it was the most insignificant office ever invented.
9 VP’s have taken over presidency
Must meet same qualifications as president
Salary $230,700

9. Other Notable Presidential Facts
7 Presidents have been shot – 5 were while in office – Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy died from shots
8 presidents have died in office
1 President has resigned

10. Electoral College Citizens do not vote directly for the President
Founding Fathers were uncertain how successful the people would be in choosing wise leaders
People who elect the president are called Electors
There are 538 electors
# of Representatives and Senators for each state, plus DC has 3 votes
Whoever won the popular vote in the state during the November election will receive the electoral votes for the state.

11. Electoral College Cont.
Whichever candidate wins the majority of votes for the Electoral College wins.
If no candidate wins majority of votes – the House of Representatives.