1. Welcome! Seng - AP Government Presidency
The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands. -Lyndon B. Johnson

2. Qualifications 35 years old Native born citizen
Resident of the United States for 14 years

3. Elections They serve a four-year term and then can run for reelection
Twenty-second Amendment limits presidents to two terms
Does not have to be consecutive

4. Succession
If a president leaves office before the term is finished, the Vice President takes the position
The Speaker of the House is second in line behind the Vice President

5. Twenty-fifth Amendment
Permits the Vice President to become acting President if the Vice President and the Cabinet determine that the President is disabled or if the President declares his own disability
Also creates a means for selecting a new Vice President when the office becomes vacant

6. Impeachment House can impeach the president
It is the political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law
BUT it does not remove the person from office

7. Impeachment
After the House impeaches, the Senate holds a trial with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presiding
Then they may convict the president and remove him from office

8. The Vice President
The VP’s primary job is to assume office if the president dies or is incapacitated.
His/her only formal duty is to preside over the Senate or to break tie votes in the Senate.
Historically, the office has had little power and often VPs have low profiles.

9. The Cabinet
The Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution and is formulated by each President as he/she sees fit
Washington started the precedent
The Cabinet consists of the heads of the major bureaucratic departments (State, Defense, Treasury, etc.)
The Senate must approve Cabinet appointments – but overwhelmingly, the Cabinet is controlled by the President

10. National Security Council
Created in 1947
Coordinates the President’s foreign and military policy advisors
Its formal members are the President, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president’s National Security Advisor

11. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Composed of a handful of political appointees and officials
They prepare the President’s budget
Has enormous power because of its ability to allocate money to the cabinet departments through the budget process of the executive branch

12. White House staff Loyal to the President
Chief of Staff, Congressional liaisons, press secretary, administrative assistants, counselors
Current Chief of Staff: Denis McDonough
Current Press Secretary: Jay Carney

13. Presidential Hats Legislative Power Chief-of-State Pardoning Power
Treaty-making
Power
Chief Diplomat
Chief Executive
Veto Power
Commander
-in-Chief
Appointment
Power
Presidential Hats

14. Chief Legislator
The President proposes bills to Congress and has the power to sign into law or veto any bill that Congress passes

15. Veto
Constitutional power of the President to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it
A two-thirds majority in both houses can override a veto
Remember this override has only happened about 2 ½ percent of the time
The power to veto legislation can be an effective tool of intimidation

16. Pocket veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the President who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it

17. Line-item veto
Governors have the ability to veto certain portions of legislation
For two years, President Clinton had this power
But it was struck down at the Presidential level by the Supreme Court in Clinton vs. New York

18. Head of the Party
In order to influence policy, presidents must work closely with Congress
Political parties help bridge the gap between the legislative and executive branches

19. Party Leadership
The President’s policies shape the agenda of the party
Presidential Coattails- these occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the President’s party because they support the President
Remember: the President’s party is more successful during a presidential election year; during the midterm election, the President’s party usually takes a hit

20. Chief Diplomat
Has the sole power to negotiate treaties with other nations (with 2/3s Senate approval)
Executive agreements – made with the heads of foreign governments, does not require Senate approval

21. Commander-in-Chief Civilian control of the military War Powers
War Powers Resolution – passed in 1973 in reaction to Vietnam; requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension
Considered a legislative veto, or Congress passing a resolution to override a presidential decision