1. The Executive Branch --Top Political job in the country.
--Because the US is so powerful and influential, president is considered to hold the most important job in the world
The Executive Branch

2. Qualifications According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution:
At least 35 years old
Native born American citizen
Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years
--According to the constitution the president has to have only three qualifications
--Almost all presidents have shared similar characteristics
every president has been male
Most have been protestant Christians, college educated, lawyers, come from states with larger populations
--Only recently have presidents started to come from wider backgrounds

3. President’s Term of Service
President serves a four year term
Constitution set no limits on number of terms president can serve
George Washington set the precedent at two
22nd Amendment limits president to only 2 terms
Approved in 1951
--Constitution originally set no term limits
--Washington refused to run for a third term
--1940, roosevelt ran for a third, 1940 fourth
--set maximum at 10 years if president began during another president’s term

4. Presidential Benefits
Salary-$400,000 per year
Plus money for expenses and travel
$50,000 for annual expense account
$100,000 for travel expenses
$19,000 for entertainment
Lives in White House
Staff of 80
housekeeping, chef, doctor
Guest House
Use of Camp David, retreat estate
--Camp david is a retreat in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland
60 miles from washington
actual name Naval Support Facility Thurmont
Eisenhower named it after his Grandson
--One of the most secure places in the world
maintained and guarded by the navy and marines

5. Presidential Benefits

6. Vice President Has same qualifications as President
Constitution gives little power to VP
Presides over the Senate
Votes in case of a tie
Becomes president if president can’t perform his job
--presidents have given VP’s more and more responsibilities over the years.
--46 VP’s
--9 have become president
--determines if president is fit to serve

7. Roles of the President Chief/Head of State
Acts as example for and symbol of the United States
Represents America at special occasions and ceremonies
Examples: Awarding medals and speechmaking
--greets kings and queens, prime ministers, and foreign leaders
--carries out ceremonial functions—lighting of the national christmas tree, giving medals

8. Roles of the President Chief Diplomat
Conducts foreign policy by directing the actions of American Ambassadors.
Signs treaties and trade agreements with leaders of other nations
--greets kings and queens, prime ministers, and foreign leaders
--carries out ceremonial functions—lighting of the national christmas tree, giving medals

9. Roles of the President Chief Executive/Administrator
Boss of federal gov’t workers in 15 executive departments
AKAThe Cabinet
These departments help the president carryout, enforce, or execute the law.
President chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him
Commander in Chief
--gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary
--in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards
--shares the power to make war with congress
--Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

10. Roles of the President Commander-in-Chief In charge of US Armed forces
President decides where armed forces are to stationed, weapons used
Commander in Chief
--gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary
--in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards
--shares the power to make war with congress
--Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

11. Roles of the President Chief Legislator
President proposes bills and signs bills into laws
Calls on members of Congress to lobby for his agenda
Presents agenda to Congress in annual State of the Union address.
Commander in Chief
--gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary
--in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards
--shares the power to make war with congress
--Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

13. Roles of the President Chief of Party
Help members of their party get elected
Head of fund-raising for the party
Commander in Chief
--gives the president the power to enforce his foreign policy decisions with force if necessary
--in charge of the army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guards
--shares the power to make war with congress
--Can send troops to a country before congress declares war.

14. Roles of the President Chief Citizen
Representative of all people and their interests
Provides moral leadership

15. Roles of the President Chief Guardian of the Economy Monitors:
Unemployment;
Inflation, taxation, business;
Does not control the economy, but gets credit of it goes well

16. Duties of the President
Constitution gives the president the power to:
Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, Ambassadors
Pardon (reduce penalties) against people accused of federal crimes
--pardon is a declaration of forgiveness
--reprieve order to delay a persons punishment until case is heard by a higher court
--Amnesty– pardon toward a group of people

17. Duties of the President
Must give Congress information about the “state of the union”
Speeches to Congress about how the country is doing
Legislative Leader
Proposes laws for Congress to consider
Economic Leader
Party Leader
--gives one state of the union address each year, article 2 section 3
--main address given in January.
--Congress expects president to propose legislation, also part of his state of the union address
--new laws that president wants
--build support for his programs
--Conflict can arise
--Tries to help the countries economy
--expected to deal with problems such as unemployment, rising prices, and high taxes
--leader of political party
--gives speeches to help fellow party members who are running for office
--also helps raise money.

18. President’s Cabinet Group that advises president on issues
Consists of 15 top-level executive departments
Headed by secretaries
Not mentioned in the Constitution
Created by George Washington
Meet whenever president feels it is necessary
--advise president on issues relating to their departments
--make important policy decisions
--first departments—secretary of state, war, treasury, and Attorney General
--department heads must be approved by senate
--Many presidents have not relied heavily on their cabinets, ignore cabinet advise and recommendations.

19. Presidential Succession
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veterans Affairs

20. Presidential Elections
Take place every four years
President is elected by the Electoral College
Group of people elected by each state legislature to elect the president
Winner-take-all-system
Who ever wins the popular vote gets all the electoral votes
--Constitution says that each state will appoint electors
--When you vote, you are actually voting for a group of presidential electors for each candidate
--Electors are chosen by state legislatures
--Even if candidate wins the majority vote by a tiny majority, he will win all electoral votes
--The system, as designed would rarely not produce a winner

21. Electoral College 538 total Electoral Votes
100 Senators Reps = DC = 538
Each state has as many electoral votes as the total of its U.S. Senators and Representatives
2 Senators + # of Reps = # of electors
CT 2 Senators + 5 Reps = 7 electors

22. Electoral College Candidate needs half, or 270 votes, to win
Otherwise the House of Representatives has to vote for the president
--Only happened twice, 1800 and Jefferson and Quincy Adams --