1. The White House

2. The President Qualifications for Office
The Constitution requires that the president must be:
thirty-five years old
fourteen years a U.S. resident
a natural-born citizen
Terms of Office
The length of the president's term was quite controversial...originally NO LIMITS
The 22nd Amendment now limits presidents to two four-year terms or a total of ten years in office.

3. Succession
Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 that stated the order of succession after the Vice President:
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
President’s Cabinet heads in order of the creation of their department
The 25th Amendment (1967) lays out succession and allows the president to appoint a new vice president if the post is vacant and steps to determine presidential disability

4. The Vice President 12th Amendment
Only formal duty is to preside over the Senate or to break tie votes in the Senate and help to determine presidential disability (25th Amendment)
Historically, the office has had little power and often VPs have low profiles.
A vice president is chosen for a number of reasons:
geographical balance
to bring the party back together at the convention
achieve a social and cultural balance on the ticket
VPs can also be used to overcome candidate shortcomings

5. Road to the White House 1. Exploratory Committee 2. Announce Candidacy
3. Primaries & Caucuses
4. The National Convention
5. The Campaign
6. Election Day (Electoral College)
7. Inauguration (Lame-Duck)

6. The Constitutional Powers of the President
The president received certain enumerated powers in the Constitution; however, the first line of Article II may be the most important grant of power to the president.
“the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.”

7. Presidential Powers

8. Chief Legislator
Chief-of-State
Chief Politician
Chief Jurist
Chief Diplomat
Chief Executive
Party Leader
Commander
-in-Chief
Persuasion
Power

9. Running the Government: The Chief Executive
The Vice President
Basically just “waits” for things to do
Recent presidents have given their VPs important jobs
The Cabinet
Presidential advisors, not in Constitution
Is made up of the top executives of the Federal Departments, confirmed by the Senate

10. Running the Government: The Chief Executive

11. The Cabinet
Usually an expert in department appointed with some political and private experience
In most cases, the person barely has any personal or political relationship to the president, if any
Some may be chosen for image of diversity
Cabinet members focus on department and not necessarily the loyalty to president or party

12. Running the Government: The Chief Executive
The Executive Office of the President
Made up of several policymaking and advisory bodies

13. The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
The EOP was established by FDR and is a very important inner circle of advisors to the president.
The EOP is staffed by persons responsible to the president alone but must be confirmed by Senate
National Security Council (NSC), the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

14. Running the Government: The Chief Executive
The White House Staff
The people most directly responsible to the president are the White House staff such as press secretary, personal assistants, senior aides, chief of staff, etc.
There is no Senate confirmation and their power comes solely from their personal relationship with the president.

15. Chief Executive Appointment Power Executive Order Agenda Setting
Power to appoint ambassadors, public officers, and Supreme Court Judges with Senate approval (advice and consent)
Myers v. United States
Executive Order
Agenda Setting
The President can control public policy and discussion through…
The media
State of the Union speech
Make policy proposals

16. Chief Legislator
Veto: Sending a bill back to Congress with his reasons for rejecting it
Pocket Veto: Letting a bill die by not signing it - only works when Congress is adjourned
Line Item Veto: ability to reject particular parts of a bill without vetoing the entire bill
Line Item Veto Act 1996
Clinton v. City of New York
“There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or body of magistrates.”

17. The President and National Security Policy: Chief Diplomat
Negotiates treaties with other countries
Must be ratified by Senate
Executive agreement
Does not require Senate approval
Diplomatic Recognition
Ex – USSR not recognized
Ex s – China not recognized

18. The President and National Security Policy: Commander in Chief
Writers of the constitution wanted civilian control of the military
Ability to deploy troops
War Powers Resolution

19. Executive Privilege
Power to refuse appearing before or refusing to provide information to Congress or the Supreme Court
Presidents argue for it based on separation of powers
United States v. Nixon (1974)
Evidence may not be withheld in criminal proceedings
Clinton v. Jones (1997)
Presidency cannot protect from civil litigation on actions before becoming president

20. Presidential checks on Congress
Recommend legislation
Veto power
Call special sessions
Adjourn Congress
Impoundment: refusal to spend funds appropriated by Congress (Budget Reform and Impoundment Act of 1974)
Divided Govt. (gridlock)

21. Presidential Checks on Supreme Court
Appointment of Supreme Court Justices and federal court judges
Reprieve—postpones execution of a sentence, temporarily freeing the individual from crime or imprisonment
Pardon—forgiveness of a crime AND its penalties
Commutation—reduction of penalties in a federal crime
Amnesty—group pardon