1. The President

2. Qualifications for President
The President is the head of the executive branch of govt.
The President is considered the top political job in the country and the world; why?
Constitution requires that a person who wants to serve as President be at least 35, a native born American citizen, and a resident of the United States for at least 14 years; why a natural born citizen?
So far every American president has been a male, all but one has been a Protestant Christian, most have won elections before, most have had a college education, most have come from large states
John Kennedy, the only Catholic President

3. Term of Office
Presidents are elected to a four year term through the electoral college
Under the 22nd amendment, ratified in 1951, Presidents can only serve two terms or 10 years; George Washington set tradition, Franklin Roosevelt broke tradition
President receives a salary of $400,000 per year, plus money for expenses and travel; is this a lot of money?
President lives and works in the White House and has a vacation retreat at Camp David in Maryland
President has access to a fleet of cars, helicopters, and airplanes, Air Force One
Marine One, the President’s helicopter

4. Constitutional Powers and Responsibilities
Veto bills passed by Congress
Call Congress into special session, when?
Serve as Commander in chief of the armed forces
Meet with officials of foreign countries
Make treaties with other countries with Senate approval
Appoint cabinet, federal judges, and ambassadors with Senate approval
Pardon or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes
Constitution requires president to give a Congress a “state of the union” from time to time

5. Vice President and Succession
Vice President is elected with the President through the Electoral College, same qualifications; Constitution says VP presides over the Senate and breaks a tie
Vice Presidents are not usually very visible, takes over if the President can’t perform his job, 9 vice presidents have become president due to the death or resignation of a president
In 1947 Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act, laid out who would become President in order
VP Joe Biden

6. Presidential Succession
1. Vice President of the United States 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretaries of the president's Cabinet now fill out the balance of list of succession:
4. Secretary of State 5. Secretary of the Treasury 6. Secretary of Defense 7. Attorney General 8. Secretary of the Interior 9. Secretary of Agriculture 10. Secretary of Commerce 11. Secretary of Labor 12. Secretary of Health & Human Services 13. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development 14. Secretary of Transportation 15. Secretary of Energy 16. Secretary of Education 17. Secretary of Veterans' Affairs 18. Secretary of Homeland Security