1. Enforcing the Law since 1789…
The Executive Branch
Enforcing the Law since 1789…

2. Qualifications… To be the President of the USA, you must be…
Must be a NATIVE-BORN citizen
At least 35 years old
Resident of the USA for at least 14 years
Qualifications…

3. Term Limit Presidential term is FOUR years Can only serve TWO terms
George Washington / Tradition
Franklin D. Roosevelt / Breaks tradition
22nd Amendment / Term Limits
Term Limit

4. Mr. President??? Most US presidents have been…
White men
Christians
College graduates
Military Experience
This is beginning to change…
Barack Obama in 2008
Sarah Palin in 2012?
Hillary Clinton 2016???
Mr. President???

5. The Vice-Presidency At first, VP did not do much…
Today, it has become more important
Next in line to be President
Represent the US overseas
Support the President
Sit in on important meetings
The Vice-Presidency

6. Question “What Makes A Great President?”
-Do you think there is a set of qualities a great president must have?
-Does the “man make the times” or do “the times make the man”?
-Why are certain presidents remembered and others forgotten?

7. Based on what you know, what do you think the President does?
Discussion Question

8. 1. Legislative Leader The President… Suggests new laws to Congress
Gives the State of the Union Address
Sends a budget plan to Congress
Speaks for or against certain bills
VETO POWER
1. Legislative Leader

9. 2. Commander in Chief The President… The head of the armed forces
Constantly meets with military commanders
Has the final say in how wars are fought
WAR POWERS ACT
President can send US forces anywhere in the world where he believes US interests might be threatened.
60 days / must recall troops unless Congress approves
2. Commander in Chief

10. Foreign Policy: the government’s plan for interacting with the other countries of the world.
The President must balance relationships with foreign countries and national security
Known as Diplomacy
Appoints diplomats / ambassadors
Meets with other national leaders
Promotes and Supports Treaties (approved by Senate)
3. Foreign Policy Leader

11. More Powers… The President has some “Judicial Powers”
Appointing Supreme Court Justices
Power to grant REPRIEVES (postponing a person’s sentence) and PARDONS (complete forgiveness of a crime)
Power of COMMUTATION: to reduce a person’s sentence
More Powers…

12. Executive Departments
The President does not make decisions alone
The President is aided by many experts and advisers
Today, there are 15 Executive offices to help the President carry out his duties.
The President appoints the leaders of these 15 offices.
Approved by Senate
These 15 people are known as “the Cabinet”
Executive Departments

13. Executive Departments

14. State, Treasury and Defense
Department of State
Run by the “Secretary of State”
Conducts foreign relations
Protects US citizens abroad
Issues passports and visas
Department of the Treasury
Prints, coins and issues money
Collects taxes and pays bills
Manages government funds
Department of Defense
Maintains the US armed forces
Conducts military studies
Operates military bases and academies
State, Treasury and Defense

15. Justice, Interior and Agriculture
Department of Justice
Run by the Attorney General
FBI works for this department
Defends the US in the courts
Investigates crimes against the US
Department of the Interior
Controls public lands and maintains parks
Oversees US resources
Department of Agriculture
Conducts studies to help farmers
Help farmers raise and market crops
Provides loans for farmland purchases
Justice, Interior and Agriculture

16. Commerce, Labor and Health
Department of Commerce
Encourages US trade and business
Publishes reports on business and trade
Promotes creation of small businesses
Department of Labor
Determines standards of labor
Seeks to improve working conditions
Publishes employment information
Department of Health and Human Services
Directs public health services
Ensures that food and medicines are safe
Commerce, Labor and Health

17. Housing, Transportation and Energy
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Helps urban housing programs
Works with cities to plan for future housing
Promotes neighborhood clean-ups
Department of Transportation
Develops highways and roads
Determines safety requirements
Department of Energy
Develops the US energy policy
Promotes conservation of energy
Regulates energy sources
Housing, Transportation and Energy

18. Education, Veterans and Security
Department of Education
Advises public school systems
Distributes funds to schools
Sets education policy
Department of Veteran Affairs
Oversees benefits given to veterans
Pensions, Health Care and School Loans
Department of Homeland Security
Defends the US against terrorism
Protects US borders
Governs cyberspace
Education, Veterans and Security

19. How to become President…

20. Meet the Requirements!

21. Step #1 – The Primaries Begins in January Application
Choose your political party
Primary races decide which candidate will represent that political party in the general election.
Step #1 – The Primaries

22. Step #2 – National Conventions
Begins summer of election year
Both parties host a National Convention
Winner of primaries is announced
Speeches are given
Party platform is written
VP announced
Step #2 – National Conventions

23. Leading up to the election
August - November
Candidates campaign throughout the country
Give speeches
Debate
Interview
Leading up to the election

24. Step #3 - General Election
First Tuesday of November
National vote for President and Vice President
People choose electors, who choose the President
Step #3 - General Election

25. Step #4 – Electoral College
Electors based on state population
Each elector gets one vote
Electors go to Washington and cast their vote for their presidential candidate
Newly elected President and VP are inaugurated in January
Step #4 – Electoral College

26. “The Political Machine”