2. Electoral College The Process of electing a President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of “qualified citizens” Qualified citizens= 535 members of Congress and 3 members from District of Columbia MAGIC NUMBER TO BECOME PRESIDENT: 270 Electoral College votes! FUN FACT OF THE DAY: In reality your direct vote for president does not count

3. Term & Salary: Four Year Term 2 term limit (22nd amendment) 10 Year Maximum (those who take over presidency and then run 2x) FDR: elected to 4 terms(1933-45) limits were set by the 22nd Amendment (1951) Salary: 1789: $25,000/year 2001: $400, 000 /year

4. Job Description: The Responsibility of the Executive Branch is to ENFORCE LAWS

5. Job Description: 8 Duties: 1.Chief of State: ceremonial duties 2.Chief Executive: head of fed offices and agencies that see Congress’ laws are carried out 3.Chief Administrator: Boss of Department Secretaries 4.Chief Diplomat: directs foreign policy 5.Commander in Chief: control of armed forces 6.Chief Legislator: proposes new laws 7.Chief of Party: patronage 8.Economic Planner: requests federal budget

6. The President’s Executive Powers Ordinance Power (Executive Orders) Appointment Power Removal Power Diplomatic/Military Powers Legislative Powers Judicial Powers

7. The Ordinance Power President has the power to issue executive orders, which are rules, directives or regulations that have the effect of law. The President can issue these orders to any office of the Executive Branch The President does this to enforce acts or regulations of Congress.

8. The Appointment Power With consent of the Senate, the President appoints most of the top- ranking officers of the Federal Gov’t. Ambassadors and diplomats Cabinet members (Secretary of Education, State, Labor etc.) and top aides Heads of agencies (EPA, NASA,) Federal judges, U.S. marshals Officers in armed forces

9. Who has Obama appointed? The power to appoint is an Executive Power

10. The Removal Power Pres. doesn’t need reason to remove an official Senate consent needed for appointment…is it needed for removal??? Answer: NO!!! (Ruled in 1789 Congress debate) Solution to removal issues: “resignation”

11. Diplomatic/Military Powers Make treaties Executive Agreements Recognition Power Make Undeclared War (War Powers Resolution)

12. Legislative Powers of President Recommend Legislation Veto Power Veto: Refusal to sign a bill into law

13. Judicial Powers of President Grant pardons Commute sentences Grant amnesty

14. The President’s Cabinet Purpose: to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of their respective offices. Creation: Pres. George Washington

15. The President’s Cabinet: The Constitution does not directly mention a "Cabinet," but the Constitutional authority for a Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2. The Constitution states that the President "may require the opinion, in writing of the principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices."

16. Order of Succession: Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore of the Senate Secretary of State And each department of state that follows in order of oldest to newest

17. The Vice President:

18. Role of the Vice President 2 Formal Duties: To Preside over the Senate To help decide question of presidential disability “only a heartbeat away from the presidency!” Recently role has been reinvented Dick Cheney (Bush) – seen as most influential VP ever Joe Biden (Obama) – Served 36 years in Senate, Chair of Foreign Relations Committee When VP is vacant – president may nominate replacement – needs approval by majority vote of BOTH Houses of Congress