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The President: Qualifications & Roles
Civics
Terms and Salary
Two, four-year terms: 22nd Amendment
Pay: $400,000 + annually
Other perks: no expenses, security, speaking fees, memoirs, boards of directors
Introducing President Bill Clinton… (SNL)
Presidential Qualifications: Constitutional Requirements:
1. Natural Born Citizen
2. 35 years old
3. Resident in U.S. for at least 14 years
Are there any “unsaid” qualifications? NOT in Constitution Governmental experience (few
exceptions) Access to raising money! (From $62
million in 2000 to $80 mill. In 2004) Moderate Shared characteristics: white,
Protestant, male, middle-class, mid-age
The importance of Barak Obama’s election:
Talking Stick: Five Passes (after writing down response to this question)“Did the election of Obama break the color boundary for good in the US?
Why or why not?”
Roles of the President Constitutional
powers are both broad and vague
Other powers from tradition
"His High Mightiness, the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties"
What is a Chief Executive?
Chief Executive
Enforces laws, treaties, court decisions, appoints officials, issues executive orders
Checks: Congress’ power of the purse (over b.) Senate can reject appointments (inc.
cabinet & EOP) Impeachment SC can strike down executive orders
Chief Legislator
Proposes legislation Vetoes legislation Calls special session of Congress Checks: Congress doesn’t have to pass it! Congress can override veto! (2/3)
Commander in Chief
Head of Armed Forces Checks: Congress appropriates funds Congress declares war
Chief of State
Ceremonial head of nation
Chief Jurist
Appoints federal judges Issues pardons, reprieves, amnesty Checks: Rejection of judicial appointments “holds” on appointments Filibustering nominations
Chief Diplomat
Appoints and receives ambassadors Sets overall foreign policy Negotiates treaties + Executive agreements! Checks: Congress appropriates funds for
foreign policy Senate can reject appts. and treaties!
Let’s review some of the checks:
Non-Constitutional Roles
Head of political party (selects party’s chairman & VP) Chief Economist (responsible for overall economic
health) (proposes the federal budget)
Roles of the Vice President
Only two Constitutional duties:
1. Preside over the Senate (in case of tie)
2. Take over if the President is disabled
Other Roles of the V. President Standby work
(depends on the Pres!)
More responsibility (Post Eisenhower, ex. NSC)
“The most insignificant office ever conceived”-John Adams
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