ARTICLE II

THE PRESIDENTTHE VICE PRESIDENT

THE CABINETEXECUTIVE DEPTS. &

BUREAUCRACY

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

GPS

SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.

a. Describe the structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

b. Analyze the relationship between the three branches in a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.

SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the

United States. a. Explain the written qualifications for President of the

United States. b. Describe unwritten qualifications common to past

presidents.

Qualifications for President & Vice President

Must be 35 years oldMust be a natural born citizen

Must have lived in the U.S. the last 14 years

Informal Qualifications

Informal “Requirements”:White (except one), Male, Protestant (except one)

All manner of professions, but mostly political ones (former state governors, for example)

Compensation

Salary $400,000(2001)

$50,000 for expenses

$100,000 for travel

White House 132 rooms and office

Camp David Resort

Medical & Dental Care

Secret service protection-life

PensionTransportation

Term of office

The President and VP are elected to four year terms

The 22nd amendment limits the president to two terms or no more than 10 years

Presidential Succession Act

1. Vice-President of the U.S.2. Speaker of the House3. President pro tempore4. Cabinet secretaries in order of department origin (State, Treasury, Defense)

25th Amendment 1967

The 25th Amendment clarifies what happens if the president becomes disabled.

If President cannot complete his term, the V.P. becomes President

If V.P. office is vacant, the President appoints one with Senate approval.

RICHARD NIXON & 25th

Nixon elected 1968 & 19721ST V. P. Spiro Agnew resigned b/c of income

tax evasionNixon appointed Gerald Ford VPNixon Resigned b/c of Watergate scandal Ford is PresidentFord appoints Nelson Rockefeller VP

Richard Nixon

Watergate

http://watergate.info/

Rise of Political Parties

No Parties in Constitution1796 J. Adams-Federalist T. Jefferson-Republican

Adams Pres- won most Elector votesJefferson-VP- 2nd most

Thomas Jefferson-- Aaron Burr

Election of 1800

Adams vs. JeffersonChose V.P. candidates to run with

themAdams---Thomas PinkneyJefferson—Aaron BurrElectors voted twice. Jefferson and

Burr tied. Who is President?

Tie Goes to the House

House votes 35 times. Hamilton convinces them to vote for Jefferson.

Jefferson becomes 3rd PresidentAaron Burr is V.P. Later Burr will kill Hamilton in a duel.

Changes in Presidential Elections

1. Candidates select running mates.

2. Electors pledged to parties, not candidates; They vote for PARTY.

3. 12th Amendment added—Electors designate their vote as Pres. or V.P.

The Electoral College

Each state will have electors = to the number of senators + representatives given to that state

Electors may not hold any other office Electors will be appointed by state

legislatureElectors will determine the president

and vice-president

2010 Census

Amendment

23rd Amendment gave the District of Columbia 3 electors

Total 435+100+3=538 Elector votes

Jimmy Carter-Oval office

Some presidential trivia…

Youngest: Theodore Roosevelt (42)Oldest: Ronald Reagan (69)Longest Inaugural Address: William Henry

Harrison (105 minutes)Shortest Term: William Henry Harrison (32

days)Longest Term: Franklin Roosevelt (12 years)Tallest: Abraham Lincoln (6 feet, 4 inches)

Trivia, continued….

The ‘Teddy Bear’ was named for Theodore Roosevelt

Largest feet: Warren Harding (Size 14)John F. Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic

PresidentFather-Son combos: John Adams and John

Quincy Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush

….and more trivia….

President with most Grammy Awards: Barack Obama (2, both for Spoken Word performance)

Shortest and lightest President: James Madison (5 feet, 4 inches and +/- 100 pounds

Only President to not belong to a political party: George Washington

President who regularly went skinny dipping in the Potomac River: John Quincy Adams

Commander in Chief

Commander in Chief of the Armed ForcesCommander in Chief of the state militias

(now the National Guard)Commission all officersConstitution gives Congress the power to

declare war, but presidents can commit troops and equipment in conflicts

War Powers Resolution

President must consult w/ Congress before introducing armed forces into hostilities

Consult with Congress regularly until troops removed

If war not declared, President must submit report to Congress within 48 hours of troop deployment

President must remove troops after 60 days (+30 days for withdrawal) if Congress has not declared war

Party Leader

Presidents can offer party candidates support and punishment by withholding favors.

Presidential coattails occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president’s party because they support the president.

Legislative Leader

Gives a State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress each year. The most important speech the president gives to

Congress. This is where he outlines his legislative agenda for Congress.

Can use his veto power to prevent legislation. Can influence Congress by: bargaining,

making personal appeals, consulting with Congress, setting priorities, etc.

Economic Leader

Plans the federal budgetDevelops programs to help support and grow

the U.S. economy through the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor

Head of State

The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of all Americans

Represents the United States at ceremonial functions (medal ceremonies, lighting of the Christmas tree…)

Meets with and greets foreign leaders (kings, queens, prime ministers, ect.)

Chief Executive

Most important role of the PresidentActs as boss of federal government workers in 15 executive departments.

These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law.

The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him.

Example: Holding cabinet meetings and appointing federal officials.

Chief Executive

Can issue executive orders – rules and commands that have the force of lawFalls under the constitutional duty to “take care

that the laws are faithfully executed.”Can appoint judges to the Supreme CourtCan grant pardons – declares forgiveness and

freedom from punishmentCan issue reprieves – delays a person’s

punishmentCan grant anmesty – a pardon towards a group of

people

Chief Diplomat

Directs the foreign policy of the U. S.Negotiates treaties with other countries

must be approved by the SenateAppoints ambassadors to represent the U.S.

in other countriesMay negotiate for peace between other

countriesLead U.S. allies in defense & economic issues

Separation of Powers

Powers Shared w/ Senate

Make Treaties

Appoint Ambassadors, Judges, & high officials

Powers shared w/ Congress

Approve legislation

Presidential Leadership of Congress: The Politics of Shared Powers

Presidential Powers

The Expansion of Power Presidents may develop new roles for the office Presidents may expand the power of the office

Perspectives on Presidential Power Through the 50’s & 60’s a powerful President was

perceived as good. From the 70’s on, presidential power was checked and

distrusted by the public.

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

1. What is happening in this cartoon?Three speakers are evaluating a glass with liquid in it. The optimist and pessimist describe it as “half full” and “half empty,” respectively, but the administration spokesperson describes it as both—and finds a way to promote the president at the same time.

2. Which side does the administration spokesperson support? Explain.

The administration spokesperson supports the president, as shown in his linking the president with the “half full” view and speaking of the president’s “tireless efforts.”

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

Interpreting Political Cartoons Activity

3. Is the administration spokesperson an objective judge? What biases might he have?

The administration spokesperson cannot be objective, because he is employed to support the president. He probably has biases that favor executive policies and treat other points of view as obstacles or even enemies.

The Oval Office

White House Office

“West Wing”Closest to the Pres. #1 person is Chief of StaffPress SecretaryMany others with various names—Who is

closest to the Oval Office?

Removal of President

The president and vice president may be removed from office upon conviction of impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors

Which two presidents have been impeached?Andrew Johnson & Bill Clinton

Title: "Bill Clinton's Christmas present from the U.S. House."

Artist: John PritchettDate: unknownSource: http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/gift.htm

Removal of President

What were the outcomes of the impeachment of Andrew Johnson?

Remember - Reconstruction President who was in a fight with his own party over handling of former slave states, which led to his successful impeachment.

The powers of the presidency were secured against Congressional interference (separation of powers)