The Presidency

1. The Presidency The Role of the Executive – Chief of State – head of government, symbol of the U.S., reigns and rules. Chief Executive – Executive domestic and foreign power, “most powerful office in the world.” Chief Administrator – director of the Federal Government, its budget (trillions), employees (3 million). Chief Diplomat – architect of foreign policy, major world influence.

2. The Presidency The Role of the Executive – Commander In Chief – direct and immediate control of the armed forces. Chief Legislator – architect of domestic policy, sets Congressional agenda. Chief of Party – leader of the political party that he or she represents. Chief Citizen – representative of ALL the people, represent public interests, moral leadership, all roles act in conjunction with each other.

3. The Presidency Qualifications – Natural born citizen or Jus Sanguinis** 35 years old (JFK, Theodore Roosevelt, Reagan) Live in the U.S. at least 14 years Term – Four year term; originally with no term limits 22nd Amendment – 2 Full terms; Max: 10 years Pay & Benefits – $400,000/year, $50,000 expense allowance, White House, Air Force One, medical, dental, travel, entertainment, Camp David, cars, helicopters, planes VP - $230,700 + additional benefits

4. The Presidency Presidential Succession – If the President dies, resigns, or removed the VP succeeds to the office. Not originally in the Constitution – “powers and duties” shift not the office itself. Tradition did start with John Tyler and was added to the Constitution with the 25th Amendment. Presidential Succession Act of 1947 – VP, Speaker of the House, Senator Pro Tem, Sec. of State, 13 heads of the Cabinet in order of their creation.

6. The Presidency Presidential Disability – 25th Amendment defines a disability issue. President informs Congress in writing VP and a majority of the Cabinet informs Congress in writing that the President is incapacitated. President can challenge this in writing VP and Cabinet can appeal Congress has 21 days to decide Only happened twice (Reagan/Bush & Bush/Cheney)

7. The Vice Presidency President of the Senate Assist in deciding the question of Presidential disability “Heartbeat away from the Presidency” Used to “Balance the ticket” Vacancy is defined by the 25th Amendment President selects a candidate and majority vote of Congress approves; Nixon/Ford, Ford & Rockefeller Recent Presidents have expanded their use of the VP Cannot be fired by the President

8. Presidential Selection Framers were against selecting the President by Congress or directly by the people. President and VP chosen by presidential electors – each casts two electoral votes – the candidate with the most is president – second most is VP.

9. Presidential Selection

10. Presidential Selection Electoral College started to break down with the Election of 1800. New elements were introduced Party nominations for President and VP Electors pledge to vote for their party’s presidential ticket Automatic casting of votes in line with the pledges. 12th Amendment (1804) – separated the ballots for President and VP.

11. 2008 Presidential Election Electoral Vote Data

13. The Electoral College Today Electors are chosen by popular vote. The party that wins the majority of the popular votes in each State gets all that States electoral votes. Electors meet at a time set by law to elect the President and their votes are sent by registered mail to Washington where they are counted on January 6th. In case of a tie for either spot, a decision is made by Congress.

14. The Electoral College Today Flaws in the Electoral College – Electoral College votes are not distributed in exact proportion to the population so the winner of the popular vote might not win the Electoral College vote. Electors are not bound by the Constitution or any Federal law to vote for the candidate favored by the people of their State. Election may be thrown into the House or Senate where voting is State to State.

15. The Electoral College Today Proposed Reforms – The District Plan – would allow electors to be elected in each congressional district rather than the current winner takes all plan. The Proportional Plan – would give each candidate the share of the electoral vote that he or she earned in the popular vote. Direct Popular Election – the Electoral College would be abolished and each citizen’s vote would be counted equally towards the Presidential election.

16. The Electoral College Today Proposed Reforms – The National Bonus Plan – under this complex plan, the winner take all feature of the Electoral College would be kept but weighed in favor of the winner of the popular vote, and the Electoral College would be abolished. The Final Word – defenders of the current Electoral College system emphasize that it is a known process and that it identifies the winner quickly and with certainty. They also claim that critics exaggerate the danger of an undemocratic outcome.

17. Chapter 5 – Political Parties Function – • Control government by winning elections and holding public office • Main purpose is to • influence government policy • nominate candidates • inform and activate supporters • assist in electing good, qualified, and successful candidates • govern based on partisanship • act as a watchdog

18. Chapter 5 – Political Parties • Serve as a link between people and government • Two-Party System • emerged over differences in interpreting the Constitution • loose vs. strict construction • Membership is voluntary –based on personal choice