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The Presidency

The Presidency. Chapter 13. President’s Job Description. The President’s Roles Chief of State: ceremonial head of the government of the United States Chief Executive: “The Executive Power” of the United States Chief Administrator: Director of the Federal Government

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The Presidency

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  1. The Presidency Chapter 13

  2. President’s Job Description • The President’s Roles • Chief of State: ceremonial head of the government of the United States • Chief Executive: “The Executive Power” of the United States • Chief Administrator: Director of the Federal Government • Chief Diplomat: Architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to the rest of the world

  3. President’s Job Description • Commander in Chief: leader of the nation’s armed forces • Chief Legislator: Main architect of its public policies • Chief of Party: Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch • Chief Citizen: Representative of all the people

  4. Qualifications • Natural Born Citizen • 35 Years Old • Residency: at least 14 years • 22nd Amendment: made the unwritten custom limiting presidential terms a part of the written Constitution – maximum of 2 full terms

  5. Pay & Benefits • $400,000/yr. • $50,000/yr. spending allowance (non-taxable) • White House (132 rooms) • Offices & Large staff • Fleet of automobiles • Air Force One and Marine One • Camp David • Finest medical, dental and other health care • Travel & Entertainment Funds

  6. Presidential Succession • The Constitution & Succession • Succession: the scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled by the Vice President when a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office by impeachment • Originally: The Constitution declares that “the powers and duties” of the office – not the office itself – would transfer to the Vice President • Today: The 25th Amendment states that the Vice President shall become the President • Presidential Succession Act of 1947: set the order of succession following the Vice President

  7. Diplomatic & Military Powers • The Power to Make Treaties • Treaty: formal agreement between two or more sovereign states • Must have Senate approval (2/3 vote) • Has same legal standing as acts of Congress • Executive Agreements: pact between the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates • Does NOT require Senate approval

  8. Diplomatic & Military Powers • Recognition: The President, acting for the U.S., acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government • Commander in Chief: Leader of the nation’s armed forces • Shares military powers with Congress • President always has the final authority over and responsibility for all military matters

  9. Military Powers • War Powers Resolution of 1973: designed to place close limits on the President’s war-making powers • Within 48 hours after committing forces to combat, the President must report to Congress • Combat commitment must end in 60 days (may be extended with approval from Congress) • Congress may end the combat commitment at any time by passing a concurrent resolution (could be vetoed)

  10. War Powers • Legislative Veto (override) • All presidents since 1973 have deemed the law an unconstitutional infringement of their powers

  11. Legislative & Judicial Powers • Legislative Powers • Recommending Legislation • “Message Power”: the president gives 3 major speeches each year (State of Union, Budget Message, and the Annual Economic Report) • The Veto Power • 4 options: Veto, Pocket Veto, Sign or 10 days w/no action (in-session) • The Line-Item Veto: gives the President the power to reject individual items in spending bills

  12. Legislative & Judicial Powers • Judicial Powers • Reprieve: postponement of the execution of a sentence • Pardon: legal forgiveness of a crime • Pardons are ABSOLUTE • Must be accepted by the person to whom it is granted • Can give pardon in advance, before the trial/conviction (Ex. Richard Nixon)

  13. Legislative & Judicial Powers • Clemency: mercy or leniency on a federal case • President has no authority over State violations (only federal) • Commutation: power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine • Amnesty: blanket pardon offered to a group of violators

  14. Major Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy • Federal Bureaucracy: all of the agencies, people, and procedures through which the Federal Government operates • Means by which the government makes and administers public policy • President is the federal administrator of the Federal Government • Organization • Executive Office of the President (OMB) • 15 Cabinet Departments • Large # of Independent Agencies

  15. Major Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy • The Name Game • Department: reserved for agencies of Cabinet Rank (Ex. Department of Defense) • Agency/Administration: refers to any governmental body (Ex. EPA or NASA) • Corporation/Authority: title given to those agencies that conduct business-like activities (Ex. FDIC or TVA) • Bureau: Major elements within a department (Ex. Within the Department of Justice – FBI) • Why is it called the name game? – many are referred to by their name or a given name (Ex. IRS or “Ginnie Mae” – Government National Mortgage Association

  16. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) • The White House Office • “Nerve Center” of the Executive Office • Chief of Staff to the President directs all of the operations of the White House Office • The National Security Council (NSC) • Advise the President in all domestic, foreign, and military matters that relate to the nation’s security • Office of Homeland Security

  17. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) • Other EOP Agencies • Office of Management & Budget (OMB): major task is the preparation of the federal budget • Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives: charged with encouraging and expanding the combat against drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty by private groups • Office of National Drug Control Policy • Council of Economic Advisors: major source of information and advice on the nation’s economy

  18. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) • Other Units in the EOP • The Office of Policy Development: advises on all matters relating to domestic affairs • Council on Environmental Quality: aids on environmental Quality matters • Office of the Vice President • Office of United States Trade Representative: advises on all matters of foreign trade • Office of Science & Technology Policy: advises on all scientific, engineering, and other technological matters • Office of Administration: “housekeeping” agency

  19. The Executive Departments • 15 Executive Departments • Chief Officers & Staff • Each department is headed by a secretary (except for the Department of Justice – Attorney General) • The Cabinet • Role: Informal advisory body • Choosing Cabinet Members • President appoints, Senate confirms

  20. The Cabinet • Departments • State Treasury • Defense Justice • Interior Agriculture • Commerce Labor • Transportation Energy • Education Veteran’s Affairs • Health & Human Services • Housing & Urban Development • Department of Homeland Security

  21. Independent Agencies • Independent agencies are largely free from presidential control. • Three Types of Independent Agencies • Independent Executive Agencies • Ex. NASA, EPA, Peace Corps, FEC, etc. • Does not have Cabinet status • Few employees and small budgets

  22. Independent Agencies • Independent Regulatory Commissions • Created to regulate and police important aspects of the nation’s economy • Ex. FTC, SEC, FCC, etc. • Government Corporations • Subject to President’s direction and control • Set-up by Congress to carry out certain business-like activities • Ex. FDIC, TVA, etc.

  23. Controversies in Presidential Power • Executive privilege: the right to confidential executive communications • Impoundment: president doesn’t spend money appropriated by Congress, now prohibited by law • Signing statements: is a formal document that explains why a president is signing a particular bill into law. They may contain objections and/or promises to not implement key sections

  24. Describe the Perfect President • Honest • Well spoken • Motivator • Separate personal beliefs from best for country • Charismatic • American • No scandals • College education • Military background or knowledge • Diplomatic experience • Dedicated • Basic business understanding • Attractive / pride in appearance • Scientific understanding • Represents majority • Moderate • Not too old • Intelligent / street smart • Unifying • Positive relations with foreign nations

  25. Describe the Perfect President • Attractiveness • Honesty • Charisma • Intelligence • Public Speaking Ability • Confidence • Athletic • Multicultural • Sound Economic Ideas / savvy • Patriotic • Younger…not necessarily • representative of the country, more middle leaning • Wise choice for VP • Clean past • Good Listener

  26. What do we expect from them? • Acts of God (expectations) • Withdrawal from middle east involvement • Keeping economy moving up • Good speeches • Honesty / no scandals • Dedication • Keep us safe • Perfection • Healthcare reform, comprehensive • More jobs • Spending reductions • College education more affordable • Keeps campaign promises

  27. What do we expect from them? • Action • To provide • Follow up on promises • Improve upon previous presidency • Honest • Non-smoking, role model image • Balance budget • Environment • Long term plans

  28. Congress and the President • Frequently tense relationship • Tools of influence: • Mandates • Public approval to lobby congress • Reputation of presidency • Rally Points • Presidential support score = percentage of times a president wins on key votes in Congress

  29. Judging Presidents • Crisis and War • Historians debate • http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4819433n&tag=related;photovideo • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States

  30. FRQ Practice • The president is the single most powerful individual in government. Some of the president’s most important responsibilities and powers fall in the area of national security. • Identify and explain two national security powers or responsibilities granted to the president in the Constitution. • Identify and describe two Constitutional limitations on presidential national security power.

  31. FRQ Practice II • http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidate-match-game

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