Presidents Job Description As we go through this
President’s Job Description � As we go through this presentation, please fill in the guided notes. � These notes will be used for a quiz. � Notebook checks will be: ◦ Notebook quiz - #1 ◦ Either Notebook “hand – in” certain papers – or notebook quiz #2
Starting facts � Current President: ◦ Barack Obama ◦ Democrat ◦ President # 44
President’s role � The President must fill a number of roles simultaneously. � The President is: � Chief of State: ◦ Ceremonial head of the US ◦ Symbol of the people of the nation
President 4 � 2. Chief Executive: ◦ Has power given to him by the Constitution as executive ◦ Power is broad in both domestic and foreign affairs
President 5 � 3. Chief Administrator ◦ Heads one of the largest governmental organizations in the world ◦ More than 2. 7 million people employed by the government
President 6 � 4. Chief diplomat ◦ Main architect of US foreign policy ◦ Nation’s chief spokesperson to rest of world ◦ What the President says or does is carefully followed in this country and the world
President 7 � 5. Commander in Chief of the nation’s armed forces ◦ 1. 4 million men and women in uniform subject to President’s direct and immediate control.
President 8 � 6. Chief legislator ◦ Main architect of nation’s public policy ◦ President initiates, suggests, requests, insists and demands that Congress enact much of the major legislation
President 9 � 7. Chief of party ◦ Leader of the political party in power in the Executive Branch ◦ Parties are not mentioned in the Constitution; this is not a constitutional role ◦ Parties do have a vital place in the workings of the government system
President 10 � 8. Chief citizen ◦ President is representative of the people ◦ Place of moral leadership
Formal qualifications 11 � President � Who must be a natural born citizen is protesting this? ◦ Technically someone born outside of US could become President – person born to American citizen parents is legally an American citizen at birth ◦ Question on Obama’s status --�Some claim certificate of birth is a forgery �Some claim he was born in Kenya �Some claim he cannot be natural born because he had British and American citizenship at birth
President 12 �A President must be at least 35 years of age ◦ Youngest President by election �John F. Kennedy at 43 ◦ Youngest President by succession �Theodore Roosevelt at 42 ◦ Oldest President elected �Ronald Reagan at 69
President 13 �A President must have lived in the US for 14 years. ◦ The 14 years refers to 14 years in a person’s life ◦ Dwight Eisenhower was in Europe during World War II and elected as president 7 years after the war ended
President 14 � President’s term ◦ Framers of the Constitution debated on the length of the term and agreed on four years ◦ There was no mention of number of terms ◦ So until 1940, it was a custom for the President to serve 2 terms because that is what George Washington did ◦ Franklin D Roosevelt was elected to 4 terms (did not complete the 4 th) � 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944
President 15 � The 22 nd Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1951 ◦ President terms set at 2 terms �However, if a person succeeds to office after the midpoint in a term, he could serve two more terms. �In effect, a person could serve for 10 years �Example: Lyndon Johnson became President in 1963. He ran for office and was elected in 1964. If he had run again in 1968 and won, he would have served for 9 years.
President 16 � Several measures have been proposed for the 22 nd Amendment � Repeal the 22 nd Amendment ◦ Undemocratic – people should decide who is President. ◦ Undercuts authority during second term ◦ Some suggest making �Presidency a 6 year term �Single term would free a President from a campaign and allow him/her to concentrate on the demands of the office
President 17 � Pay and Benefits: ◦ Salary: $400, 000 per year ◦ Expense account of: $50, 000 ◦ Residency at the White House � 132 room mansion � 18. 3 acre estate
President 18 � Money for a large office and staff � Use of the Presidential limousine � Free phone service � Several first class airplanes and helicopters ◦ Air Force One � Unlimited use of mountain resort: ◦ Camp David � Free medical and dental care
President 19 �A lifetime pension of: $191, 300 (based on 2008) � The best personal protection in the world (Secret Service) � Secret Service protection for 10 years after leaving office � Children have Secret Service protection until they are age 16 � A Presidential widow will receive a pension of $20, 000 per year
President 20 � To operate the White House per year: ◦ $9, 260, 000
- Slides: 20