The Executive Branch and the Presidency Executive Branch

The Executive Branch and the Presidency

Executive Branch n n n Outlined in Article II of Constitution “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America” President has 5 major roles: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Chief Executive: enforce laws Chief Legislator (can propose laws to Congress) Chief Diplomat: negotiates foreign affairs Chief of State: leader or figurehead of govt. Commander in Chief of Armed Forces – Only Congress can declare war, but President can issue order for troops to be sent to areas of interest – – This results in “undeclared” wars (Korea, Vietnam, etc. ) Last war declared by Congress was WWII.

Presidential Duties/Responsibilities Handles both foreign and domestic policy issues n Foreign Policy: relationship with other nations n – What are some examples of foreign policy? § War, treaties, international trade, foreign aid, etc. ) n Domestic Policy: actions taken to address issues at home (within the U. S. ) – What are some examples of domestic policy? § Unemployment and inflation, crime, education, health care, drugs, etc. )

Qualifications for President Constitutional requirements – Native born citizen – At least 35 yrs of age – 14 yr. resident of U. S. n President’s typically meet the following criteria as well (these are not official requirements) – Male – White – Protestant (except JFK, he was Catholic) – Wealthy (over half) – College education (all but 9) – From rural communities – Married (except James Buchanon-only bachelor & Ronald Reagan- only divorcee) n

Presidential Trivia n 45 Presidents – 8 died in office § 4 assassinated: Lincoln (1865), Garfield (1881), Mc. Kinley (1901), JFK (1963) – 1 Resigned (Nixon in 1974) n Youngest elected: JFK= 43 – Teddy Roosevelt took office at age 42 after assassination of Mc. Kinley n Oldest elected: Trump= 70

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Election of a President n How is the President elected? – Article II, Section 1 established the Electoral College § 12 th Amendment: further addresses the electoral college – 538 electors in college, chosen by political parties in the state § 270 votes in E. C. needed to win election – Winner Take all system: popular votes are taken into consideration by electors and the candidate who gets the majority vote in the state will receive all electoral votes for that state. – Under rare circumstances, it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote, but lose the election § Has happened 5 times, most recently in 2016 – – – G. W. Bush over A. Gore B. Harrison over G. Cleveland (1824) R. B. Hayes over S. Tilden (1876) J. Q. Adams over A. Jackson (1888) Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump (2016) § 65. 844 million – 62. 979 million

Electoral College http: //faculty. njcu. edu/fmoran/elecol. gif E. C. Votes= Representation in Congress

Salary and Perks n $400, 000/ yr salary – $150, 000/yr for travel and office expenses $148, 400/ yr. retirement pension n Residence in White House n – Gym, pool, bowling alley, movie theater, private staff for cooking and cleaning Camp David: residence in Maryland n Free medical and dental care n 12 jets, 8 helicopters, presidential jet: Air Force One, limos n

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Term in office n Disagreement at Constitutional Convention – Settled for 4 yrs w/ possibility of re-election n Washington set precedent by serving only 2 terms – FDR is only President to serve more than 2 § Elected 4 times, died in beginning of 4 th term n 22 nd Amendment (1955): limits presidential term – Can only be elected twice – Anyone who serves more than 2 yrs. of another President’s term can only be elected one more time n 20 th Amendment (1933): Presidential term begins at noon on January 20 – Inauguration Day

Presidential Succession n Who takes over if President is unable to finish term? n 25 th Amendment (1967): established line of succession and procedures for taking new office (18 total) – – – Vice President Speaker of House President Pro Tempore of Senate Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury – See page 217 for complete list

Impeachment Process n – – n n n 3 President’s were impeached Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton Neither of the 3 were removed from office President can be impeached and removed from office for one of 3 crimes 1. 2. 3. Treason: crime against your country Bribery: payment for illegal activity Serious Misconduct: variety of crimes – Impeachment means to be charged with a crime – – – House of Representatives will bring charges against President Senate will hold a trial to determine guilt Chief Justice of Supreme Court presides over trial 2/3 vote required to remove from office Judicial branch can then prosecute a guilty person

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Duties of Vice President n Constitutional Duty is to preside over the U. S. Senate n In recent years, Presidents have given V. P. more responsibility – Oversee meetings, sit on committees, meet with foreign leaders, act as representative of U. S. in other nations, etc) – Salary = $231, 900

Presidential Cabinet The Executive office includes a huge federal bureaucracy (series of offices, departments, and committees) n President has cabinets or departments who advise him/her on important issues n – President Chooses a Secretary for each department (must be approved by Senate) – 15 cabinets § Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security n http: //www. whitehouse. gov/government/cabinet. html

Political Campaign Advertising Strategies n n n Slogan Tell the part, but not the whole Focus on self Focus on opponent Compare self to opponent Positive or Negative – Negative are Attack or Smear Ads – Negative Ads usually have a greater impact in swaying votes § Encourages voters to not vote instead of switch political party § Positive ads reinforce votes a candidate already has – Say “don’t vote for your guy” instead of “vote for my guy” n Types: Biographical (Experience), Emotional, Endorsement, Factual, Humorous, Issue, Personal, Record, & Response Ads