The Executive Branch Enforces the laws n Supervise

The Executive Branch Enforces the laws n Supervise, lead, and make policy decisions Powers and responsibilities are described in Article II of the Constitution: “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows…”

Who would want to be president? For each year in office the president ages about 2. 5 years

President Bill Clinton in 1992 (46 years old)

President Bill Clinton in 2000 (54 years old)

President George W. Bush in 2000 (54 years old)

President George W. Bush in 2008 (62 years old)

President Jimmy Carter in 1976 (52 years old)

President Jimmy Carter in 1980 (56 years old)

Threat of Assassination Four presidents have been assassinated while in office n n Abraham Lincoln James Garfield William Mc. Kinley John F. Kennedy

Responsibilities Enforces the laws as head of the executive branch Conducts foreign policy n Deals with other countries on behalf of the United States Diplomacy n Nation’s chief spokesperson to other countries

Formal Qualifications Must be at least 35 years old Must have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years Must be a natural born citizen, meaning you were born in the country or were born to American citizens n Should the Constitution be amended to let foreign-born U. S. citizens become president?

Is Obama an American citizen?

Vice President Most important duty is to take over the presidency in the event of presidential death, disability, impeachment, or resignation Has traditionally carried out political “chores”— campaigning, fundraising, working with party members, etc. Also serves as president of the Senate; casts tiebreaking votes if necessary

Term and Pay President may serve two terms in office (8 years), or up to 10 years maximum Salary (as set by Congress): $400, 000 Benefits: White House, Air Force One, Camp David, $50, 000 expense allowance, etc. Inside the Obama White House: n http: //www. msnbc. msn. com/id/30892505/ n http: //www. whitehouse. gov/about/insidewhite-house

Presidential Roles The president has eight (8) major roles, which are exercised simultaneously.

Chief of State The president is the ceremonial head of government, the symbol of all people of the nation He both reigns and rules

Chief Executive Term for the president as vested with the executive power of the United States and outlined in the Constitution

Chief Administrator Head of the executive branch (administration) of the federal government

Chief Diplomat Main architect of foreign policy and nation’s chief spokesperson to other countries

Commander in Chief Commander of nation’s armed forces

Chief Legislator Architect of public policy and one who sets agenda for Congress

Chief of Party Acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch

Chief Citizen Representative for the people, working for the public interest

The roles of state, executive, administrator, diplomat, legislator and commander in chief are directly outlined in the Constitution The roles of party and citizen are assumed and simply add to the many responsibilities of the presidency

Executive Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization Federal government is the largest organization in the country Hierarchical structure (power runs top to bottom as if in a pyramid)

Bureaucracy in the School Think about the structure of authority and power in our school here at CB West. How might you describe the “bureaucratic blueprint” here in our building?

Executive Branch Executive branch is a bureaucracy Examples of agencies within the executive bureaucratic structure – Internal Revenue Service (IRS) n Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) n Social Security Administration (SSA) n

The Cabinet The president’s informal advisory body that assists him in the operation of the executive branch Each cabinet official is in charge of an executive department Fifteen (15) total cabinet positions How many can you name?

Individual Evaluation and Project Reflection Identify and briefly describe what you were responsible for/what you contributed to the project…be specific! What was the most interesting and/or surprising thing you learned about your candidate as a result of this project? Be specific! Would you recommend that I assign this project to future classes? Why or why not? n Suggestions for improvement? n Project strengths?

Group Evaluation In a one-paragraph statement, explain whether or not your group would select your assigned candidate as the nominee for his party/president of the United States n Be sure to justify your decision! Be prepared to share!