The Presidents Job Description List five informal qualifications

The President’s Job Description List five informal qualifications you think one should have in order to be seriously considered for the presidency. Formal Qualifications: 1. 2. 3. “natural born Citizen” of U. S. 35 years of age 14 years residency in U. S.

Which Amendment limited the President to two terms and why? 22 nd Amendment (1951): “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice…. ” n Maximum of two full terms [ 4 years/term] or 10 years n Tradition of two-terms an informal amendment to Constitution- is it arbitrary and undemocratic? n

Pay and Benefits Congress determines salary n It can not be changed during a term n $400, 000 per year set in 1999, became effective January 20, 2001. n Also provided with a $50, 000 -a-year expense allowance n Plus fringe benefits: White House, staff, cars, planes, Camp David, healthcare n

The President’s Roles Six formal roles come directly from the Constitution n Other roles have been assumed by Presidents throughout history n

1. Chief of State 2. Chief Executive n n Ceremonial head of government Symbol of the nation’s ideals, principles, traditions n n n “protect and defend the Constitution” (Art. II, s. 1) “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” (Art. II, sec. 3) Executive Orders/Executive Privilege Can grant pardons Appointment power

3. Chief Administrator n Appointment and Removal Power n n n Rule of Senatorial Courtesy – Senate will only approve appointees acceptable to Senators of Prez’s party from that state The Cabinet, White House Staff, federal judges, ambassadors, armed forces Director of Executive Branch/federal bureaucracy n n Over 2. 7 million civilians; more than $2 trillion/year Crisis Manager

4. Chief Diplomat in n Chief architect of American foreign policy n n n Appoints ambassadors Negotiates Treaties (with 2/3 Senate approval) Power of Recognition 5. Commander Chief n Final responsibility and authority for Armed Forces n n Delegates authority to Sec. Defense and Joint Chiefs Over 1 million troops subject to the President’s direct control

The War Powers Resolution (1973) n n n A result of growing frustration over Vietnam Provisions: 1) Within 48 hours after sending American forces abroad, President must report to Congress with details n n n 2) Combat commitment must end within 60 days, unless Congress agrees to a longer period 3) Congress may end combat by passing a resolution to that effect Not yet tested

6. Chief Legislator Main architect of public policies n Often shapes the congressional agenda n Initiates, suggest, or pressures Congress to enact much major legislation n Veto, Pocket Veto n

Informal Roles Chief of party n Leader of Political Party n Parties not mentioned in Constitution, but play vital role in govt. Chief citizen n Represent highest standards of citizenship n Expected to work for and represent the public interest

Economic Role n n Stewardship of economy International trade and planning Submits annual budget to Congress Economy seen as President’s job; President’s fault if poor

Succession of Presidency and VP n n Constitution says “power and duty” of the office transferred to the VP 1947 law – VP, then Speaker of House Question: If VP and majority of Cabinet declare Prez “unable to discharge powers”, what happens if Prez disagrees? Congress decides: 2/3 both houses

25 th Amendment (1967) n n o o o 25 th Amendment (1967): New Prez nominates new VP, who is confirmed by majority of Congress n If no new VP yet, 1947 law… Succession Problem…. . Agnew resigns (1973) Ford voted VP Nixon resigns (1974) Ford becomes President Rockefeller voted VP

25 th Amendment n o o Disability Problem: Regan shot (1981) Undergoes emergency surgery Does not transfer authority Confusion! VP Bush in air…. Secretary of State Haig criticized for taking charge

Presidential Transition n n n The Vice President ･ Speaker of the House ･ President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury ･ Secretary of Defense Attorney General ･ Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture ･ Secretary of Commerce ･ Secretary of Labor ･ 7 more cabinet positions are in the line of succession

Impeachment “Impeachment as provided for in the Constitution can never be wholly divorced from politics” - Chief Justice William Rehnquist n Impeachment is the process by which a civil officer of the United States is charged with wrongdoing. Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, and the Senate has the responsibility to try the charges and remove guilty parties from office.

Impeachment n n Article II Section 4 “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. ”

Impeachment procedure n n n Charges drawn House of Representatives votes. Simple majority sends case to House Judiciary Committee for investigation House Judiciary Committee then votes to send the case to full House

Impeachment n n n House votes - Simple majority sends case to Senate House managers appointed…act like prosecutors…present case to Senate vote…need 2/3 vote to impeach

Impeachment n o n n o o n Andrew Johnson (1868) Tenure of Office Act William Jefferson Clinton (1998) Impeached of perjury and obstruction of justice by the House, acquitted by the Senate Perjury (Defeated 45 -55) Obstruction of Justice (Defeated 50 -50) Richard Nixon would have been impeached in 1974 but resigned first