US Government Unit 4 The Presidency THE Job

US Government Unit 4: The Presidency

THE Job… • The president of the United States is generally considered to be the most important job in the world. – This is because of the power and influence the United States has on a global stage.

Qualifications… • 1. A native-born American citizen • 2. At least 35 years old • 3. A resident of the United States for at least 14 years

The Presidency… Thus Far… • Every president has been a white male, with the exception of President Obama. • All but one (JFK) has been a Protestant Christian – at least by name. • Most have been college educated. • Many were lawyers. • Most came from states with large populations.

The Election Process… • Presidential elections take place every 4 years, always on even numbered years. • The Constitution set up an indirect method of election called the Electoral College. – Individual voters technically do not vote for a candidate, rather they are selecting their states electors. – Electors are pledged to vote for the candidate chosen by the voters

The Election Process… • The Electoral College cont. – Each state has as many electoral votes as they have members of Congress • Thus, some states have more votes than others, and are more important to win by a candidate – Generally, the winning candidate receives all the electoral votes, even if they win by only a small majority – To win a candidate needs 270 of 538 vote to win the presidency – The president elect is sworn into office January 20 th of the year following the election.

Term of Office… • Presidents serve 4 year terms – The 22 nd Amendment limits presidential terms to a total of 2 terms – George Washington, our first president, chose to serve only 2 terms • All other presidents (except FRD) followed the example of Washington

The Vice President… • The VP is elected with the president • The qualifications are the same • The vice president is the president of the Senate and votes in case of a tie • The vice president assumes the office of the president if: – The president dies – Is removed from office – Becomes seriously ill – Resigns

Presidential Succession… • The issue of succession was not stated in the Constitution • The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 fixed it – 1. Vice President – 2. The Speaker of the House – 3. The President Pro Tempore – 4. The Secretary of State – 5. Other Cabinet Secretary positions (13) and the Attorney General • Any of the above must meet the qualifications of being the president before becoming president

Constitutional Powers… • The main job of the president is to carry out the laws passed by Congress • The Constitution gives the president power to: – Veto – Call Congress into special session – Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces – Receive foreign officials – Make treaties – Appoint judges and top government officials, with Senate approval – And pardon convicted criminals

Major Role of the President… • Chief Executive – The president is in charge of 14 cabinet departments and more than 3 million government workers – The president appoints the heads of cabinet departments and large agencies, with Senate approval

The President and Foreign Policy… • There are 4 main goals of American foreign policy: – Protect national security – Promote international trade – Promote world peace – Promote democracy