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Executive Branch: Roles and Powers of the President

This chapter explores the roles and authority of the executive branch in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution. It covers the structure, powers, and demographics of the President, as well as the qualifications and term of office.

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Executive Branch: Roles and Powers of the President

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  1. Executive Branch: Roles and Powers of the President Chapter 8-9

  2. I Can: Describe the structure, powers and authority of the executive branch in order to demonstrate an understanding of Article II of the United States Constitution. Warm Up • If you were to design a “Help Wanted” poster for the job of President of the United States, what would it say? • What qualifications would you want the President to meet? • What characteristics do you think a person should have to be President?

  3. The Executive Branch:Structure Review President & Vice President Main Function: Lead Executive Branch Cabinet Main Function: Advisors to the President Departments and Regulatory Agencies Main Function: Enforce laws and regulations, and carry out policy

  4. Demographic Characteristics of Presidents • Male—100% • Caucasian—98% • Protestant—98% • British ancestry—82% • College Education—78% • Politicians—70% • Lawyers—63% • Top 3% wealth/social class—At least 50% • Elected from large states—70%

  5. Think About It… • Interpret each of the following quotes. • What message can be gleaned from each quote? • What seem to be the Presidents attitudes’ toward their jobs?

  6. President Harry S Truman "I sit here all day trying to persuade people to do the things they ought to have the sense to do without my persuading them. That's all the powers of the President amount to." 33rd President, 1945-53

  7. President John F. Kennedy "No easy problem ever comes to the President of the United States. If they are easy to solve, somebody else has solved them." 35th President, 1961-1963 National television address during the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 1962

  8. President Lyndon B. Johnson "The presidency has made every man who occupied it, no matter how small, bigger than he was; and no matter how big, not big enough for its demands." 36th President, 1963-69

  9. President Richard Nixon "Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the manner in which the president personally exercises his assigned executive powers is not subject to questioning by another branch of government." 37th President, 1969-1974 In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, President Nixon departs the White House after his resignation, August, 1974

  10. The President:Qualifications and Term of Office • Article II of the Constitution: the president must be • A natural born citizen of US • At least 35 years old • A resident of the US for 14 years before office • Informal Requirements: government experience, education, money, character

  11. Presidents’ Term and Compensation • 22nd Amendment (1951) limits Presidents to two terms. • A Presidential term is four years. • Current annual Presidential salary (set by Congress) is $400,000. • Benefits include pension, travel expenses, medical/dental care, security, and room & board in the White House.

  12. Presidential Roles • Head of State—ceremonial duties • Chief Executive—heads federal offices and agencies that carry out laws • Chief Legislator—propose legislation; veto power • Economic Planner—federal budget • Party Leader—patronage • Chief Diplomat—directs foreign policy • Commander in Chief—control of armed forces

  13. The President’s Powers and Tools of Influence • Article II control of armed forces, approves legislation, appoints executive officials, and appoints judges • Executive Order rules w/ force of law • Executive Agreement pact btw. President and foreign head of state • Executive Privilege refusal to provide info to Congress or a court • Reprieve postponement of legal punishment • Pardon release from legal punishment • Amnesty group pardon to people for an offense against the government

  14. Limits on Presidential Power • Congressional override of veto • Senate confirmation power • Congressional “power of the purse” • Impeachment • War Powers Act • Supreme Court • Public Opinion

  15. Closure: • Think back to what we learned about checks and balances… • How do the President’s powers/duties interact with the powers of the Legislative and Judicial branches?

  16. A Few of the Greats

  17. The Electoral College • # of Electors=# of states’ Representatives + Senators • Purpose—Founding fathers did not feel public knew enough about leaders/popular leaders not always best • Debated Issues • Winner Take All, 3rd Party Candidates, Election in House • Suggestions for reform • Proportional representation, Direct Popular Election

  18. BCR: Electoral College The elimination of the Electoral College is a proposal that has been made to expand democracy in the United States. • Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to eliminate the Electoral College? • Explain why you agree or disagree. • Include details and examples to support your answer.

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