Chapter 13

The Presidency

PRESIDENT’S JOB DESCRIPTION

The President’s Roles Chief of State: ceremonial head of

the government of the United States Chief Executive: “The Executive

Power” of the United States Chief Administrator: Director of the

Federal Government Chief Diplomat: Architect of American

foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to the rest of the world

PRESIDENT’S JOB DESCRIPTION

Commander in Chief: leader of the nation’s armed forces

Chief Legislator: Main architect of its public policies

Chief of Party: Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch

Chief Citizen: Representative of all the people

QUALIFICATIONS

Natural Born Citizen 35 Years Old Residency: at least 14 years 22nd Amendment: made the

unwritten custom limiting presidential terms a part of the written Constitution – maximum of 2 full terms

PAY & BENEFITS

$400,000/yr. $50,000/yr. spending allowance (non-taxable) White House (132 rooms) Offices & Large staff Fleet of automobiles Air Force One and Marine One Camp David Finest medical, dental and other health care Travel & Entertainment Funds

PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION

The Constitution & Succession Succession: the scheme by which a presidential

vacancy is filled by the Vice President when a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office by impeachment

Originally: The Constitution declares that “the powers and duties” of the office – not the office itself – would transfer to the Vice President

Today: The 25th Amendment states that the Vice President shall become the President

Presidential Succession Act of 1947: set the order of succession following the Vice President

DIPLOMATIC & MILITARY POWERS

The Power to Make Treaties Treaty: formal agreement between two

or more sovereign states Must have Senate approval (2/3 vote) Has same legal standing as acts of

Congress Executive Agreements: pact between

the President and the head of a foreign state, or between their subordinates Does NOT require Senate approval

DIPLOMATIC & MILITARY POWERS

Recognition: The President, acting for the U.S., acknowledges the legal existence of that country and its government

Commander in Chief: Leader of the nation’s armed forces Shares military powers with Congress President always has the final authority

over and responsibility for all military matters

MILITARY POWERS

War Powers Resolution of 1973: designed to place close limits on the President’s war-making powers Within 48 hours after committing forces to

combat, the President must report to Congress Combat commitment must end in 60 days (may

be extended with approval from Congress) Congress may end the combat commitment at

any time by passing a concurrent resolution (could be vetoed)

WAR POWERS

Legislative Veto (override) All presidents since 1973 have deemed the law an

unconstitutional infringement of their powers

LEGISLATIVE & JUDICIAL POWERS

Legislative Powers Recommending Legislation

“Message Power”: the president gives 3 major speeches each year (State of Union, Budget Message, and the Annual Economic Report)

The Veto Power 4 options: Veto, Pocket Veto, Sign or 10 days

w/no action (in-session) The Line-Item Veto: gives the President the

power to reject individual items in spending bills

LEGISLATIVE & JUDICIAL POWERS

Judicial Powers Reprieve: postponement of the

execution of a sentence Pardon: legal forgiveness of a crime

Pardons are ABSOLUTE Must be accepted by the person to

whom it is granted Can give pardon in advance, before the

trial/conviction (Ex. Richard Nixon)

LEGISLATIVE & JUDICIAL POWERS

Clemency: mercy or leniency on a federal case

President has no authority over State violations (only federal)

Commutation: power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine

Amnesty: blanket pardon offered to a group of violators

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY

Federal Bureaucracy: all of the agencies, people, and procedures through which the Federal Government operates

Means by which the government makes and administers public policy President is the federal administrator of the Federal Government

Organization Executive Office of the President (OMB) 15 Cabinet Departments Large # of Independent Agencies

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY

The Name Game Department: reserved for agencies of Cabinet Rank

(Ex. Department of Defense) Agency/Administration: refers to any governmental

body (Ex. EPA or NASA) Corporation/Authority: title given to those agencies

that conduct business-like activities (Ex. FDIC or TVA) Bureau: Major elements within a department (Ex.

Within the Department of Justice – FBI) Why is it called the name game? – many are referred to

by their name or a given name (Ex. IRS or “Ginnie Mae” – Government National Mortgage Association

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (EOP)

The White House Office “Nerve Center” of the Executive Office Chief of Staff to the President directs all of the operations of the

White House Office

The National Security Council (NSC) Advise the President in all domestic, foreign, and military matters

that relate to the nation’s security

Office of Homeland Security

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (EOP)

Other EOP Agencies Office of Management & Budget (OMB):

major task is the preparation of the federal budget

Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives: charged with encouraging and expanding the combat against drug abuse, homelessness, and poverty by private groups

Office of National Drug Control Policy Council of Economic Advisors: major source

of information and advice on the nation’s economy

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT (EOP)

Other Units in the EOP The Office of Policy Development: advises on all

matters relating to domestic affairs Council on Environmental Quality: aids on

environmental Quality matters Office of the Vice President Office of United States Trade Representative:

advises on all matters of foreign trade Office of Science & Technology Policy: advises on

all scientific, engineering, and other technological matters

Office of Administration: “housekeeping” agency

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

15 Executive Departments Chief Officers & Staff

Each department is headed by a secretary (except for the Department of Justice – Attorney General)

The Cabinet Role: Informal advisory body Choosing Cabinet Members

President appoints, Senate confirms

THE CABINET

Departments

State Treasury Defense Justice Interior Agriculture Commerce Labor Transportation Energy Education Veteran’s

Affairs Health & Human Services Housing & Urban Development Department of Homeland Security

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Independent agencies are largely free from presidential control.

Three Types of Independent Agencies

1. Independent Executive Agencies Ex. NASA, EPA, Peace Corps, FEC, etc. Does not have Cabinet status Few employees and small budgets

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

2. Independent Regulatory Commissions Created to regulate and police important

aspects of the nation’s economy Ex. FTC, SEC, FCC, etc.

3. Government Corporations Subject to President’s direction and control Set-up by Congress to carry out certain

business-like activities Ex. FDIC, TVA, etc.

CONTROVERSIES IN PRESIDENTIAL POWER

Executive privilege: the right to confidential executive communications

Impoundment: president doesn’t spend money appropriated by Congress, now prohibited by law

Signing statements: is a formal document that explains why a president is signing a particular bill into law. They may contain objections and/or promises to not implement key sections

DESCRIBE THE PERFECT PRESIDENT Honest Well spoken Motivator Separate personal beliefs

from best for country Charismatic American No scandals College education Military background or

knowledge

Diplomatic experience Dedicated Basic business understanding Attractive / pride in appearance Scientific understanding Represents majority Moderate Not too old Intelligent / street smart Unifying Positive relations with foreign

nations

DESCRIBE THE PERFECT PRESIDENT Attractiveness Honesty Charisma Intelligence Public Speaking Ability Confidence Athletic Multicultural

Sound Economic Ideas / savvy

Patriotic Younger…not necessarily representative of the

country, more middle leaning

Wise choice for VP Clean past Good Listener

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THEM? Acts of God (expectations) Withdrawal from middle east

involvement Keeping economy moving up Good speeches Honesty / no scandals Dedication Keep us safe Perfection Healthcare reform,

comprehensive

More jobs Spending reductions College education more

affordable Keeps campaign

promises

WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THEM?

Action To provide Follow up on promises Improve upon previous presidency Honest Non-smoking, role model image Balance budget Environment Long term plans

CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT

Frequently tense relationship Tools of influence:

Mandates

Public approval to lobby congress

Reputation of presidency

Rally Points Presidential support score = percentage of times a

president wins on key votes in Congress

JUDGING PRESIDENTS

Crisis and War Historians debate http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4819433n&tag

=related;photovideo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States

FRQ PRACTICE

1. The president is the single most powerful individual in government. Some of the president’s most important responsibilities and powers fall in the area of national security.

A. Identify and explain two national security powers or responsibilities granted to the president in the Constitution.

B. Identify and describe two Constitutional limitations on presidential national security power.

FRQ PRACTICE II

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidate-match-game