Do Now: Presidency Do Now: Presidency Please answer on your own Please answer on your own

paper…paper…

COPY: What does the President COPY: What does the President do? (what is his job as you do? (what is his job as you

understand it)understand it)

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The PresidencyThe Presidency

Ch. 12Ch. 12

Article IIArticle IIU.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

““The executive Power shall be vested The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of in a President of the United States of America.”America.”

President’s Explicit President’s Explicit Constitutional Powers…Constitutional Powers…

Execute (carry out) the laws passed by Congress. Veto (reject) bills passed in Congress Serve as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Receive leaders and other officials of foreign

countries. Make treaties with other countries (Senate must approve).

Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court judges, ambassadors, and other top government officials. (Senate must approve).

Pardon or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes.

(not that many “on paper” powers)

Qualifications of Presidency Qualifications of Presidency (and Vice President)(and Vice President)

At least 35 years oldAt least 35 years old

Native-born citizen Native-born citizen

Resident of US for at least 14 years Resident of US for at least 14 years

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Presidential power unofficially grew over time

Stewardship/leadership more necessary in the modern Stewardship/leadership more necessary in the modern worldworld

The size and complexity of modern governmentThe size and complexity of modern government Globalism- need for expanded foreign policy (esp since Globalism- need for expanded foreign policy (esp since

WWII)WWII) Increased war powers (sending advisors, drones) Congress Increased war powers (sending advisors, drones) Congress

has only declared war formally 5 times even though we has only declared war formally 5 times even though we have had 15 major wars have had 15 major wars

Need for fast/decisive action (eg. 9-11 attacks)Need for fast/decisive action (eg. 9-11 attacks) Executive agreements made with other countries (instead Executive agreements made with other countries (instead

of formal treaties)of formal treaties) Bully pulpit (“going public”) Media coverage!!!Bully pulpit (“going public”) Media coverage!!!

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Theories of presidential Theories of presidential powerpower

Whig theory Whig theory of presidency- holds that the of presidency- holds that the presidency is a limited or constrained office presidency is a limited or constrained office whose occupant is empowered to act ONLY whose occupant is empowered to act ONLY within the confines EXPRESSLY granted. within the confines EXPRESSLY granted.

-president as administrator (like pres. -president as administrator (like pres. Buchanan)Buchanan)

Stewardship theory- Stewardship theory- calls for a “strong” calls for a “strong” presidency that is limited, not by what the presidency that is limited, not by what the Constitution allows, but by what it prohibits.Constitution allows, but by what it prohibits.

-president as leader (like Teddy -president as leader (like Teddy Roosevelt)Roosevelt)

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The President’s The President’s Major RolesMajor Roles

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Commander in Chief

President has final authority over all military matters.

– Checks and balances: Congress declares war President can order troops into battle

– War Powers Act 1973

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Chief Executive

Carry out the nation’s laws Issue executive orders

– Regulation from president that has power of law (e.g. desegregation of schools, immigration)

Appoints cabinet members, judges, and other federal officials Senate must approve.

Issues pardons and grant amnesty (forgive)

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Chief Diplomat Deals with foreign countries Appoints ambassadors Makes treaties (approved by senate) Executive Agreements (not approved by senate) –

ex. trade NAFTA

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Head of StatePresident serves as a representative or

symbol of the whole nation

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Legislative Leader Introduce/ Propose Laws Calls special sessions of Congress to consider urgent

matters Approves or vetoes legislation

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Party LeaderSupports party members

in election campaignsHelps unify the party and

give it direction

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Economic Leader

President deals with economic problems (Unemployment, high taxes, rising prices)

Plans the federal budget– Congress must approve

Cabinet Heads of the 15 executive departments who “advise”

(give suggestions) to President on specialized areas President appoints; Senate Confirms; President

rewards political friends and supporters Not mentioned in the Constitution Historically met regularly with the president to help

with decision making (“kitchen cabinet”) Modern day – not influential over Pres decisions and

Pres has little power over departments Cabinet members see selves as representatives of

their depts WHO is chosen?

Appointments come from private business, universities, interest groups, labor unions, state officials, or Congress experienced, prior federal experience Politically and demographically diverse

Executive Office of the President Agencies report directly to the President and perform specified

services for him; experts; career civil servants Top positions are appointed and confirmed by Senate; can be fired

by President at will *Office of Management and Budget

-Assembles and analyzes the yearly budget the President submits to Congress; reviews & reorganizes the work of departments; 500 person staff

National Security Council

-lead advisory board in the area of national and international security; advises Pres on military and foreign affairs (Pres, VP, Sec of State and Defense, National Security Advisor

-Office of National Drug Control Policy

-CIA

-Council of Economic Advisers – Leading economists who inform Pres on nation’s economy

White House Office/West Wing President’s closest assistants – oversee the political and policy

interests of the President West Wing of the White House

Not approved by the Senate; hired and fired at will by the President Organization of personal staff

Pyramid structure Most assistants report through a hierarchy to a chief of staff who deals

directly with the pres. +Orderly flow of information; effective use of time -isolates or misinforms the pres.; chief of staff = powerful

Circular structure Cabinet secretaries, assistants and committees report directly to pres +ideas from several sources -too much info – confusion and conflict; ineffective use of time

Most end up with pyramid structure for efficiency

Road to the Presidency

2 year process, millions of dollars $$$$$$$$$$$

Step 1 - Deciding to announce

Step 2 - Presidential primaries

Step 3 – The National Party Convention

Step 4 - Campaigning for the General Election

Step 1 - Deciding to announce

-ensure political & financial support, usually Congressman or governor, press conference announcement

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Step 2 - Presidential primaries-traditionally Feb. in *New Hampshire 1st, other states hold

primaries through June-voters/delegates pledge support -similar to electoral college, convention delegates instead of

electors, many states have proportional representation – more partisan-frontloading – early primaries are more important than later ones; early wins in primaries mean more support (more media attention, more donors)

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Step 3 – The National Party Convention-Jackson & Dems had 1st nat’l convention; “grass roots”-Today primaries pick nominees (main candidates), nat’l

convention formally nominates-Nat’l conv: platform, unity, speeches, VP pick…pep rally for

T.V.

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Step 4 - Campaigning for the General Election

(June-Nov)

-2 candidates face off

-most $ spent here; election experts employed

-tone changes, shift to appeal to middle of road voters

-free T.V. time for debates (since 1960)

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The Electoral College

We elect our President and Vice President not by a national vote but by an indirect device known as the electoral college.

This system was devised because the framers didn’t trust the general public.

Each state legislature decides how to select its electors.

These individuals are generally longtime loyal party workers.

After President Jackson, the state’s popular vote decided the electoral votes (before the members could vote however they wanted)

They are expected to vote for the party’s designated candidate if their party wins the state.

A “faithless elector” is a member who does not follow this rule (they go against the choice of the people/party).

Many states have laws to punish faithless electors. There have been few faithless electors in recent history.

Electoral College cont…

To win an election, a candidate must have a majority of the electoral votes (270 or more).

If there is no majority, then the vote goes to the House where the top 3 contenders are voted upon- each state gets 1 vote.

If no candidate gets a majority of votes for Vice President, then the top 2 choices go to the Senate for a vote. Each Senator gets one vote.

Twice in our history the vote went to the House (Jefferson won over Burr 1800 and then John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson 1824)

Electoral College voters per state = # of reps + # of senatorsso you have 100 (Senators) + 435 (Reps) + 3 (D.C.)= 538 totalA majority to win is 270

*Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that are not winner-take-all (allocation by district winners)

How strong is your state?

What is your vote worth?

Link to explain “road to Presidency”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_713128&feature=iv&src_vid=XebP6GSy_6I&v=IDFDpR_bRgk

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