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THE PRESIDENCY

CHAPTER 13

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SECTION 1

Objective I.

Identify the President’s many roles.

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I. Identify the President’s many roles.

A. Chief of State

B. Chief Executive

C. Chief Administrator

D. Chief Diplomat

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I. Identify the President’s many roles.

E. Commander in Chief

F. Chief Legislator

G. Chief of Party

H. Chief Citizen

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SECTION 1

Objective II.

Understand the formal qualifications necessary to become President.

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II. Understand the formal qualifications necessary to become President.

A. Citizenship - Must be a natural born U.S. citizen.

B. Age - Must be at least 35 years of age.

C. U.S. Resident - Must have lived in the U.S. at least 14 years.

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SECTION 1

Objective III.

Discuss issues involving the length of the President’s term.

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III. Discuss issues involving the length of the President’s term.

A. 22nd Amendment – Presidents may serve a maximum of 10 years or two full 4

year terms. 2+4+4=10

B. A single term is 4 years.

C. Proposed change 1) A single 6 year term 2) Unlimited 4 year terms

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SECTION 1

Objective IV.

Describe the President’s pay and benefits.

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IV. Describe the President’s pay and benefits.

A. The President receives compensation in two forms:

1) Annual salary: $400,000.00 2) Annual expenses: $50,000.00

Vice President's SalaryThe salary of the vice president is currently (for 2004) $202,900

Presidential Retirement and MaintenanceFormer President Clinton will get an annual pension of $151,800 plus up to $150,000 a year to maintain an office and staff. Had Hillary Clinton not been elected to the U.S. Senate, she would have received $20,000 per year as a former First Lady.

Retired Presidents and First Ladies also receive Civil Service protection for 10 years after leaving office. Children of retired Presidents receive protection until they are 16 years old. 

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END OFSECTION 1

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SECTION 3

Objective I.

Explain the Framers’ original provisions for choosing the President.

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I. Explain the Framers’ original provisions for choosing the President.

A. Three methods discussed by the Framers 1) Election by Congress 2) Popular vote 3) Electoral College – Chosen

B. Presidential Electors 1) Cast two votes for President 2) Votes were called electoral votes

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I. Explain the Framers’ original provisions for choosing the President.

C. Why Not Popular Vote? 1) Framers opposed popular vote because

they did not think voters in such a large country would be able to learn enough about the candidates to make an informed decision.

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II. Outline how the rise of political parties changed the electoral process.

A. Electoral College 1) Group of well-informed citizens who could

choose the best person for the presidency. 2) Chosen by their political party in the

beginning. 3) If there is a tie, the House of

Representatives decide.

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II. Outline how the rise of political parties changed the electoral process.

B. 12th Amendment 1) Requires electors to designate which vote

is cast for President and which for Vice President.

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END OFSECTION 3

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SECTION 5

Objective I.

Understand the function of the electoral college today.

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I. Understand the function of the electoral college today.

A. Each State’s presidential electors are chosen by direct popular vote.

B. Chosen the Tuesday following the first Monday in November every fourth year.

C. Presidential electors cast votes to elect the President….not the people.

D. If there is a tie, the House of Representatives chose from the top three candidates.

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II. Describe the flaws in the electoral college.

A. First Major defect 1) The winner of the electoral vote is not

automatically the same as the winner of the popular vote.

B. Second Major defect 1) Electors are not legally bound to vote for the

candidate who wins their State’s popular vote.

C. Third Major defect 1) There is always the possibility of a tie.

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III. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of proposed reforms of the electoral college.

A. District Plan 1) A system in which presidential electors would

be chosen by each of a state’s congressional districts.

B. Proportional Plan 1) A system in which each presidential candidate

would receive the same share of a State’s electoral vote that he/she won in the popular vote.

2) Major criticism – weakens two-party system.

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III. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of proposed reforms of the electoral college.

C. Direct Popular Election 1) People vote for the President and V.P., not for

electors. 2) Unlikely because

a) A constitutional amendment is required. b) Small states oppose direct election. c) National campaign would cost more.

D. The National Bonus Plan 1) A system that would give the winner of the

popular vote a bonus in the elector vote.