The PresidencyThe Presidency

The Executive Branch

Presidential Elections• Every 4 years

– Election Day: ____________________________________________________________

• Winner-Take-All System– The Electoral College: ____________

• Each state’s representation is based upon membership in the Congress.

• Possible to win popular vote but not Electoral College

– _________________________________

Inauguration• ________________________________

– Oath of Office• “I do solemnly swear, that I will

faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office_of_the_President_of_the_United_States

– ______________________– March from the Capitol

Building to White House/Party

Qualifications• Constitutional

– ___________________– ___________________– ___________________

• Realistic– Government Experience– Money– Political Beliefs– Personality– Speaking Ability

Term and Salary

• ______________________________________________– 2 full terms of 4 years– 10 years (How?)

• Salary– $400,000 a year ($230,700 for

VP)– $50,000 for expenses

connected with duties

Benefits• $100,000 for Travel

Expenses• _______________________• _______________________

_______________________• _______________________

_______________________• Cleaning and Cooking Staff• Entertainment Expense

Account• Pension: $191,300 a year

Benefits

• ______________– 125-acre camp– Maryland

(Catoctin Mountains)

The White House• 132 rooms• Pool• bowling alley• tennis court• movie theatre• Billiard Room• Jogging Track• Putting Green

Powers of the President

1. Mandate• Power coming into office after election• The Will of the People (how big did you win?)

2. Constitutional • _____________________________________________• _____________________________________________• _____________________________________________

3. Crisis Power– What do you do when things go

bad?• FDR: _______________________• W. Bush: ____________________• Jefferson: ___________________• Lincoln: _____________________

4. Mass Media Power– Press Conferences – ___________________________– ___________________________

Powers of the President

Limits to Presidential Power

• Congressional – _________________________– _________________________

• Limit of 60 days for troop deployment without permission of Congress

– Power of the Purse, Impeachment, and Confirmation Power

• Court– __________________________

Role of Vice President• _________________________

_________________________• _________________________

_________________________ • New Roles:

– Diplomatic Relations– Support of Presidential Platform– National Security Council member Joe Biden

The Cabinet• __________________, VP

and other advisors• How do you get in?

1. Must have expertise in the area of policy

2. Usually different demographically

– Geographic, Race, Gender, Religion, etc.

3. Administrative Experience4. Must be confirmed by

Congress

Why it is tough to be President• Qualities necessary

1. New ideas must be bold and solve problems2. Understanding the Public3. Ability to Communicate4. Sense of Timing5. Openness to new ideas6. Flexibility7. Compromise with Congress8. Courage to stand alone9. Avoiding Isolation