ARTICLE II
Executive Depts. & Bureaucracy THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH The President The Vice President The Cabinet Executive Depts. & Bureaucracy
Qualifications for Pres. & V.P. Must be 35 years old Must be a natural born citizen Must have lived in the U.S. the last 14 years
Term of office: The President and V-P. are elected to four year terms The 22nd amendment limits the president to two terms or no more than 10 years
Compensation Salary $400,000(2001) $50,000 for expenses $100,000 for travel White House 132 rooms and office Camp David Resort Medical & Dental Care Secret service protection-life Pension Transportation
Presidential Succession Act 1. Vice-President of the U.S. 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro tem 4. Cabinet secretaries in order of department origin (State, Treasury, Defense)
25th Amendment 1967 If President cannot complete his term, the V.P. becomes President If V.P. office is vacant, the President appoints one w/ Senate approval.
RICHARD NIXON & 25th Nixon elected 1968 & 1972 1ST V. P. Spiro Agnew resigned b/c of income tax evasion Nixon appointed Gerald Ford VP Nixon Resigned b/c of Watergate scandal Ford is President Ford appoints Nelson Rockefeller VP
Richard Nixon
Watergate http://watergate.info/
John Kennedy & MLK
PRESIDENTIAL POWERS Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Grant reprieves & pardons for federal offenses Call special session of Congress Receive ambassadors Execute laws Appoint officials to lesser offices
Executive Powers The President has a “Special Power” called Executive Powers These “Powers” are commands that as the president he or she can give that have the Power of Law. They are still subject to interpretation from the Supreme Court and cannot infringe on the powers of Congress according to the Constitution.
Powers Shared w/ Senate Make Treaties Appoint Ambassadors, Judges, & high officials
Powers shared w/ Congress Approve legislation If a bill is veto, the President is denying a bill from becoming law. However, the Senate can override a veto with a 2/3rds vote.
Secretary of Homeland Security
White House Office “West Wing” Closest to the Pres. #1 person is Chief of Staff Press Secretary Many others with various names—Who is closest to the Oval Office?
Removal of President The president and vice president may be removed from office upon conviction of impeachment for high crimes and misdemeanors
Political Parties The authors of the Constitution had wanted to avoid political parties They believed that Political Parties would lead to too much division After the Whiskey Rebellion and the debate that followed it, politicians decided to form two major parties, the Federalist and the Democratic-Republicans
Political Parties Leaders Region Main Beliefs Federalist Alexander Hamilton, John Adams Northerners Normally sided with the Federalists Strong nationally based Federal Government Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson, James Madison Southerners normally sided with the Democratic-Republicans Smaller national government, stronger states rights.
Thomas Jefferson-- Aaron Burr
Election of 1800 One of the most important elections in American History Adams vs. Jefferson Chose V.P. candidates to run with them Adams---Thomas Pinkney Jefferson—Aaron Burr Electors voted twice. Jefferson and Burr tied. Who is President?
Tie Goes to the House House votes 35 times. Hamilton convinces them to vote for Jefferson. Jefferson becomes 3rd President Aaron Burr is V.P. Later Burr will kill Hamilton in a duel.
Changes in Pres. Elections Candidates select running mates. Electors pledged to parties, not candidates; They vote for PARTY. 12th Amendment added—Electors designate their vote as Pres. or V.P.
The Electoral college Each state will have electors equal to the number of senators + representatives given to that state Electors may not hold any other office Electors will be appointed by state legislature Electors will determine the president And vice-president
2000 Census
Amendment Gave Washington DC 3 electors Total 435+100+3=538 Elector votes
Jimmy Carter-Oval office
The Oval Office