The Office of the President Chapter 17

Bellwork Explain if you believe that the office of the U.S. President has grown stronger or weaker over time. Support your answer with examples. Explain if you believe that the office of the U.S. President has grown stronger or weaker over time. Support your answer with examples.

Key Terms Chief Executive Chief Executive Term Term Succession Succession Balance the Ticket Balance the Ticket Cabinet Cabinet EOP EOP Chief of Staff Chief of Staff Press Secretary Press Secretary OMB OMB Fiscal Year Fiscal Year NSC NSC Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Chiefs of Staff CEA CEA

Creating the Executive Branch After the Revolution, people feared the power of a monarchy and royal governors After the Revolution, people feared the power of a monarchy and royal governors Wanted to have a balance of power between the branches Wanted to have a balance of power between the branches After the Articles of Confederation, realized the need for an executive After the Articles of Confederation, realized the need for an executive Studied Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Montesquieu Studied Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Montesquieu

Debates Over the Executive Strong, independent executive to check on the legislature Strong, independent executive to check on the legislature Weak executive appointed by Congress and subject to its will Weak executive appointed by Congress and subject to its will Everyone was seeking a proper balance of power Everyone was seeking a proper balance of power Some liked the idea of an executive committee, a group of several people Some liked the idea of an executive committee, a group of several people A single official A single official

The Unique American Presidency Nowhere in the world at that time was there a democratically elected executive Nowhere in the world at that time was there a democratically elected executive April 30, 1789 George Washington was sworn in as president, swearing to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. April 30, 1789 George Washington was sworn in as president, swearing to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. The President is the Chief Executive, or head of the executive branch The President is the Chief Executive, or head of the executive branch

Article II Article II of the Constitution states that the President shall hold the nations executive power

Requirements Formal Qualifications Natural born citizen Natural born citizen At least 35 years old At least 35 years old Resident of the United States at least 14 years before taking office Resident of the United States at least 14 years before taking office Informal Qualifications Political Experience Political Experience Political Acceptability Political Acceptability

Common Characteristics of U.S. Presidents

White White Male Male Protestant Protestant Descendents of North European immigrants Descendents of North European immigrants Married Married Financially successful Financially successful College Educated College Educated

The President May serve a maximum of two 4 year terms May serve a maximum of two 4 year terms Originally no limit Originally no limit Established a 2-term tradition from Washington on Established a 2-term tradition from Washington on FDR broke the tradition, served 4 terms FDR broke the tradition, served 4 terms 22 nd Amendment limited the President to 2 terms or 10 years in office 22 nd Amendment limited the President to 2 terms or 10 years in office Is paid an annual salary of (since 2001) of $400,000 Is paid an annual salary of (since 2001) of $400,000 Other benefits include: Other benefits include: White House White House Air Force One Air Force One Staff Staff Camp David Camp David Secret Service protection Secret Service protection Medical and Dental Medical and Dental

Presidential Succession Act of 1947 The order of succession was fixed by the act p.457 The order of succession was fixed by the act p.457 If the President is unable to serve, the Vice- President assumes the position If the President is unable to serve, the Vice- President assumes the position The next in line to the Presidency is the Speaker of the House The next in line to the Presidency is the Speaker of the House

25 th Amendment February 10, 1967 Presidential Disability and Vice Presidential Vacancies Presidential Disability and Vice Presidential Vacancies

The Vice President The office has become more significant in recent years The office has become more significant in recent years Salary $198,600 Salary $198,600 Constitutional Duties Constitutional Duties Preside over the Senate (casts tie-breaking vote) Preside over the Senate (casts tie-breaking vote) Help decide if a President is disabled Help decide if a President is disabled Assume the duties of President if necessary Assume the duties of President if necessary Formal qualifications are the same as the President Formal qualifications are the same as the President

Choosing the V.P. Presidential candidates name their running mates Presidential candidates name their running mates Choice is influenced by the need to pick someone to balance the ticket Choice is influenced by the need to pick someone to balance the ticket

The Cabinet The Cabinet is a group of advisors to the president The Cabinet is a group of advisors to the president The Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution but evolved out of tradition The Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution but evolved out of tradition The President appoints the heads of executive departments, thereby appointing the cabinet members The President appoints the heads of executive departments, thereby appointing the cabinet members The cabinet has no official power as a body The cabinet has no official power as a body Presidents determine how much power and influence their cabinets will have Presidents determine how much power and influence their cabinets will have

Choosing the Cabinet The President takes many factors into consideration The President takes many factors into consideration Political affiliation Political affiliation Experience in a given area Experience in a given area Geographic background Geographic background Desires of interest groups Desires of interest groups Appointments must be confirmed by Senate Appointments must be confirmed by Senate

First Executive Departments 1789 Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of War: Henry Knox Secretary of War: Henry Knox Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Secretary of Treasury: Alexander Hamilton Attorney General: Edmund Randolph Attorney General: Edmund Randolph

The Executive Office of the President The EOP is made up of the top advisors and assistants who help the president carry out major duties The EOP is made up of the top advisors and assistants who help the president carry out major duties The White House Office is led by the chief of staff, who has recently become one of the most influential presidential aides The White House Office is led by the chief of staff, who has recently become one of the most influential presidential aides Other EOP agencies include: Other EOP agencies include: OMB: Office of Management and Budget OMB: Office of Management and Budget NSC: National Security Council NSC: National Security Council Office of Policy Development Office of Policy Development CEA: Council of Economic Advisors CEA: Council of Economic Advisors