The Executive Branch From Washington to Obama and beyond….

Some presidential trivia… Youngest assume office- Theodore Roosevelt (42) Youngest assume office- Theodore Roosevelt (42) elected- John F. Kennedy (43) elected- John F. Kennedy (43) Oldest: Ronald Reagan (69) Oldest: Ronald Reagan (69) Longest Inaugural Address: William Henry Harrison (105 minutes) Longest Inaugural Address: William Henry Harrison (105 minutes) Shortest Term: William Henry Harrison (32 days) Shortest Term: William Henry Harrison (32 days) Longest Term: Franklin Roosevelt (12 years) Longest Term: Franklin Roosevelt (12 years) Tallest: Abraham Lincoln (6 feet, 4 inches) Tallest: Abraham Lincoln (6 feet, 4 inches)

Trivia, continued…. The ‘Teddy Bear’ was named for Theodore Roosevelt The ‘Teddy Bear’ was named for Theodore Roosevelt Largest feet: Warren Harding (Size 14) Largest feet: Warren Harding (Size 14) John F. Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic President John F. Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic President Father-Son combos: John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush Father-Son combos: John Adams and John Quincy Adams and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush

….and more trivia…. Shortest and lightest President: James Madison (5 feet, 4 inches and +/- 100 pounds Shortest and lightest President: James Madison (5 feet, 4 inches and +/- 100 pounds Only President to not belong to a political party: George Washington Only President to not belong to a political party: George Washington President who regularly went skinny dipping in the Potomac River: John Quincy Adams President who regularly went skinny dipping in the Potomac River: John Quincy Adams George W. Bush was the school's head cheerleader. George W. Bush was the school's head cheerleader.

Contrary to popular belief, the country's first president had dentures made of gold, ivory, lead, and animal teeth NOT wood. Contrary to popular belief, the country's first president had dentures made of gold, ivory, lead, and animal teeth NOT wood. Andrew Jackson taught his parrot to curse and it had to be removed from President Jackson's funeral because it wouldn't stop swearing. Andrew Jackson taught his parrot to curse and it had to be removed from President Jackson's funeral because it wouldn't stop swearing. Millard Fillmore’s wife was his teacher. She was only about 2 years older than him but still… Millard Fillmore’s wife was his teacher. She was only about 2 years older than him but still… Calvin Coolidge had a morning ritual in which someone rubbed Vaseline on his head while he ate breakfast in bed. Calvin Coolidge had a morning ritual in which someone rubbed Vaseline on his head while he ate breakfast in bed.

James Buchanan was the only president to never marry, instead remaining a bachelor his entire life. James Buchanan was the only president to never marry, instead remaining a bachelor his entire life. Ulysses S. Grant was given a $20 speeding ticket for riding his horse too fast down a Washington street. Ulysses S. Grant was given a $20 speeding ticket for riding his horse too fast down a Washington street. Benjamin Harrison was the sitting president when electricity was first installed in the White House. However, he was scared of being electrocuted and refused to touch the light switches. Benjamin Harrison was the sitting president when electricity was first installed in the White House. However, he was scared of being electrocuted and refused to touch the light switches.

The Roles of the President Chief of State Chief of State Chief Executive Chief Executive Chief Administrator Chief Administrator Chief Diplomat Chief Diplomat Commander in Chief Commander in Chief Chief Legislator Chief Legislator Chief of Party Chief of Party Chief Citizen Chief Citizen

Chief of State The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of all Americans The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of all Americans “…the personal embodiment and representative of their dignity and majesty” “…the personal embodiment and representative of their dignity and majesty”

Chief of State An example of this is: An example of this is: When the president throws the first pitch at the beginning of the baseball season When the president throws the first pitch at the beginning of the baseball season

Chief Executive The President has broad powers to carry out and enforce the laws of the United States The President has broad powers to carry out and enforce the laws of the United States

Chief Executive An example is: An example is: In 1957, when Dwight D Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect African Americans students attend high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was the first time this high school accepted African American students In 1957, when Dwight D Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect African Americans students attend high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was the first time this high school accepted African American students

Economic Guardian Looks after the country’s producing, consuming, and distributing of wealth. Looks after the country’s producing, consuming, and distributing of wealth. Make sure there are jobs Make sure there are jobs Can raise or lower taxes Can raise or lower taxes

Economic Guardian An example of this is: An example of this is: Obama’s idea to remove “trust-fund loophole” so the really wealthy who get trust-funds must pay taxes Obama’s idea to remove “trust-fund loophole” so the really wealthy who get trust-funds must pay taxes

Chief Diplomat The President conducts foreign policy and is the nation’s spokesperson to the rest of the world The President conducts foreign policy and is the nation’s spokesperson to the rest of the world

Chief Diplomat An example is: An example is: President Jimmy Carter helped Menachem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt reach an agreement in 1978 President Jimmy Carter helped Menachem Begin of Israel and Anwar Sadat of Egypt reach an agreement in 1978

Commander in Chief The President is the head of the armed forces The President is the head of the armed forces The Constitution says this person must be a civilian and not an active military member The Constitution says this person must be a civilian and not an active military member Washington, Grant, Eisenhower Washington, Grant, Eisenhower

Commander in Chief An example is: An example is: When Harry Truman ordered the drop of the atomic bombs on two Japanese cities. When Harry Truman ordered the drop of the atomic bombs on two Japanese cities.

Chief Legislator The President is the main source of public policies and for the most part sets the agenda for what Congress works on The President is the main source of public policies and for the most part sets the agenda for what Congress works on

Chief Legislator An example of this is: An example of this is: When the President gives their “State of the Union” address every year to Congress When the President gives their “State of the Union” address every year to Congress

Chief of Party The President is the leader of his or her political party. The President is the leader of his or her political party. Parties are not mentioned in the Constitution Parties are not mentioned in the Constitution

Chief of Party (Party Leader) An example is: An example is: When Presidents run for the Republican or Democratic campaign When Presidents run for the Republican or Democratic campaign

Executive Orders An Executive Order is when the President can use his power to direct how the Federal government operates (without needing Congress approval) An Executive Order is when the President can use his power to direct how the Federal government operates (without needing Congress approval) It has the same power as Federal law! It has the same power as Federal law! Examples: Examples: Roosevelt created internment camps during WWII Roosevelt created internment camps during WWII Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of armed forces Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of armed forces

Can Congress stop an Executive Order? They can pass a Bill to stop the executive order They can pass a Bill to stop the executive order But….. The President can VETO that bill. But….. The President can VETO that bill. Then Congress will need to override the veto with 2/3 majority vote Then Congress will need to override the veto with 2/3 majority vote Supreme Court can also declare that bill unconstitutional Supreme Court can also declare that bill unconstitutional

Does it give the President too much power?

President Barack Obama Born August 4 th, Columbia University Graduate. Law Degree from Harvard University. Civil Rights attorney in Chicago. Served 3 terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 – Married with 2 children. Elected as the United States’ first African American President. 44 th President

Term and Compensation The President serves a FOUR year term. According to the 22 nd Amendment, he or she may only serve two full terms (or ten years in case he or she took over during another person’s term) The President serves a FOUR year term. According to the 22 nd Amendment, he or she may only serve two full terms (or ten years in case he or she took over during another person’s term) Some Presidents have called for a repeal of the 22 nd Amendment. What do you think? Some Presidents have called for a repeal of the 22 nd Amendment. What do you think?

So you want to be President, eh… What are the formal qualifications? What are the formal qualifications? A “natural born citizen” of the United States A “natural born citizen” of the United States Be at least 35 years of age Be at least 35 years of age 14 years a resident within the United States 14 years a resident within the United States At least 100 million Americans meet these requirements!

$$$ 1789: $25, : $25, : $400,000 + $50,000/yr expenses 2011: $400,000 + $50,000/yr expenses A nice house, big staff, protection, cars, Air Force One, Camp David, travel and entertainment funds and great health care! A nice house, big staff, protection, cars, Air Force One, Camp David, travel and entertainment funds and great health care!

Are you sure you want to be President?

The Vice President “I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may become everything.” --- John Adams “ The Vice Presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm spit.” --- John Nance Garner --- John Nance Garner

The Vice Presidency Vice President must meet all the same qualifications as the President Vice President must meet all the same qualifications as the President VPs take over if President dies, resigns, or is incapacitated (25 th Amendment) VPs take over if President dies, resigns, or is incapacitated (25 th Amendment) Duties: Presides over Senate (breaks ties) Duties: Presides over Senate (breaks ties) and helps to decide if the President is incapacitated and helps to decide if the President is incapacitated

Vice President Joe Biden Born November 20 th, 1942 in Scranton, PA. US Senator from Delaware from 1973 – Attended the University of Delaware. Doctorate from Syracuse University. Became the 47 th Vice President of the United States on January 20 th, 2008.

Order of Succession to the Presidency Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security

The Powers of the President 1. Veto Bills from Congress 2. Call Congress into special session 3. Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces 4. Pardon federal criminals 5. Make treaties with other countries (with Senate approval) 6. Appoint ambassadors, federal court judges, Supreme Court justices, top government officials (all with Senate approval)

The State of the Union The Constitution requires that the President report annually to Congress about the state of the country; this has become known as the “State of the Union Address” The Constitution requires that the President report annually to Congress about the state of the country; this has become known as the “State of the Union Address”