Ch. 7.1 The Executive Branch

Qualifications for President The president heads the executive branch—the top political job in the country and possibly the world The president heads the executive branch—the top political job in the country and possibly the world Some say the president is the “ leader of the free world ” Some say the president is the “ leader of the free world ” George Washington was the first to hold this office ( ) George Washington was the first to hold this office ( )

Qualifications for President To become president, a person must be: To become president, a person must be: 1. At least 35 years of age 2. A native-born American citizen 3. A resident of the United States for at least 14 years

Qualifications for President So far most U.S. presidents has fit a certain mold So far most U.S. presidents has fit a certain mold Male, Protestant, and Caucasian Male, Protestant, and Caucasian There have been some exceptions: There have been some exceptions: Catholic president---JFK Catholic president---JFK Female V.P. candidate---Geraldine Ferraro (1984) Female V.P. candidate---Geraldine Ferraro (1984) African American president---Barack Obama (2008) African American president---Barack Obama (2008) Jewish presidential candidate---Joe Lieberman (2000) Jewish presidential candidate---Joe Lieberman (2000)

Electing a President Presidential elections take place every four years in years evenly divisible by 4 (Congressional Bill 1845) *later revised Presidential elections take place every four years in years evenly divisible by 4 (Congressional Bill 1845) *later revised Ex. 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 Ex. 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 The Constitution set up an indirect method of election called the Electoral College The Constitution set up an indirect method of election called the Electoral College

Electing a President By marking their ballots for a particular candidate, voters are actually selecting their state ’ s electors By marking their ballots for a particular candidate, voters are actually selecting their state ’ s electors The electors are pledged to vote for the chosen candidate The electors are pledged to vote for the chosen candidate

Electing a President Each state has as many electoral votes as the total number of members in Congress Each state has as many electoral votes as the total number of members in Congress States with the larger populations have more electoral votes States with the larger populations have more electoral votes In almost all states, the winning candidate receives all the electoral votes, even if the person wins by only a small majority (winner take all) In almost all states, the winning candidate receives all the electoral votes, even if the person wins by only a small majority (winner take all) As a result, candidates focus their campaigns on states with the most electoral votes; It takes 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win As a result, candidates focus their campaigns on states with the most electoral votes; It takes 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win

Electing a President The media announces the winner the evening of the election (November) The media announces the winner the evening of the election (November) However, the outcome is not official until the Electoral College casts the ballots and Congress counts them in December/January at each state capitol However, the outcome is not official until the Electoral College casts the ballots and Congress counts them in December/January at each state capitol

Term of Office The president serves four year terms The president serves four year terms Every one from George Washington served no more than 2 four year terms until FDR won a 4 th term in Every one from George Washington served no more than 2 four year terms until FDR won a 4 th term in The 22 nd Amendment (1951) limits each president to two elected terms or a maximum of 10 years if the president took office during another president ’ s term The 22 nd Amendment (1951) limits each president to two elected terms or a maximum of 10 years if the president took office during another president ’ s term

Term of Office The president receives a yearly salary of $400,000 plus expenses The president receives a yearly salary of $400,000 plus expenses He lives and works at the White House; a large staff of 80 tends to the needs of the president and his family He lives and works at the White House; a large staff of 80 tends to the needs of the president and his family The White House has a private movie theater, gym, bowling alley, and heated pool; now a outdoor basketball court The White House has a private movie theater, gym, bowling alley, and heated pool; now a outdoor basketball court Camp David, Maryland serves as the president ’ s retreat and place to host foreign leaders; motorcade for the president is huge (Air Force One) Camp David, Maryland serves as the president ’ s retreat and place to host foreign leaders; motorcade for the president is huge (Air Force One)

The Vice President The vice president is elected with the president, and the qualifications are the same for both jobs The vice president is elected with the president, and the qualifications are the same for both jobs Except the V.P ’ s job is more political than administrative (campaign fundraising) Except the V.P ’ s job is more political than administrative (campaign fundraising) The U.S. Constitution gives little authority to the V.P. The U.S. Constitution gives little authority to the V.P. The vice president votes in the Senate in case of a tie, but otherwise has little authority The vice president votes in the Senate in case of a tie, but otherwise has little authority Yet if the president dies, is removed from office, becomes seriously ill, or resigns, he becomes president. Yet if the president dies, is removed from office, becomes seriously ill, or resigns, he becomes president.

Presidential Succession The Constitution was not clear about whether the V.P. would become president or just take over the president ’ s duties if the president could no longer serve ex. John Tyler 1841 The Constitution was not clear about whether the V.P. would become president or just take over the president ’ s duties if the president could no longer serve ex. John Tyler 1841 The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 established the line of succession The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 established the line of succession If both the president and vice president die or leave office, the Speaker of the House would be next in line followed by the President Pro Tempore, then the Secretary of State If both the president and vice president die or leave office, the Speaker of the House would be next in line followed by the President Pro Tempore, then the Secretary of State

Presidential Succession Later the 25 th Amendment further established that the vice president, after becoming president, would choose another V.P. Later the 25 th Amendment further established that the vice president, after becoming president, would choose another V.P. Both Houses of Congress must approve the choice Both Houses of Congress must approve the choice The amendment gives the V.P. a role in determining whether a president is disabled and unable to do the job; the vice president would then act as president until the president is able to go back to work The amendment gives the V.P. a role in determining whether a president is disabled and unable to do the job; the vice president would then act as president until the president is able to go back to work