Presidential Qualifications To run for President…..one must be…. At least 35 years old A natural-born citizen Have lived in the US for 14 years Term in office: 4 year term 22 nd Amendment: limits the President to 2 – 4 year terms or 10 years total (thanks FDR) $400,000 /yr salary and a $50,000 expense account…..and oh, the perks…. George Washington: $25,000 /year salary (w/o all those perks)

Presidential Succession * This is the plan by which a vacancy in the presidency would be filled….due to death, resignation or removal from office 25 th Amendment provides for the line of succession: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, Treasury, etc….. All the way to last spot Sect of Homeland Security Presidential Disability: if the President is disabled, the Vice President may temporarily assume his duties…the VP and a majority of the members of the Cabinet must inform Congress, in writing, that the President is incapacitated. The President may resume his duties by informing Congress that those conditions no longer exist.

Vice President 1.The Constitutional duties are twofold: preside over the Senate and help decide the question of presidential disability 2. Often treated as an unimportant office, has had little power or influence over the President in the past 3. Must be ready to assume the Presidency at a moment’s notice 4. If the office of VP is vacated, the President must nominate a new VP and this nomination must be confirmed by a majority vote of BOTH houses of Congress 5. Both major political parties choose VP candidates that help to “balance the ticket” 6. No matter what, the Vice President CANNOT be removed from office (President can’t fire him)