1. Executive Branch Overview
QT 59-72

2. Objectives Identify the eight (8) roles of the U.S. President
Identify source and implementation of Presidential powers of office
AZ Strand 3 Concept 2 P.O. 6 a-d
Analyze the structure, powers and roles of the executive branch of the United states executive branch.

3. Role of Executive Branch
President (POTUS) Enforces the Law
Provides Leadership and sets Priorities
Administers Bureaucracy
2.65 million civilians work for Executive branch
1.45 million active military

4. Law enforcement Private citizens help enforce the laws by:
Obeying laws (making it “normal”)
Helping friends make legal choices
Reporting crimes to police

5. I want to grow up and be President!
Three Constitutional Requirements:
35 years old
14 years resident
“Natural Born” Citizen
About 85% of people over 35 qualify to be US President

6. So I heard about Obama (b 1961)…
“Natural born” citizen means…
Born jus soli
Born jus sanguinus
US Law (title 8 USC code) states anyone born to a US mother after 1952 is automatically a citizen

7. Other Common President Characteristics
All Men
All “Christian”
32/44 Military service
21/44 Lawyers
37/44 born east of Mississipi River

8. Road to the White House Exploratory Committee Fundraising Caucuses
Primaries
Nomination Convention
Nomination
General Election
President Elect
Inauguration

9. First Steps Exploratory committee Fundraising
Group lets Federal Election Commission know their candidate wants to run for President
Fundraising
Speeches and media interviews, debates allow party “core” to sort among candidates, vote with pocketbooks
Barack Obama raised $750 million in 2008, and spent $735 million ($15 million to start 2012)

10. Getting Party Nomination
Caucuses (republic-style)
Primaries (democracy-style)
Local and state party leaders meet to decide which candidate to support
Candidates must pay attention to whole state
Preferred by small population states
Expensive to operate, but a tough test of candidate’s skills
State party operates a election with help of state government
Candidates pay most attention to large population areas
Preferred by large population states
Cheap to operate, but ignores rural areas

11. Nominating Convention
Democratic Party
Republican Party
2012 Charlotte NC
4236 total nominating delegates
3529 selected by state caucus & primaries
707 Party leaders
Barack Obama unopposed in 2012
What might be the pro/cons of being unopposed?
2012 in Tampa FL
2286 total nominating delegates
2100 selected by state caucus & primaries
186 Party leaders
Need 1145 to win
Party unifies behind one candidate to capture Presidency

12. Electoral College Structure 2008 Electoral College
Electoral College actually elects US President
Each state picks electors in their own way
Established to prevent mob rule, cheating in elections
Q# of electors =538
# of US House of Representatives +
2 Senators per State
+3 Votes for District of Columbia

13. Two Arizona Nominees Barry Goldwater John McCain 1964
Stood for principle vs. pragmatism
State’s rights
Lost election
2008
Supported Iraq War, Strong Military
Lost election

14. Winning the Presidency
270 to win
“Blue States” generally vote Democrat
“Red States” generally vote Republican
“Purple” or “Swing” States are hard to predict
States value changes as population changes

15. How will reapportionment effect 2012?

16. 4 Major problems with Electoral College
Any changes could be done by an Amendment
Not all American Citizens can vote for President
4 million live in territories (Puerto Rico, etc)
Majority of popular vote doesn’t always win
(2000 Bush v Gore)
“Faithless” elector can vote for anyone they wish
If no majority, the House of Representatives decides US President
(1876 Hayes-Tilden)