1. The Presidency

2. Constitutional Qualifications
Natural born citizen of the United States
What does this mean?
35 years of age
Lived in country for 14 years
Other “qualifications” are political considerations
Sidney Hyman’s list discussed in class

3. Term of Office Four year term 22nd Amend. (1951) limits to two terms
Washington set the tradition of two terms
FDR broke with tradition in 1940 on eve of World War Two
Sept 1, Germany invaded Poland
22nd Amend. (1951) limits to two terms
VP who succeeds to the Presidency after midpoint may serve two terms (if elected)
Maximum of 10 years

4. The Vice President Originally 2nd choice in Electoral College
12th Amendment changed to “ticket”
Electors cannot vote for both a President & VP candidate from their state.
25th Amendment select replacement VP if office is vacant

5. President Trivia President’s pay Expenses Room & Board Travel
$400,000
Expenses
$50,000
Room & Board
White House
Travel
Air Force One 747
Vice President’s pay
$237,000
Expenses
Room & Board
Naval Observatory
Travel
To various undisclosed locations

6. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief of State
Symbol of the U.S. Government & People
Represent U.S. to other countries
George Washington

7. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Executive
Enforces law,
court decisions
Appoints cabinet, commissioners, etc
Executive orders
Senate approval needed for many appointments
Franklin D. Roosevelt

8. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Diplomat
Foreign policy
Negotiate treaties
Appoint ambassadors
Recognize foreign countries
Senate must approve appointments and treaties (2/3)
James Monroe

9. Presidential Roles & Powers
Commander in Chief
Civilian authority over the military
NSC
National Security Council
Congress declares war
War Powers Resolution

10. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Legislator
State of the Union
Outline proposals
Veto bills
Call special sessions
Veto override
President proposes, Congress disposes
Lyndon Johnson

11. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Jurist
Appoints Federal Judges – for life.
Pardon
Senate must approve appointments
William Taft

12. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Economist
Control of Business Cycle
Fiscal Policy
Tax & Spending
Council of Economic Advisors
Congress control over Budget
Federal Reserve System

13. Presidential Roles & Powers
Head of Political Party
Political Patronage in Appointments
Control of Party they lead

14. Presidential Roles & Powers
World Leader
U.S. is most powerful nation on Earth
Economic power
Military power
Moral leader?
Every rational national leader in the world must consider the U.S. position when making a decision.

15. Presidential Roles & Powers
Chief Citizen
Representative of the People
Work for the public interest
Whole nation, not just those that voted for him.

16. Presidential Powers Executive Privilege President’s claim
Candid advice
Separation of Powers
Watergate tapes
U.S. v Nixon 1973
There is no “absolute unqualified presidential privilege of immunity from judicial process under all circumstances”

17. Presidential Powers Executive Orders –”executive power” Examples:
Have the full force of law
Some laws delegate to the President some degree of discretionary power
Examples:
integration of the armed forces - Harry Truman
the desegregation of public schools - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Executive Order Franklin D. Roosevelt
delegated military authority to remove any or all people in a military zone.
paved the way for all Japanese-Americans on the West Coast to be sent to internment camps for the duration of World War II

18. Presidential Powers War Powers Resolution 1973
Passed over Pres. Nixon veto
President must inform within 48 hours
If Congress doesn’t authorize:
Troops may stay 60 days
Additional 30 day withdrawal period
Constitutional?
Every President has questioned
Example of a Legislative Veto

19. Presidential Powers Budget Reform Act 1974
Presidents since Jefferson have impounded funds
Can temporarily defer spending
Cannot cut programs unilaterally
Established current budget process.
House & Senate Budget Committees
CBO – Congressional Budget Office
Fiscal Year starts on October 1

24. President Proposes, Congress Disposes