1. The President

2. Constitutional Requirements
Qualifications
Art. II
“natural-born citizen”
14 years of US residency
35 years of age
THAT’S IT!!!
What other kinds of things do you think the president should have?

3. Military Power Commander in Chief (civilian control)
Prez can send armed forces abroad
Congress has not declared war since 12/8/1941
Korea, Vietnam, Iraq? – all Constitutional
War Powers Resolution, 1973
Prez must report to Congress within 48 hours after deployment
If Congress does not OK in 60 days, must withdraw
Check on president, attempt to limit president

4. Diplomatic Power
Create treaties with foreign nations with Senate permission, 2/3 Senate approval (advice and consent)
Executive agreement – not permission needed, deal between heads of state, not binding to next administration

5. Appointment Power
Power to appoint ambassadors, public officers, and Supreme Court Judges with Senate approval (advice and consent)
Civil Service – most gov jobs under executive filled based on merit system
Harriet Miers
John Bolton
John Roberts

6. Veto Power Veto – return the bill to house it originated
(no action within 10 days – bill becomes law)

7. Strengthening the Presidency
Washington – set precedent for future
Jackson – frequent use of veto power
Lincoln – Commander and Chief to new levels of power during the Civil War
FDR – huge influence on policy with New Deal, checked by Supreme Court

8. Executive privilege
The right to privacy of conversation between advisors and prez
Why?
Separation of powers prevents branches from sharing internal workings
Privacy is needed for candid advice from advisors with out political pressure

9. Executive Privilege US v. Nixon
Nixon refused to hand over recorded conversations, claiming Exec. Privilege
Court ruled in favor of US
EP can’t be used to block the function of the federal court procedures

10. Executive Orders Prez issues executive orders that have force of law
Ex – power to enforce the Constitution, treaties, laws, etc.
FDR – allowed Japanese internment
Truman – integrate military
Eisenhower – desegregate public schools

11. More about Legislative Powers
State of the Union
Setting the legislative agenda (telling Congress what bills Prez wants to see passed)
One strategy to get legislation passed is to appeal to the public directly for support.
This strategy of going public (also known as using the "bully pulpit“)
is based on the expectation that public support will put pressure on politicians to give the president what he wants
Presidential approval ratings (measured through surveys) impact the president's ability to influence the legislative agenda.
During the last year of his or her second term, a president is known as a "lame duck.“
Veto Power
Issue of Divided Government

12. Gridlock
Divided government – Prez and Congress majority represent different political parties
“gridlock” – the inability to accomplish goals
Con – government operation shuts down
Pro – slows the decision making process, example of check and balance

13. Vice President Preside over the Senate, tie breaking vote
Takes over the presidency if the President cannot finish term
12th Amendment – voters choose President and VP together
Previous to 1804, the losing candidate became VP

14. White House Office
“Pyramid” model – assistants answer to a hierarchy up to a chief of staff (few top advisors to prez, prez free but isolated)
“Circular” model – direct contact with staff (many top advisors to prez, prez busy but connected)
Significance: determines what aids have the most influence on presidential decisions

15. Executive Office of the President
Contains agencies and offices that advise the president on current issues
The White House Office keeps presidential schedule, writes speeches, and maintains relations with Congress, the press, and the public.
National Security Council – advises on military and foreign policy
Office of Management and Budget – prepares national budget, largest office
National Economic Council – advises with economic planning

16. The Cabinet 15 major department heads advising prez
“Inner cabinet” – Secretary of State, treasury, attorney general, and defense
Robert Gates – Secretary of Defense
Hillary Clinton – Secretary of State

17. Presidential Disability and Succession
22nd Amendment – limited President to 2 terms, serving no more than 10 years
25th Amendment – If the VP office is vacated, then the President can select a new VP

18. Impeachment
House impeaches, Senate tries the prez, Chief Justice presides over the trial
Two presidents impeached, neither removed (Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton)

19. Obama
Are individual personalities now more important than parties?

20. Bush
Can the President control public discussion?

21. Clinton, Reagan, Nixon
Does a president have to be “moral” in order to be a good president?

22. Nixon
Do Americans need a President to have trustworthy character?

23. Eisenhower
Must the modern President always be involved in everything or have a solution for everything?

24. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
What role does confidence in the President have on American morale?

25. FDR Does a lot of action and policy creation make a President “great”?
Can a President be “great” if not much is changed during their Presidency?