1. Please do the following:
Please turn in your composition books immediately, bring it to my desk
Once you have turned it in you will complete your “The Sunshine State” Activity that you picked up on your way into class today

2. Article 2 Foldable
You will have the next 25 minutes to complete your Article 2 Foldable and turn it in.

3. Presidential Powers

4. President
The most powerful person in the United States is the President
What makes his position so powerful?
Does he really have the much power?
This lesson we will be looking at the powers and roles of the President and how has it changed over time.

5. Constitutional Powers
The Constitution is broad but vague when it comes to the powers of the president.
It says that the executive power of the nation will be vested in a president.
The nature of that power has been debated for the last 200 years.

6. Need for a strong executive
The Framers of the Constitution did not want the leader of the new executive branch to become a tyrant; however, knowing the weakness of the Articles of Confederation it was clear the needed a strong President for 2 reasons:
First
The Articles failed to have a President
Without a President no one can carry out laws
The government cannot respond quickly to immediate issues
Second
The Framers wanted to hold the Legislatures in check
The President will ensure the protection of liberty, private property, and businesses
Fear of “too much” democracy in the Legislative Branch

7. Powers Defined in Constitution
Article 2 of the Constitution outlines the presidential powers:
Power to Execute laws
Veto Legislation
Command the military
Engage with foreign leaders
With Senate Approval:
Make treaties
Appoint ambassadors and federal judges

8. Inherent Powers For Example
Inherent Powers: Powers that are claimed by the President that are not clearly expressed in the Constitution
For Example
Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory. Nothing in the Constitution said he could acquire territory. Jefferson thought that the power was attached to the office itself.
The efficiency of the government depends on a strong executive
These Powers are often used during war and times of emergency
Abraham Lincoln=Suspended Habeas Corpus in reaction to Civil War
FDR= New Deal in reaction WWII and Great Depression
Bush= Patriot Act in reaction to 9/11

9. Executive Privilege
Executive Privilege: the right of the president and other high ranking executive officers to refuse to testify before Congress or Court about communications between the president and his or her advisers
It is not named in the Constitution
Presidents since George Washington have claimed this privilege

10. Popular Opinion
Without favorable opinion, no president can carry out a political program
In 1968 public dissatisfaction with President Lyndon Johnson’s conduct of the Vietnam War convinced him not to run for reelection
In 1993 President Bill Clinton attempted to change the nation’s health care. Public opinion turned against this plan and he had to dismiss the idea
Public opinion shifted during the Obama presidency and Congress passed a new health care law
We currently see another shift under Trump’s presidency to change this health care law

11. The Vice President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Vice President once said: “This job isn’t worth a bucket of warm spit”
The Constitution only mentions two jobs that the Vice President must do:
Break a Tie Vote in the Senate
Be the President of the Senate
The Vice President is a stepping stone position to become the President
14 of our VP’s have become President
We now see the VP assists the President with his many roles