1. Executive Branch

2. Duties of the president
Commander in chief of the nation’s military
Makes decisions on how to deploy troops stationed worldwide and the defense budget
Appoints head of executive departments, federal court judges and other top officials
Senate approval needed
Makes treaties, meets with heads of state, hosts foreign officials and appoints ambassadors to represent the U.S
Makes sure all laws of the U.S are “faithfully executed”
Lawmaking power

3. President’s term
22nd Amendment: (1951) secures the presidential limit of two terms
Also allows a vice president who takes over the presidency and serves two years or less to serve two additional terms- in total up to 10 years
Born out of FDR’s 4 terms and concern over two much executive power

4. President’s Salary and Benefits
President does receive compensation but it is up to Congress to determine
In 2001, the most recent salary increase, the president receives $400,000/year in taxable salary and a $50,000 non-taxable expense account for expenses connected with official duties
Congress cannot increase/decrease the salary during a president’s term
Other benefits: Air Force One, planes, helicopters, limos, ect
Free medical and dental care

5. President’s Salary and Benefits
After they retire…
Lifetime pension of $148,400/year
Free office space, mailing services and $96,000/year for office help
Upon death their spouse can receive a pension of $20,000/year

6. The white house
132 rooms
Swimming pool, bowling alley, movie theater, tennis/basketball courts, flower shop
Domestic staff does cooking, cleaning, shopping, maintenance, ect.
Gov’t pays for expenses of operating White House however all personal entertainment not directly related to gov’t business is paid by the president

7. Presidential Succession
8 U.S presidents have died in office and after JFK many realized the rules for succession as laid out in the constitution were inadequate
25th Amendment: ratified in established order of succession and spells out what happens when the vice presidency becomes vacant
First applied in 1973 with resignation of Spiro Agnew
If the presidency and vice presidency are vacant at the same time the Presidential Succession Act of 1943 establishes the order

8. Current Succession # Office Current officer 1
Vice President of the United States
Joe Biden (D) 2
Speaker of the House
John Boehner (R) 3
President pro tempore of the Senate
Patrick Leahy (D) 4
Secretary of State
John Kerry (D) 5
Secretary of the Treasury
Jacob Lew (D) 6
Secretary of Defense
Chuck Hagel (R) 7
Attorney General
Eric Holder (D) —
Secretary of the Interior
Sally Jewell (D)[a] 8
Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack (D) 9
Secretary of Commerce
Penny Pritzker (D) 10
Secretary of Labor
Thomas Perez (D) 11
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Kathleen Sebelius (D) 12
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Shaun Donovan (D) 13
Secretary of Transportation
Anthony Foxx (D) 14
Secretary of Energy
Ernest Moniz (D) 15
Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan (D) 16
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric Shinseki (I) 17
Secretary of Homeland Security
Jeh Johnson (D)

9. Presidential Disability
25th Amendment also sets forth series of rules to be followed if a president becomes disabled
VP assumes the role of President after the Pres informs Congress of an inability to perform the duties of office
If the Presidents is unwilling or unable to inform Congress, the VP and a majority of the cabinet can inform
If there is an issue between these two parties, Congress must settle the dispute within 21 days
VP only stays in power if Congress decides by 2/3 in both houses

10. Vice president’s role 2 main duties
Preside over Senate and vote in case of a tie
Decides whether the President is disabled and acts on their behalf
VP’s work and power depends upon what responsibilities the President gives him
14 VPs have become president
Since the 60’s VPs have had more power
Represent president overseas, attending ceremonial functions, visit heads of states and make speeches
Member of the National Security Council

11. Electoral College

12. Original System
Article II, Section 1 established the Electoral College
Each state would choose electors based on system state legislature set up
Each state would have as many electors as senators and reps in Congress
At election time electors in each state would cast a vote for two candidates
Electoral votes from all states would be counted in joint session on Congress- majority of votes would be president and second highest would be VP

13. Impact of Political parties
By 1800 two parties emerged: Federalist and Democratic- Republicans
Each party nominated its own candidate for pres and vice pres
Election of 1800 between Jefferson and Burr showed the flaw in this system- both from same party but ended up in a tie
Jefferson elected press and Burr vice pres
12th Amendment added in 1804 to solve this problem
Requires that electors cast separate ballots for president and vice president
Also, if no candidate receives majority of electoral votes then House chooses from top 3 pres candidates & Senate chooses top 2 vice pres candidates

14. Electoral college system today
1. November- all eligible citizens may vote for a ticket (president and vice president) 2. Outcome of the popular election determines the electors for that state (win state you get their electoral votes) NJ=14 3. In December electors go to DC and cast the official vote 4. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win 5. If no candidate wins the majority OR there is a tie, House of Representatives selects President

15. What this means…
The candidate who receives the most popular votes nationwide does not always become president
There is no national election-only separate state elections
A candidate must win enough state elections to gain the majority of electoral votes
Presidential campaigns focus on winning states NOT a national majority

16. So my elector does not have to vote a certain way?
Electors are not legally bound to vote for any particular candidate- they can throw their vote to any candidate
This almost never happens though
Some states even have laws requiring electors to cast their votes according to the popular votes

17. So Does My Vote Count? Yes! Every vote counts but in a complicated way
Remember: when you vote it is a state election
Technically your vote counts just as much as anyone else’s in your state- but maybe more or less than someone living in another state

18. What is a Vote Worth?
Alaska has fewer residents per electoral vote than the national average
So individual votes in Alaska count MORE than the national average- twice as much
A voter in California only has 83% influence- little less than average
While every American’s vote counts- your vote technically counts more if you live in a small state like Alaska than if you live in a big state like California

19. On the Campaign Trail
If you are running you are more concerned with winning big states like California (53 votes) than Alaska (3 votes)
Candidates spend more time and money campaigning in big states
As a result big states receive more attention and small states feel left out
In reality…individual voters have less influence in a big state than a small state

20. 4 Presidential Candidates Who Won the Popular Vote But Lost the Election

21. Jackson v. J. Adams
1824
Jackson won 99 electoral votes to John Quincy Adams’ 84 electoral votes
Because none of the candidates had secured a majority of electoral votes that was Constitutionally required to win, the House of Representatives at the time weighed in to chose Adams as the victor.
Speaker of the House Clay threw his support behind Adams and gave him the election by a single vote. Soon thereafter, Adams named Clay secretary of state.

22. Tilden V. Hayes
1876
Hayes won 185 to Tilden’s 184 after an electoral commission was put together to decide the fiercely contested dispute.
The popular vote was said to be 4,300,000 for Tilden to 4,036,000 for Hayes, putting Tilden slightly in the lead.

23. Cleveland v. harrison
1888
Harrison won 233 electoral votes to Cleveland’s 168, in what was widely received to be a rather polite and civil election
Cleveland received about 100,000 more popular votes than Harrison.

24. Gore v. bush
2000
Bush won 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 266, but it took a recount and a contentious Supreme Court decision to confirm his victory.
The final score showed that Gore won the popular vote by 543,895 votes.

25. Selection of the cabinet

26. Major factors in making appointments
Selection of a president’s cabinet is largely a political process
One consideration is whether the person will be compatible with the department they will be heading
Geographical balance is also a factor
Typically the secretary of the interior is someone from a western state who has experience in land policy and conservation issues
Secretary of agriculture is usually from a farm state
Also important is the president’s need to satisfy powerful interest groups
Therefore the secretary of labor is someone acceptable to labor unions
Secretary of the treasury is often a banker

27. Major factors in making appointments
Appointees have high-level administrative skills and experience
Responsible for billions of dollars and thousands of employees
Presidents also consider race, gender and ethnic background
Since 1975 every cabinet has included women and African Americans
The Clinton cabinet became the most gender and racially balanced team in history
Not everyone offered the job will accept- the idea of leaving a secure career for a short-term appointment is unattractive to some

28. Background of Cabinet members
College graduates with advanced degrees
Business, industry, law, science and education
Earn roughly $151,000 per year
Many leave jobs where they can be earning twice the amount in private employment- sense of public service

29. Nominations and confirmations
President-elect sets up a list of candidates after consulting with campaign advisors, congressional leaders, and reps of interest groups
Key campaign staffers meet with potential candidates to discuss the issues facing the department
Before making final decisions the president-elect’s team may leak some names to test the reaction of Congress, interest groups and the public
Senate holds confirmation hearings by having candidates appear before the committee to answer questions about their background and views

30. Role of the Cabinet
Individual members responsible for the depts they head
As a group intended to serve as advisory body to the president
Meetings are held whenever the president calls them- one a week or every few months
Historically the cabinet’s role in decision making has depended on how each president wants to define it
Stronger presidents give cabinet less attention
During Great Depression FDR relied more on university professors called the “brain trust” than his cabinet
Nixon’s cabinet did not see him for months at a time

31. Influence of Cabinet members
Some members work closer with the president than others
Secretary of state, defense and the attorney general work closely because their departments hold more influence in national issues
Sometimes referred to as the “inner cabinet”
Departments such as agriculture or veterans affairs are less influential

32. Factors limiting Cabinet’s role
Cabinet officials have 3 constituencies that require their loyalty:
Career officials in their own dept
Members of Congress
Special Interest groups
Each group has its own stake in the dept’s programs and can push the secretary in a direction that does not always align with the president’s ideals
Secrecy is another limiting factor
All cabinet debates are private and include sensitive topics
However, there have been examples in the past where the debates have been leaked to the press

33. Constitutional Powers of the President
Article II grants President broad but vague powers- “The Executive Power shall be vested in a President of the USA”
Sections 2 & 3 of Article II define president’s powers
Commander in chief- responsible for nation’s security
Head of executive branch- appoints heads of departments
Conducts foreign policies and treaties
Judicial powers-appoints federal court judges, pardon people convicted of federal crimes and reduces sentences
Ensures laws are “faithfully executed”

34. Informal Sources of Power
Several presidents have added to power of the presidency by the way they handled the job
1803 Thomas Jefferson made decisions to purchase the Louisiana Territory
Constitution did not state the pres could acquire territory but Jefferson believed it was an inherent power
Teddy Roosevelt believed that the President’s right and duty was to “do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded, unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by laws”

35. Informal Sources of Power
Immediate needs of the nation is another reason a President might expand their power
During Civil War Abe Lincoln jailed opponents of the Union without trial, raised an Army without Congress’ approval and blockaded Southern ports
He claimed Constitution gave him power to do what was necessary to preserve the union- and in the end the country agreed
Congress has also granted Presidents special powers during emergencies
1964- Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to help LBJ protect Americans in Southeast Asia

36. Informal Sources of Power
Several presidents have added to power of the presidency by the way they handled the job
1803 Thomas Jefferson made decisions to purchase the Louisiana Territory
Constitution did not state the pres could acquire territory but Jefferson believed it was an inherent power
Teddy Roosevelt believed that the President’s right and duty was to “do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded, unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by laws”

37. Limits on Presidential Power
Limitation by Congress
Congressional override of a veto may limit president’s effectiveness in carrying out legislative program
Senate’s confirmation power
Power to impeach
Limitation by Federal Courts
Marbury v Madison: can review legislative actions and rule legislation unconstitutional
Limitation by Public Opinion
Public dissatisfaction can prevent reelection and political programs
Media

38. Roles of the President

39. Head of state Represents the nation and performs ceremonial roles
Hosts diplomats, gives awards and medals, lights the national Christmas tree, ect.
Presidents are more than politicians- for many president IS the United States

40. Chief Executive Sees that laws of Congress are carried out
In charge of the over 2 million federal employees and the department and agencies they belong to
Presidents have several tools to influence how laws are carried out
1. executive orders: rules that have force of law
2. presidential appointments of cabinets members and top-level federal officials
3. right to remove people they appointed
4. impoundment: president puts aside, or refuses to spend, the money Congress has appropriated for a certain purpose

41. Chief Executive Pardon: release from legal punishment
Presidential pardons are usually individuals convicted of federal crimes
Amnesty: group pardon to people for an offense against the government
Usually applies to military personnel
Ex: Ford and Carter granted amnesty to men who fled the draft during Vietnam

42. Chief Legislator
President describes legislative program in the annual State of the Union address
Actual detailed program presented during the year reflects the president’s values and beliefs
Also presents a suggested budget and annual economic report
If presidents and majority of Congress are from different parties he must work harder to influence members of congress
May hand out political favors to get support-visiting the home state of a congressperson to support their reelection

43. Economic planner
Employment Act of 1946 directed the president to submit and annual economic report to Congress
Law also created the Council of Economic Advisors to study economy and help prepare report for president
Law declared that gov’t had responsibility to promote high employment, production and purchasing power
President prepares yearly federal budget
Decides what programs to support and what to cut back

44. Party Leader
May give speeches to help party members running for office or attend fund-raisers
Helps plan party’s future election strategy
Presidents are expected to appoint members of their party to available gov’t jobs
Patronage: appointment to political office

45. Chief Diplomat
President directs foreign policy and makes key decisions about relations with other countries
There has been an continuing struggle between Congress and president over who controls foreign policy
Congress has powers related to foreign policy BUT president has more access to classified information
Sole power to negotiate and sign treaties
President also has power to make executive agreements- pact between president and head of a foreign government
Some involve routine matters but others have dealt with more serious arrangements with other countries

46. Commander in chief Shares with Congress power to make war
Responsible for key military decisions
Several presidents have come from military background
Washington, Grant, Roosevelt, Eisenhower
BUT many presidents without experience have had to become involved in military operations
Also utilizes military to control disorders in the nation (riots) or natural disasters (send supplies or troops to keep order)