1. The Executive Branch The President and Vice President
Electing a President
The Cabinet and Executive Office
Presidential Powers
Role of the President
Leadership Styles

2. Ch. 8-9 Essays
What is the ELECTORAL COLLEGE and how do they select our President? What are 2 major complaints about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE and 2 ways to “fix” it?
What is the CABINET and how does it help the President do his/her job?
EXTRA CREDIT: List, in order, the presidents of the United States. You can start at Obama or Washington and go IN ORDER. ( ¼ point for each president you get correct, up to you first mistake)

3. Learning Objectives
Be able to list the duties of the President and Vice President
Be able to identify the President’s term, salary and benefits
Be able to explain what happens if the President is disabled
Be able to list the official and unofficial qualifications for president
Be able to explain the Line of Presidential Succession
What is it
Why is it needed

4. The President and Vice President

5. The President and Vice President
Duties of the President
Commander in Chief
Power of Appointment
Making Treaties (conducting foreign policy)
Make sure all laws of the US are faithfully executed
State of the Union
The President’s Term and Salary
4 year terms (10 years maximum) – 22nd Amendment
$400,000 + benefits
White House, Air Force One, security, etc
Lifetime pension (at least $148,000 per year)
Free office/staff for life
Presidential Qualifications
Official
35 years of age
Natural born citizen of the US
Live in the US for a minimum of 14 years
Unofficial
Government Experience (Senator & Governor most common)
Large amount of money available for campaigning
Centrist Political Beliefs
Most are married, from families with a large amount of money
Want to lead a very powerful nation

6. Presidential Succession 25th Amendment
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs
Secretary of Homeland Security

7. Presidential Disability
25th Amendment establishes process
VP becomes president
If President becomes unable to perform duties
Voluntarily hands over power to VP
Involuntarily
* VP and Cabinet must vote (majority)
Explains how President can regain powers

8. Vice President’s Role Only 2 Constitutional duties
Presides over the Senate and breaks any tie vote
Helps decide if the President is disabled
14 VP’s have become President
9 because President died in office or resigned
George HW Bush is the last VP to become President
Gerald Ford is the last VP to become President because the President died/resigned
Modern Responsibilities
Depends on the President (how they will use the VP)
Modern day VP’s very active in the running of the country
* Clinton, GW Bush, Obama have had active VP’s

9. Learning Objectives
Be able to explain what the “Electoral College” is and how it operates
Identify 3 problems with the system
Explain possible fixes to the Electoral College and what would have to happen for those fixes to go into place

10. Electing the President

11. Electing the President
Original system: The Electoral College
People of the day were uneducated/uninformed
Feared it would be a “popularity contest”
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Each state gets a number of “ELECTORS” equal to the number of reps in the House plus the number in the Senate (Washington = 12 ELECTORS)
In November, each state holds an election. Each state assigns their ELECTORS based on how the state voted for President (Washington = Obama = 11 ELECTORS)
In December, ELECTORS cast their votes for President in Washington DC. The candidate with the majority of ELECTORS wins the presidency
If no candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives votes for President, Senate votes for Vice President
Impact of Party Politics
Since 2 parties have emerged and the US used a 2 party system, the parties select their electors and it is understood they will vote for their candidate
1800 Election (Jefferson v. Burr) illustrated problem with system
12th Amendment fixed that problem

12. The Electoral College Today
The Electoral College is still used today
Political Parties choose their nominees in summer conventions
Indirect Election for President held in November, every 4 years
Electors vote for candidate that won their state (except MA and NB)
President usually announced the night of the general election because the electoral votes can be counted unofficially
Electoral College votes in December to cast official votes for President
Ballots sealed and taken to Washington DC for a count
538 = members of Congress + 3 for Washington DC
270 needed to win
Ballots opened and counted on January 6 and the winner is officially announced
Issues with the Electoral College
Winner Takes All (may disagree with popular vote)
2000 Election = Bush v. Gore
Third Party Candidates (may block one candidate from getting 50%)
Election by the House (party politics will pick the president, not
qualifications)

13. Ideas for Reform of the Electoral College
Electors from Congressional Districts
Each District would assign an elector
State would assign 2 electors
Proportional Delegates
The state’s general election would be broken down (55% to 45%)
Electors would be divided according to that percentage
Direct Election of the President and Vice President
Electoral College eliminated
Voters directly elect the President and VP
All of these ideas would required a Constitutional Amendment
Inauguration on January 20 at noon

14. Letter to your elected representatives (extra credit)
Representative Derek Kilmer
2467 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Senator Maria Cantwell
311 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Senator Patty Murray
448 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C
President Barrack Obama
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

15. Name Address Date Dear ______ Introduction Issue – Concern, idea for fixing Conclusion Sincerely, Signature Printed, Typed name

16. Learning Objectives Be able to explain what the CABINET is
Be able to explain what the CABINET does
Be able to identify what the Executive Office is and what they do

17. The Cabinet Selection of the Cabinet
The CABINET is made up of the Secretaries of the 15 major departments, the Vice President and other top officials
The President meets regularly with the CABINET to get advice on policy matters
Selection of the Cabinet
One of the first jobs of the President is to name his/her cabinet
“Secretaries” should have some credible expertise in the policy areas in the department they will head
The Senate will confirm the President’s appointments
Party Patronage and loyalty play into the selection process
Many find the politics, the pay, and Washington DC to be unappealing and turn down the President’s request they serve
Candidates will be “vetted” both publically and privately

18. The Role of the Cabinet The Cabinet: Historically The Modern Cabinet
Role they play varies on the President
Strong Presidents (Jackson, Lincoln, Roosevelt) used Cabinet very little
Others used extensively (FDR “Brain Trust”)
The Modern Cabinet
More recent Presidents have tried to increase the role of the Cabinet
Clinton, both Bush’s and Obama use their Cabinets a lot
The Influence of the Cabinet
The Department determines, to some extent, how much
influence they have
“Inner Cabinet” State, Defense
Things limiting the Cabinet’s role
Conflicting Loyalties
Their department, Members of Congress, and Special Interest Groups
Secrecy and Trust
Cabinet discussions may be “leaked” to the press
President will limit sensitive discussions to most trusted advisors

19. Executive Departments (p. 276-279)
Department of State Secretary John Kerry
Department of the Treasury Secretary Jack Lew Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker
Department of Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro  Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald  Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson

20. The Executive Office People and Agencies that directly assist the President with advice and information
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): prepares the national budget each year that is presented to Congress
National Security Council: Keeps the President advised to National Security issues (VP, Sec of Defense, Sec of State, Chief of CIA, Joint Chiefs of Staff)
National Homeland Security Council: Coordinate the agencies that are working to fight terrorism
Council of Economic Advisers: Assesses the economic health of the nation and predicts future developments. Creates a plan to support a stronger economy
Other White House Offices
White House Staff: whatever the President assigns to them
Press Secretary: the President’s representative with the press

21. Presidential Powers Constitutional Powers (Article 2)
Need for a Strong Executive (to enforce the law)
Article 2: Chief Executive
Commander in Chief of the Military
Appoints Federal Judges and other appointed positions
Delivers annual “State of the Union” message to Congress
Informal Sources of Power
Personal Exercise of Power (Broad vs. Strict view of the Presidency)
Immediate Need of the Nation (Times of Crisis demand increased power to the Presidency)
Mandate of the People (Media give President a forum based on support of the people)
Limits on Executive Power
Limitations by Congress (Override Presidential Veto, Reject appointments, Approve budget, Power of Impeachment, War Powers Act
Limitations by the Federal Courts (Judicial Review, Independent Judiciary)
Limitation by the Bureaucracy (fail to provide info, misunderstand instructions, not completing task given)
Limitations by Public Opinion (Without favorable public opinion, President has difficulty getting agenda passed)

22. Role of the President Only country to combine these jobs into one position
Head of State (ceremonial head of country) POLITICIAN
Greets visiting dignitaries
Chief Diplomat for the US
Chief Executive (uses executive orders, appointments, and right to fire to run the executive branch) BUSINESSPERSON
Pardons – release from legal punishments
Reprieves – postponement of legal punishments
Chief Legislator (suggests legislation to Congress) POLITICIAN
Writes up legislation that supports his/her agenda
Trades political favors to get legislation passed
Veto threat
Economic Planner (set policy to direct national economy) BUSINESSPERSON
Writes up President Budget
Submits annual report (Budget) to Congress

23. Role of the President Party Leader Chief Diplomat
Head of the political party they represent
Sets the agenda for that party
Chief Diplomat
Directs Foreign Policy making key decisions on how we deal with other nations
Power to make TREATIES
Power to make “Executive Agreements”
Recognition of Foreign Governments
Commander in Chief (civilian head of the military)
Power to Make War (War Powers Act)
Military Operations and Strategy (Power to run day to day operations of the military)
Power to use any and all of the weapons of war
In times of crisis, asks Congress for special legislation
Uses military in times of crisis at home

24. Leadership Styles
US President has had increasing responsibilities as the US became a/the world power
Leadership Qualities and Skills
Understanding the Public
Ability to Communicate!!!!
Sense of Timing
Openness to New Ideas
Ability to Compromise (or induce compromise)
Political Courage

25. Political Isolation Special Treatment Voicing Opinions
Access to the President
Dangers of Isolation
Staying in Touch

26. Ch 8-9 Essay Questions
What is the ELECTORAL COLLEGE and how do they select our President? What are 2 major complaints about the ELECTORAL COLLEGE and 2 ways to “fix” it?
What is the CABINET and how does it help the President do his/her job?
EXTRA CREDIT: List, in order, the presidents of the United States. You can start at Obama or Washington and go IN ORDER. ( ¼ point for each president you get correct, up to you first mistake)

27. Ch 8-9 “Need to Knows” Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Cabinet
Who makes it up
How do they function
Executive Office of the President
How do they support the President in doing his/her job
Chapter 9
Presidential Powers
Formal and Informal powers
Roles of the President/VP
Presidential Leadership Skills