1. The Federal Executive Branch
Take notes
This stuff matters!
Lots of stuff you need to know.
Pay attention!
Yes, it’s all on the test!

2. The Executive Branch of Government

3. Getting Elected
Our system of choosing a President has many layers. For this reason it is called a Plurality System.
A candidate must go through many steps in order to get elected.
How many of these steps can you name?

4. Effects on the Political Process
Citizens choose a political party that they are a part of.
The candidates in an election are nominated by their political party.
Elections are usually partisan, with voters voting for the political party they belong to.
Officials have beliefs that are the most close to their own political parties, therefore will try to enact laws that is supported by that parties.
Because of the partisanship in parties, if there is a divided government, it would be likely that there is a policy gridlock.

5. Electoral Laws and Systems
Plurality System - A complex system of choosing our President
Each state gets electoral votes equal to the number of its senators and representatives (DC gets 3)
Allows states to benefit, both small and large, by giving at least 3 votes to each and more for the ones with more population
Total of 538 electoral votes
Winner-take-all system in 48 states allows a candidate to win with 270 electoral votes rather than getting the majority of the popular votes
Candidates go for the states with the most electoral votes. 11 of the largest states will total 230 electoral votes
Electoral college encourages the two-party system
Electoral college prevents third parties from forming since they have to win the electoral votes by winning the popular vote
If neither of the candidates wins the majority, the decision is made by the House of Representatives

6. What are the qualifications for the president?
The qualifications are found in Article II Section 1 of the Constitution
Must be a natural born citizen of the United States
Be at least 35 years old
Must be a resident of the U.S. for 14 years

7. Presidential Terms
The Founding Fathers agreed that a president should serve a 4 year term.
Until 1951, there was no limit on the number of terms a President might serve.
What president was elected to 4 terms in office?
Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt
In 1951 the 22nd Amendment was adopted
Presidential terms were limited to two full terms- eight years-in office
Exception?

8. Presidential Compensation
The Pres. Receives $400,00
The VP gets $198,600
The Pres. Also receives $50K Expense account
$100,000 Non-taxable for travel
$19k official entertainment account
As well as: Air Force One, Medical care,legal advice, The White House and its staff, personal security and lots more! Want to do this job?
It is estimated that Pres. Clinton’s pension and perks will cost the taxpayers over $6 Million

9. Take out a copy of the U.S. Constitution
Read Article II Section 2 to learn about the President’s Roles
Thank you!

10. The President’s Roles Chief of State
He is the ceremonial head of the government, a symbol of the people of the U.S.
For instance, a leader of another nation dies. As Chief of State, the president attends the funeral as a representative of the American people.
Pres. & Mrs. Bush at Pope John Paul II’s funeral

11. President’s Role Chief Executive
According to the Constitution, the role of the president is to enforce laws.
Checks and Balances prevent the president from becoming too powerful.

12. President’s Role Chief Administrator
The president is the director of the Federal Government.
Our federal government employees more than 2.7 million people and spends more than $2 trillion a year!!!
President Truman said: “he had to spend his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they were supposed to do anyways”

13. President’s Role Chief Diplomat
The President guides the foreign policy of our nation.
Pres. Obama with Secretary of State – Hillary Clinton
Pres. Reagan with Soviet Premier

14. President’s Role Commander in Chief
The President is the Commander in chief of the military.

15. President’s Role Chief Legislator
The President often shapes the congressional agenda.
He persuades legislators in his party to create bills that support their views and the views of their party’s constituents.
Examples: Johnson’s “Great Society” and FDR’s New Deal Programs

16. President’s Role Chief of Party
Although political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution, they play an important role in our government.
The President tries to back legislation and policies that are supported by his (someday her) party.

17. Does the President control the economy???
The President establishes policies that influence the economy.
The President works with Congress to create a budget that affects all Americans.
However, the economy is a lot larger than the federal budget.
Workers and companies are influenced by trends in the national and world economy.
The President tries to help the economy by creating policies, appointments, and trade agreements.

18. Interpreting Quotes
“Within the first few months I discovered that being a president is like riding a tiger. A man has to keep riding or be swallowed.” – Harry S. Truman
How does Truman’s description of the president compare to the responsibilities discussed in today’s lesson?