2. Obviously, only one person is President of
the United States at one time.
Yet that person must fill a number of
different roles…8 to be exact !!!
The manner in which a President plays any
one role can have a powerful effect on his
ability to play the others – he must do all
simultaneously!
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3. Chief
Citizen
Chief Chief
Of Party of State
Chief Chief
Legislator Executive
Commander Chief
in Chief Administrator
Chief
Diplomat
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4. Ceremonial head
of the
government of
the United
States.
The symbol of all
the people of the
nation.
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5. President is
vested by the
Constitution
with “the
executive
power” of the
United States.
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6. President heads
on of the largest
government
machines the
world has ever
known:
The US Federal
government
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7. The President is
the main architect
of American
foreign policy.
The nation’s chief
spokesperson to
the rest of the
world.
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8. President is the
commander of
all armed forces
and entire
military
arsenal.
“The Football”
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9. President is the
main architect
of nation’s
public policies.
Sets the agenda
of Congress.
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10. President is the
acknowledged
leader of the
political party
that controls the
executive branch.
Appointment and
fundraising are
keys here.
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11. The President is
expected to
“represent” all
of the American
people.
Key role in times
of national
tragedy.
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12. US Constitution
Natural 35 years Lived in US
Born Citizen old for 14 years
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13. Who was the youngest
President in American
history?
Theodore Roosevelt
42 years 322 Days
Who was the oldest
elected President in
American history?
Ronald Reagan
69 years 349 Days
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14. The Framers
considered term
lengths of 4-years with
chance of reelection
and a single 6 or 7
year term.
We know today they
choose the 4 year
option.
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15. Until 1951, the
Constitution placed no
limit on the number of
terms a President
might serve
The no 3rd term
tradition started with
whom?
George Washington
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16. Franklin D. Roosevelt
broke this tradition in
1940 (3rd) and 1944
(4th).
What Constitutional
amendment prevented
this from happening
again?
22nd Amendment
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17. A president may
presently serve a
maximum of 2
terms.
A president who
succeeds to the
office (midpoint of
term) may serve a
maximum of 10 years.
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18. What is an argument against the 22nd
Amendment?
It undercuts the authority of a two-term
president (lame duck).
What is an argument for the single 6 – year
term?
Free a president from the pressures of the
campaign trail and allow him/her to focus on
being president.
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19. Congress
determines the
President’s
salary and in
2001 it was set at
$400,000.
Also gets a
$50,000 yearly
expense account.
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20. The White House = 132 room
mansion in the nation’s
capital.
Suite of offices and a sizable
staff.
A fleet of automobiles and Air
Force One + Marine One.
Camp David = a weekend
hideaway in Maryland.
The finest medical, dental and
other healthcare.
20
The Presidency
21. Define:
Presidential succession refers to the
procedure for replacing the president
in the event of death or some other
form of removal.
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23. The Vice President
can succeed to the
office if the
President:
(1) dies
(2) resigns
(3) removed from office
by impeachment.
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24. Originally, the
Constitution did not
provide for
succession.
It declared that the
“powers and duties”
of the office of the
Presidency
transferred to the VP.
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25. The tradition of the vice-president
succeeding to the Presidency evolved
starting with whom?
John Tyler
The 25th Amendment made the succession
official in 1967.
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26. Congress fixed the order of succession
following the Vice-President with the
Presidential Succession Act of 1947:
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
4. Cabinet officials in the order of when the
office was created
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28. Before the 25th Amendment there was no
provision in the Constitution for deciding
when a President was disabled (or who
would decide that!)
Throughout American history, several
Presidents had seriously health issues that
hindered their ability to do their job.
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29. Sections 3 and 4 of the
25th Amendment fill the
disability gap:
1. President informs
Congress that he is
unable to do the job
2. Vice-President and
majority of cabinet
feel President cannot
do the job.
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30. The President may
resume the powers
and duties of the office
by informing Congress
that no disability
exists.
The president may be
challenged; how?
VP and majority of
Congress
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31. “I am Vice
President. In this
I am nothing, but I
may be
everything.”
So said John
Adams; the
nation’s first vice –
president.
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32. What are the two
formal duties
listed in the
Constitution?
1. Preside over
the Senate.
2. Help decide if a
presidents is
disabled.
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33. The office of the vice-president has not
been taken seriously throughout most of
American history.
How have vice-presidents traditionally been
selected?
Someone who can “balance the ticket”.
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34. The position has been vacant 18 times:
9 succession, 2 resignations, 7 deaths
25th Amendment states that the President
would nominate a Vice President who
would then be confirmed by a majority of
Congress.
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34
35. Who was the
first Vice
President
selected by a
majority of the
Congress?
Gerald Ford
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36. The more recent
presidents (from
Eisenhower on) have
made greater use of
their vice-presidents.
Vice President Dick
Cheney is regarded as
the most influential
Vice President ever.
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38. An incumbent President is almost certain to
get the nomination and usually with no real
opposition from within the party.
What advantages does the President have?
Majesty, publicity of office
Control of party machinery
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39. When a
president is not
in the field, up
to a dozen or so
contenders may
surface for both
political parties.
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40. Who among the
contenders will
win the
nomination?
The historical
record argues the
one who is?
Most ELECTABLE
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41. Most presidential
candidates come to their
nominations with
substantial and well-known
records in public office.
What should these records
be free from?
Controversial issues,
both public/private.
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42. Seldom does a candidate step directly from
the business or military world
Dwight D. Eisenhower is a notable exception.
Historically, the governorships of larger
states have produced the largest number of
presidential candidates (especially recently)
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43. Most leading
contenders for have had
(2) things in common:
1. Protestants
2. Large States
Television has reshaped
the 2nd reason (above)
in recent elections.
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44. Both parties nominee’s
usually have a pleasant
and healthy appearance,
seem to be happily
married with an
attractive family (rarely
divorced).
Speaking ability and
good projection over
television are also keys.
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45. What about
minorities and
religion?
Women, racial
minorities and non-
protestants have not
been considered
until recently.
The Presidency 45
46. The Electoral College is one of the least
understood parts of the American
political process.
People vote not for a candidate, but for
presidential electors.
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47. The electors are chosen by popular vote in
every state and on the same day everywhere
Tuesday after 1st Monday every fourth year
How does a candidate win the electors
support? - Win the popular vote of the state
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48. 12th Amendment states
that the electors are to
meet in their State
capitols on the Monday
after the second
Wednesday in December.
The ballots are signed,
sealed, then sent by
registered mail to the
President of the Senate.
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49. Although the outcome is
usually known by
midnight of Election Day
When is the formal
election of the President?
January 6th
If no candidate has won a
majority (270 today) the
election is thrown into the
House of Representatives.
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50. Many political scientists feel the
he electoral college system is
plagued by (3) major defects:
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51. Altogether 15 presidents have been
elected who did not win a majority of the
popular vote. (see next slide)
What are the (2) factors that allow for
this to happen:
1. Winner take all feature of electoral
college.
2. Distribution of electoral votes :
population/voter participation .
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53. Nothing in the Constitution requires the
electors to vote for the candidate favored
by the popular vote in their states.
The “faithless elector” has actually
happened on 9 occasions, but this has had
no impact on the outcome of a presidential
election, yet…
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54. This has happened
only twice but
when there is a
strong 3rd party, it
could happen.
There are (3) main
problems with the
House deciding:
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55. Voting is by state,
not the individual
members.
Why is this a
problem?
State with SMALL
population would
have same weight
as BIG state.
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56. Representatives
from a State were
divided.
Why is this a
problem?
Statewould lose
its vote.
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57. Constitution requires a
majority of States for
an election.
Why is this a problem?
If a strong 3rd party
were involved,
possibility of no
decision by Inaugural
Day.
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58. Observers have
longed
recognized
there defects
and reforms
are often
proposed:
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59. (2) from state at large and (1)
from each congressional district.
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61. State electoral vote would be based on
the proportion of the popular vote.
Popular Vote Pennsylvania
2012
Obama
46%
Romney
52%
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62. Each vote counts equally – winner
would always be the majority.
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63. 102 electoral votes to winner of
national popular vote and add to
state counts.
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64. The present electoral college system does
have its defenders and they focus on the
two major strengths of the present
arrangement:
1. It is a known process…the suggested (and
untried) reforms may also have defects that
could not be known until they appeared in
practice.
2. The winner is identified quickly and certainly
(in most cases)
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65.
66. As chief executive, the President executes
(enforces, administers, carriers out) the
provisions of federal law.
What are the constitutional provisions that
is power rests on?
1. Oath of Office
2. Constitution - take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.
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67. The job of administering
and applying most
federal law is the day to
day work of all the many
departments, bureaus,
offices, boards, etc.
What is an executive
order?
Rule or regulation that
has effect of law.
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68. A President cannot hope
to succeed without loyal
subordinates who support
the policies of the
President’s administration.
The President names only
a handful federal civilian
employees – usually the
top ranking offices (with
consent of the Senate).
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69. Ambassadors, cabinet members, agencies,
federal judges, US marshals and attorneys
and all officers in the armed forces.
What is needed confirmation of the
appointments by the President?
A SIMPLE MAJORITY
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70. With his legislative powers, and the
skillful playing of his roles as chief of
party and chief citizen, the President can
have a considerable influence on
Congress.
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71. Often called the
message power:
the Chief
Executive
regularly sends
three (3) major
messages to
Capitol Hill:
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72. 1. State of the
Union
2. Budget and
Annual Economic
Report
3. Sends lawmakers
messages on a
wide range of
topics.
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73. President has (4) options
when a bill comes to the
White House.
Why is the threat of a
veto often strong
enough to defeat a bill or
to prompt changes in the
bill?
Congress seldom gets
the 2/3 majority needed.
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74. If the President
decides to veto a bill,
he must reject the
entire measure.
Most presidents have
recently favored the
expansion of the veto
power with the line-
item veto.
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75. Define – power to
cancel specific
monies in spending
bills.
What is the big fear
if the president gets
this power?
Giving the executive
branch too much
power.
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76. The President may
call the Congress
into special session.
Most recently
President Truman
did so in 1948.
post WW II
economic measures.
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77. Reprieve
• Postponement of the execution of a sentence.
Pardon
• Total legal forgiveness.
Clemency
• Mercy or leniency (federal crimes only)
Commutation
• Reduce the length of sentence or a fine.
Amnesty
• A group pardon
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79. DEFINE – formal
agreement between
2 or more sovereign
states.
The President, usually
acting through the
Secretary of State,
negotiates these
international
agreements.
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80. The Senate must
give its approval
(2/3 vote)
What happened with
the Treaty of
Versailles (1920)?
Rejected by the
United States
Senate.
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81. DEFINE – pact
between the
President and head
of foreign state.
These do not
require Senate
consent – for
example Lend
Lease Act of 1940.
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82. When the President
receives the diplomatic
representatives of another
sovereign state, the
President exercises the
power of recognition.
What does this mean?
President acknowledges
the legal existence of a
country and its
government. The Presidency 82
83. Some important examples of
the use of this power:
Panama (1903), Israel (1948)
How may the President
show American displeasure
with the conduct of another
country?
Recall that nation’s
ambassador persona non-
grata.
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85. The Constitution
makes the President
the commander in
chief of the nation’s
armed forces.
Congress does have
extensive war powers,
but the President
dominates the field of
military policy.
The Presidency 85
86. Presidents have used the armed forces
abroad, and in combat, without a
declaration of war – in fact most Presidents
have done so.
What were the longest undeclared wars?
Korean War (3 years) Vietnam War ( 8 years)
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87. Congress has not declared war since World
War II.
However, on 8 occasions since then it has
enacted joint resolutions to authorize to
meet certain international crises with
military force:
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88. 1964
Congressional
Resolution to
defeat
Communist
aggression in
Southeast Asia.
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89. 1991
Congressional
Resolution to
drive Iraq out of
Kuwait.
Operation
Desert Storm.
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90. 2002 – Operation
Enduring Freedom
Invasion of
Afghanistan to find
those responsible for
9/11
2003 – Operation
Iraqi Freedom
Remove Saddam
Hussein to prevent
another 9/11.
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91. Also since WW II, there
have been many other
critical situations in
which Presidents have
deployed troops
WITHOUT congressional
resolutions.
Panama in 1989 and
Bosnia (1995) and
Kosovo (1999)
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92. 2011 – President Obama ordered air
strikes on Libya without congressional
approval.
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93. Passed in 1973
over President
Nixon’s Veto.
Response to
American
involvement in
Vietnam.
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94. 1. 48 hours after
committing
American
forces, President
must report to
Congress why
troops are being
deployed
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95. 2. 60 days
maximum,
unless
Congress
agrees to a
longer period
of deployment
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96. 3. Congress may
end the combat
commitment at
any time by
passing a
concurrent
resolution to
that effect.
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98. Much of the work of
the Federal
Government is done
by the 15 executive
departments – often
called the Cabinet
departments.
Can be created (or
abolished) by
Congress.
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99. Who heads each of these departments?
A SECRETARY except for Justice which
has an ATTORNEY GENERAL
Each department head is the primary link
between presidential policy and his or her
own department.
What else does the department head strive
to do?
Strive to protect and promote their
departments.
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100. Each department is
made up of a number
of sub-units and under
them, even smaller
working units.
EXPLAIN how these
are structured
geographically.
Regional or district
offices.
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101. The Cabinet is an
informal advisory
body brought
together by the
President to serve
his needs.
The Cabinet is the
product of custom
and usage.
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102. What were the (4)
offices that George
Washington
sought the advice
of?
1. State
2. Treasury
3. War
4. Attorney General
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103. By 2002, the
Cabinet has
expanded to
15 executive
departments.
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104. President appoints the head of each agency
and each of these appointments is subject to
confirmation by the Senate.
Historically, how does this process usually
go? Nominees are rarely rejected
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105. Party is
important
Gender Qualification
and Race and
Experience
Interest
Groups Geography
The Presidency 105
106. Women and minorities
have only gradually
become represented in
the Cabinet.
Recent presidents
(Clinton, Bush, Obama)
have appointed a
variety of minorities in
both of their Cabinets.
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107. Cabinet members
have (2) major
jobs:
1. Administrative
head of an
executive
department
2. An advisor to the
President.
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108. It really comes down to the individual
President and how much he power or say he
wants to give to his Cabinet.
Some Presidents have leaned on unofficial
advisory groups:
Andrew Jackson = Kitchen Cabinet
FDR = Brain Trust
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