Chap. 13 and 14: The President and his Powers

The Executive Branch

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Section Reviews

Q1. What are the many roles a President must play?Chief Executive

runs government, calls armed forces, pardons criminals, negotiates treaties, appoints ambassadors

Chief of StateEntertains foreign leaders, speaks at charities,

approves monuments

Day 1: The President's Job Description

Q2. What are the constitutional guidelines for qualifications and terms?Written

“natural born” citizenat least 35 y/oLived in U.S. at least 14 yrs.

Unwritten (based on tradition)Male, white, Christian, from well-to-do families,

well educated, married, from small rural town, military experience

Term2 term tradition set by George Washington22nd Amendment (after FDR)

2 term max (up to 10 years)

Day 1: The President's Job Description

Q3. What is the President’s compensation?Salary=estab. by congress

$450,000/year$140,000/year for retirement$50,000 expense accountUse of jets, planes, white house, Camp DavidFree health care

Day 1: The President's Job Description

Q1. What are the constitutional provisions for succession to the Presidency?Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Estab. line of successionPresident>Vice-Pres.>Speak of House>Members

of Cabinet

Day 2: Presidential Succession

Q2. How is presidential disability determined and dealt with?25th Amendment=procedure to deal with sick

PresidentsThe V-P sits in if…

The President informs Congress in writingThe VP and majority of Cabinet members inform

Congress in writingPresident resumes power by writing to CongressThe VP and Cabinet can challenge the President

Day 2: Presidential Succession

Q3. What is the status of the Vice President in history and today?In History…

VPs had no responsibilityOnly role was President of the SenateHelped campaignProtected in case President died

Today…Becomes chair of committeesTakes on issuesEntertains foreign leadersAdvises the President

Day 2: Presidential Succession

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Assignment for Wednesday

Q1. What did the Framers intend the electoral college to be?A way to cut back on calculating the popular

vote nationallyLeave it up to the states to count votes Put more informed voters (electors) into the

position of choosing a president“people are natuarally evil, brutish, etc.”

Day 3: The Framer's Plan

Q2. What factors helped to transform the presidential selection process?Increase in communication technologyIncrease in print media

Day 3: The Framer's Plan

Q3. How does the electoral college work today?Using the convention system (local, district,

state, etc.) state electors are chosenStates calculate the popular vote on election

dayBased on the # of representatives (HOR and

Senate), that is how many electors each state gets

Electors then vote (hopefully) how their state prefers (based on popular vote)

Day 3: The Framer's Plan

Q4. What are the major criticisms of the electoral college?Goes against “one-person-one vote” principle

Idea that every vote is equally important and counted

President can win the popular vote, but lose the election

Independent electors=do not vote as the popular vote calls for (“faithless electors”)

Day 3: The Framer's Plan

Q5. What are some of the proposals to revise the system?Proportional vote=# of popular votes=% of votes

40% must be reachedEncourages 3rd party candidatesDoes not balance large and small states

District Vote=an elector chosen for each districtTwo at-large electors per stateIncreases likelihood of gerrymanderingPopular vote still does not guarantee a win

Direct Vote=popular voteMost votes total wins electionA very small percentage can win the election

Day 3: The Framer's Plan

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Section Reviews

Q1. What is the historic and ongoing debate over proper scope of president’s power?Article II of the Constitution sets out the

President’s powers:Command forces, make treaties, approve/veto bills,

grant pardonsFederalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Anti-federalists=against strong executiveConcerned will gain another tyrant of a king

Federalists=for a strong executive branchFelt only way to get government moving

Passage of Bill of Rights to appease both parties

Day 4: Presidential Power

Q2. How has the President’s power grown over time?An individual interpretation of the Constitution

Liberal vs. Strict ConstructivistLiberal=loose interpretation, doesn’t say I can’t so I

willStrict=if it doesn’t say I can, then I won’t

An increase in the complexity of societyNeeds for welfare, more services, etc.Increase in national emergencies

Day 4: Presidential Power

Q3. What is the scope of the President’s executive powers?Domestic Powers=what happens inside US borders

Executive Orders=rules issued by President to enforce laws

(3 strike)Has an expiration date

Appoint Federal OfficialsAmbassadors, judges, cabinet members, bureau chiefs,

military officersUsually friends of President

Executive Privilege=right to withhold info. from courts, Congress, etc.Criminal cases do not countFor security purposes

Day 4: Presidential Power

Q4. How does the President exercise these powers?Umbrella Version vs. Ladder Version

Day 4: Presidential Power

Q1. What is the scope of the President’s diplomatic powers?Diplomatic Powers=authority to speak for the

U.S.Appoints ambassadorsRecognizes foreign governmentsMakes treaties

Day 5: Diplomatic and Military Power

Q2. What is the scope of the President’s military powers?Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Appoints military officersApproves military action

ProblemsCongress in control of $“Undeclared Wars” (Korea, Vietnam)War Powers Act of 1973

President cannot send troops into combat areas unless… Congress declares war Law authorizes action National emergency

Must notify Congress w/in 48 hours Only allowed to last 60 days

Day 5: Diplomatic and Military Power

Q1. What is the scope of the President’s legislative and judicial powers?Legislative

Forms the agenda of Congress thru the State of the Union Speech

Economic Report that states unemployment, inflation,etc.Budget Message of expected income/expenditures

JudicialAppoints judgesPardons crimesAmnesty=political pardon to whole groups

Spending“lump sum” funds for emergenciesImpoundment=President refusing to spend $ approved by

Congress

Day 6: Legislative and Judicial Powers

Q1. What are some of the key components of the Executive Office?Brownlow Commission

Commission on administrative managementInvestigated President’s need for staff

Reorganization Act of 1939Brought agencies together to form the Executive

officeResponse to Brownlow CommissionIncreased presidential staff by 1,000%

Day 7: The Cabinet

Q2. How has the current cabinet evolved?In History…

Not mentioned in the ConstitutionProduct of custom and usage4 member cabinet in the beginning

Today…Expanded to 14 members, all heads of departmentsvP has become head of…Typically friends of the President, but also experts

Day 7: The Cabinet

Q3. How are cabinet members selected?Experts First…

Due to approval needed by the SenateHeld accountable in times of crisis that relate to

their departmentFriends Second…

President must be comfortable with cabinet since first line of communication with their field of expertise

Campaign contributors, loyal backers, etc.Less and less there is a concern with being of the

same party

Day 7: The Cabinet

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Chapter Review Assignment: