THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Where does the POTUS live? 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC

The White House, 1812

The Oval Office

Oval Office

Other Rooms in the White House

HMMMMMMMMM…..

• Where is the Executive Branch found in the Constitution?

• What are the major roles of the president?

• What are the qualifications to become president?

• How many years can one serve?

• Describe the process that is used to elect a president.

How do we view our President? • What do we want from him?

• What is our strongest motivator in forming opinions about presidents?

• What must they promise to win?

• Can presidents deliver all they promise?

• What determines the success of a president?

Short History of the Executive Office…

• Founding Fathers wanted 1 of 2 executives:

– a multi-executive branch where everybody checked everybody

or….

– one executive doing multiple tasks with significant power

• Compromise: – One executive with some power

• Can be checked by other branches

HIS HIGHNESS?• In 1789

– VP John Adams suggested that the newly elected president be addressed as

– “His Highness, the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties”.

– After lengthy debate the Senate settled on the “President”.

1st POTUSGEORGE WASHINGTON

• Military commander of the Revolutionary Army

• First President – Served from 1789-1796

• Refused third term– Walked away from office to

retire to Mount Vernon

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITYof Executive Office

• Article II, Sections 1-4– Section 1

• Establishes offices for President

• Vice President

• Elected by the Electoral College

– 4 year terms– Qualifications– Succession– Salary and Oath.

» What is the oath of office?

Oath of Office

• “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITYof Executive Office

• Section 2 – POTUS is the Commander

and Chief of the military» Commands all military

personnel

– Heads Cabinet

– Awards Reprieves and Pardons

– Negotiates treaties and confers federal appointments.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITYof Executive Office

• Section 3 – Presents the

State of the Union» Sets forth the

programs POTUS wants to introduce in the next year.

– Can call Congress into service in emergencies

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITYof Executive Office

• Section 4– Allows for POTUS to be

Impeached– Andrew Johnson– Bill Clinton

– Neither forced to resign

– can be charged with» Treason» Bribery» Other high crimes and

misdemeanors.

ROLES of POTUS• Commander in Chief

– Leader of the armed services

• Chief Legislator– Recommends and acts on legislation

• Chief Diplomat– Signs treaties, executive agreements

• Chief Administrator – Leader of the bureaucracy, implements policy, appointments,

reprieves/pardons

• Head (Chief) of State – Represents our country overseas– Head of diplomacy

• Art of conducting negotiations with foreign countries.

• Head of his/her political party