The President Of the United States

What do we want in a President? What are the qualities we want in a

President?

Presidential Qualities

Leadership Objective Literate Friendly Firm Respectful

Organized Lawful Ethical Creative Trustworthy PatrioticCautious Introspective

Qualities Committed to values and principles of

Constitutional Democracy Respect for the rights of others Ability to work with others Reliability/Dependability Courage Honesty Ability to be fair Intelligence

Qualities

Willingness to work hard Special knowledge or skills Toughness Character Charisma Others???

Explicit Constitutional Powers

To serve as Commander-In Chief of the armed forces and militias

To appoint, with the Senate’s consent, the heads of executive departments, ambassadors, justices of the Supreme Court, and other top officials.

To grant reprieves and pardons, except in the case of impeachment.

Constitutional Powers

To make treaties with the advise and consent of the Senate

To deliver the State of the Union address and send other messages to congress from time to time.

To call either house or both houses of congress into special session

To receive ambassadors and other representatives from foreign countries.

Powers

To commission all officers of the United States

To ensure that the laws passed by congress “be faithfully executed”

Article II

Presidential Roles

Chief of State Performs certain ceremonial functions as

personal symbol of the nation Entertains foreign leaders, speaks to charitable organizations,

throws out the 1st pitch of the baseball season, unveils monuments, Easter Egg Hunt.

Symbolic Leadership

Presidential Roles

Chief ExecutiveEnforces the laws and federal court decisions,

along with treaties signed by the United States

Calls out the armed forces, grants reprieves and pardons, negotiates treaties, appoint ambassadors and judges, recognizes foreign gov’ts, sees that the laws are carried out.

Presidential Roles

Commander-In-Chief

Leads the nations armed forcesCivilian LeaderWar Powers Act of 1973

Presidential Roles

Chief Diplomat

Directs US foreign policy and is nation’s most important representative in dealing with foreign countries

Treaties Executive Agreements Alliances Negotiator

Presidential Roles

Chief Legislator

Informs Congress on the country and recommends legislative measures

State of the Union Address¾ of legislation originates w/ Executive BranchVeto Politico

Presidential Roles

Party Leader

Heads their own political party

Fund Raiser

Other Powers

Information AccessDetermine jobsGuide how Federal Money is spentBully Pulpit---Power to PersuadePower of RemovalPower of ProposalCan suspend civil right in time of crisis.

Presidential Profile Male White---almost all Wealthy Protestant College Educated----Advanced Degrees Small town or Rural upbringing Military Over 60 Good on TV

Perquisites “Perks”

$400,000 per year 150,000 for life tax free 100,000 travel expense 75,000 expense account Personal Staff of 400-500 Secret Service for life Cooks, butlers, tailor, gardener, Camp David,

Team of Medical People

Perks

Air Force One Helicopter Fleet Live in the White House

Is this a good job?Is the pay decent?Privacy?

Presidential Amendments

20th Presidential Death22nd Inauguration Day25th Removal and Succession Unable to perform

Presidential Succession

The scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled.

Impeachment Death Resignation Illness----25th Amendment

Vice President

Preside over the Senate “President In waiting” “Balance the Ticket”

The Differing Roles of the VP

Presidential Elections

The Electoral College Popular Vote Electors—proportional to each state --- number of Congressional Reps & Senators Majority of the Electoral College 270+ WINNER

Nominating Process

Self-Announcement Caucus Convention Delegate Petition Primary Election-open -closed

The Road To the White House

Primary Season Convention National Campaign Debates Speeches

Election Day

The Modern Campaign

Military Model Access Time Money Political Ads Schedule Time Effectively Opposition Research Get your voters out---energy