Respond to the following questions What do you look for in a presidential candidate What qualities characteristics or qualifications do you want him her to have Do you see the president as being all powerful How does the president s power compare to other branches laws Role To enforce the Includes The U S President Head of the Branch Vice President The U S Bureaucracy Executive Office of the President U S Departments Agencies etc The Presidency powerful Initial Concerns 1787 The office of the president would be too There were initially no term limits However The president has many checks by other branches George Washington set a 2 term precedent which is now enforced by the 22nd amendment Presidential Paradoxes BUT We worry We want the president about to Be strong and decisive Too much centralized Be a picture of the power corruption common man woman Have bold vision and innovation for the future Lack of experience or leadership Our practical individual needs not being met The president is always going to make someone unhappy Political Experience former governors and Reputation senators etc Well educated and able to communicate effectively Pleasant and Healthy Appearance Stable Ability to raise money Historically what attributes have you noticed in our past presidents Do you think that is starting to shift Constitutional Requirements Natural Born Citizen 35 years old Resident of U S for 14 years Terms and Benefits 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms to two No more than 10 years Benefits Salary 400 000 yr 50 000 yr expense allowance White House 132 rooms full staff chef Automobiles Air Force One helicopters Travel entertainment benefits Camp David Retreat The Vice President Chosen by the presidential candidate during the election process Balancing the ticket choosing VP candidates that represent different qualities ideology age region experience etc Goal to capture a greater share of the electorate For Example Vice President Kamala Harris brought diversity to the Biden ticket in terms of gender race age and geography Current Vice President Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Responsibilities I am Vice President In this I am nothing but I may be everything John Adams 8 presidents have died in office 1 resigned Roughly 1 5 of our presidents took office due to succession Two Constitutional Responsibilities of the VP Serve as President of the Senate break ties Serve as President should the current one die resign or get removed from office The 25th Amendment 25th Amendment outlines succession disability procedures for President and VP Presidential Disability Congress must be informed in writing by the President OR VP Majority of Cabinet Example President has major surgery or is shot President Trump 2021 Vice President Lyndon B Johnson is sworn in as President on Air Force One after President Kennedy is assassinated in 1963 Presidential Succession oPresidential Succession If the president dies resigns or is removed the VP will take the position oPresidential Succession Act of 1947 declares the order of succession after the VP o Speaker of the House o President pro tempore o Secretary of State o 14 other Cabinet Members oFun Fact There is always at least one Cabinet member left out of the State of the Union in case of attack Presidential Powers Intro to Presidential Powers Video 1 Formal Powers Presidential powers outlined in the U S Constitution Example Power to veto 2 Informal Powers Powers of the president that have been expanded over time but are not mentioned in the Constitution Example Influencing the legislative agenda Formal Powers Veto Laws president has 10 days Sign Treaties formal agreements between two or more heads of state Appoint Officials Cabinet members ambassadors Supreme Court Justices etc Serve as Commander in Chief over U S military Deliver the State of the Union Address Grant Pardons and Amnesty forgiveness of a crime for one person or a group of people Informal Powers Issue Executive Orders carries the force of law but no congressional approval needed Bill vs Executive Order SNL Vide o Clip How do Executive Orders Work Issue Executive Agreements informal agreements between heads of state not passed by the Senate Use the bully pulpit to push a legislative agenda use of influence and position to push agenda forward Issue signing statements Influences how legislation is enforced What do you see as being the primary roles of the President Roles of the President 1 Chief of State ceremonial head of the U S government Gives Speeches Awards Honors Hosts Dinners 2 Chief Executive decides how the laws of the U S are to be enforced Appoints officials Agency dept heads Supreme Court Justices etc issues executive orders serves as leader of the bureaucracy Roles of the President 3 Chief Diplomat Nation s chief spokesperson to the world and designer of foreign policy Meets with foreign leaders constructs treaties executive agreements 4 Chief of Party acknowledged leader of their political party Appoints party leadership to influential positions supports party candidates in other offices Roles of the President 5 Commander in Chief in control of the nation s armed forces Gives military orders sends troops overseas Requests declaration of war 6 Chief Legislator designer of public policy Helps shape congressional agenda and priorities Holds the veto power The President and Congress Very important relationship Many ways Congress can check the president Examples Overriding a veto ratifying treaties and appointments conducting investigations etc Effective presidents find a way to work with Congress Divided Government Can cause gridlock and tension President must sometimes appeal to the public or play politics to get their way The Veto Presidential Veto Pocket Veto Line Item Veto President has 10 days to veto reject a bill if he takes no action the bill becomes law Kills the bill unless Congress overrides with a 2 3 vote Occurs if the president has not acted on a bill within the 10 day time frame and Congress has adjourned within that time No longer an option for presidents but governors may still use Used to approve certain items in a bill usually budgetary but not others Limitations on Presidential Power Beyond Checks and Balances 1 Executive Privilege While the president has the right to keep sensitive communication private this right is not absolute U S v Nixon 2 Impoundment of Funds Presidents must spend money appropriated by Congress not an option to refuse impoundment