Post on 16-Dec-2015
U.S. PRESIDENT One of the most powerful elective offices in
world today Serves as head of Executive Branch ENFORCES & ADMINISTERS LAWS Created by delegates to Constitutional
Convention as a compromise
President Formal Qualifications as outlined in
Constitution NATURAL BORN Citizen (someone who is a
citizen by birth At least 35 years old Be a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years
prior to the election
INFORMAL QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in Government & Politics
Well-known Public Figures
Political Acceptability
9 “RULES” for Presidential Hopefuls 1. Rule of Political Talent: Successful experience
in government, in either appointed or elected office. (Victorious generals can ignore this rule if they choose.)
2. Rule of Governors: Nominating conventions frequently choose their candidates from among the state governors. Governors control state delegations and they normally do not take vote-losing stands on controversial issues as do members of Congress
3. Rule of big “Swing States”: Candidates from big states have a better chance, particularly if they don’t come from one-party states. They can usually carry their own states and go to the national convention and sway others
4. Rule of Multiple Interests: Conventions choose candidates who can command support from many different economic interests-----agriculture, labor, commerce and industry
5. Rule of Happy Family Life: Candidates must appear to lead ideal family lives. Showing off a photogenic spouse and wholesome looking children also helps.
6. Rule of Character: Candidates’ personal qualities are just as important as their policies. Presidents can and do change their policies but the public believes that it is much harder for them to change their characters.
7. Rule of British stock: Candidates with British ancestors have been preferred. Most of the Presidents have been able to trace their ancestry to the British Isles.
8. Rule of Protestantism: Only one non-Protestant has held office, despite the Constitution’s ban on religious tests for holding any office
Facts: No one under 40 has ever been elected
President. Most Presidents have been in their fifties or sixties when elected Youngest President elected - Kennedy
All Presidents have been male All but two have been married Only one has been divorced 2/3rds have had legal training
1. CHIEF OF STATE Performs ceremonial duties Stands as symbol of U. S. Represents the nation to the rest of the
world
2. CHIEF DIPLOMAT
Directs Foreign Policy
U. S. Representative in relations with other nations
Writes treaties, grants recognition to new governments
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE Carries out and enforces laws of the U.S. Administers Government programs Supervises government employees Names top-ranking officers Grants reprieves, pardons and amnesty
6. CHIEF LEGISLATOR Informs Congress about the condition of the
country Proposes Legislation Reports to congress Urges passage of needed bills
COMPENSATION: $400,000 PER YEAR SALARY *FIXED BY
CONGRESS BUT CANNOT BE INCREASED NOR DECREASED DURING A TERM
LIVE IN WHITE HOUSE (132 ROOMS) WITH STAFF
$50,000 EXPENSE ACCOUNT (TAXABLE)
SUITE OF OFFICES WITH STAFF YACHT FLEET OF AUTOMOBILES AIR FORCE ONE CAMP DAVID – RESORT HIDEAWAY FINEST MEDICAL , DENTAL AND
HEALTH CARE
PROTECTION FROM SECRET SERVICE LIFETIME PENSION OF $143,800 PER
YEAR PRESIDENTIAL WIDOW RECEIVES
PENSION OF $20,000 PER YEAR TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT FUNDS
TOTAL COST TO RUN VAST OPERATIONS OF WHITEHOUSE INCLUDING SALARIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE, DOMESTIC AND SECURITY STAFF AND EXPENSES FOR SUPPLIES
VICE PRESIDENT DUTIES: PRESIDE OVER SENATE –
ONLY DUTY SPECIFIED IN CONSTITUTION
HELP DECIDE IF PRES. IS DISABLED AND ASSUME OFFICE OF PRESIDENT IF NECESSARY
CHOSEN TO HELP PRESIDENT WIN THE ELECTION – “BALANCE THE TICKET”
ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE PRESIDENT SEES FIT
ONLY EXECUTIVE OFFICE THAT CANNOT BE FIRED BY THE PRESIDENT
QUALIFICATIONS FOR V. P. SAME AS PRESIDENT SALARY: $192,600
OTHER COMPENSATION: $10,000 EXPENSE ACCOUNT LIVE IN HOUSE AT NAVAL OBSERVATORY ACCESS TO AIR FORCE TWO LIMOSINE SERVICE SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION & VICE PRESIDENCY 25TH AMENDMENT
PROVIDES FOR SUCCESSION VICE PRESIDENT SPEAKER OF HOUSE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF SENATE SECRETARY OF STATE EACH OF THE OTHER HEADS OF THE
CABINET DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COMPLEX OF SEVERAL SEPARATE AGENCIES STAFFED BY THE PRESIDENT’S MOST TRUSTED ADVISERS AND ASSISTANTS
WHITE HOUSE OFFICE KEY PERSONAL AND POLITICAL STAFF
CHIEF OF STAFF PRESS SECRETARY ASSISTANTS CHIEF OF STAFF TO FIRST LADY PRESS SECRETARY FOR FIRST LADY OVER 400 PEOPLE WORK IN WHO
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ADVISE IN ALL DOMESTIC, FOREIGN AND MILITARY MATTERS V. PRESIDENT SECRETARY OF STATE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DIRECTOR OF CIA