The President and Executive Branch Chapter 13: The Presidency.
Ch. 13 - The Presidency
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Transcript of Ch. 13 - The Presidency
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief of StateChief of StateCeremonial head of the Ceremonial head of the
countrycountryActs as the “face of the U.S.”Acts as the “face of the U.S.”Welcomes foreign dignitariesWelcomes foreign dignitariesFor example…For example…
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief ExecutiveChief ExecutiveEnsures that the nation’s Ensures that the nation’s
laws are enforced and laws are enforced and carried outcarried out
Head of the executive branchHead of the executive branch
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief AdministratorChief Administrator Head of the entire bureaucracy – people Head of the entire bureaucracy – people
who work for the government to who work for the government to implement policiesimplement policies
Appoints everyone in the top levels of Appoints everyone in the top levels of the bureaucracy, with approval of a the bureaucracy, with approval of a majority of the Senatemajority of the Senate
May also fire any appointed personMay also fire any appointed person does not need Senate approval for firingdoes not need Senate approval for firing
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief DiplomatChief Diplomat Develops the nation’s foreign policy Develops the nation’s foreign policy
stancesstancesTop advisor on foreign policy is the Top advisor on foreign policy is the
Secretary of StateSecretary of State Spokesperson to the rest of the Spokesperson to the rest of the
worldworld Meets and befriends leaders of Meets and befriends leaders of
foreign countriesforeign countries
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Commander-in-ChiefCommander-in-ChiefTop commander of all Top commander of all
branches of the armed forcesbranches of the armed forcesAll are subject to his All are subject to his
immediate controlimmediate controlCan wage undeclared warsCan wage undeclared wars
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief LegislatorChief LegislatorProposes Laws to CongressProposes Laws to CongressChooses whether to sign bills Chooses whether to sign bills
into law or veto theminto law or veto themCan also issue Can also issue executive orders executive orders
– changes in executive branch – changes in executive branch policy that have the effect of lawpolicy that have the effect of law
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief of PartyChief of Party He is the undisputed leader and face of He is the undisputed leader and face of
the party that helped elect himthe party that helped elect him Helps raise money and campaign for Helps raise money and campaign for
other party membersother party members The “coattail effect” – Congressional The “coattail effect” – Congressional
candidates from the party “ride his candidates from the party “ride his coattails” into victorycoattails” into victory
The Many Roles of the PresidentThe Many Roles of the President
Chief CitizenChief CitizenWork to help the public as a Work to help the public as a
whole, rather than private whole, rather than private interestsinterests
Represent what all American Represent what all American people should be (in terms of people should be (in terms of character)character)
QualificationsQualificationsWHAT DOES IT
TAKE TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL
MAN IN THE WORLD?!?!
QualificationsQualifications
35 years old35 years old Natural Born U.S. CitizenNatural Born U.S. Citizen
Could be born in another country to Could be born in another country to an American parent (jus sanguinis)an American parent (jus sanguinis)
Or born on U.S. soil (jus solis)Or born on U.S. soil (jus solis) Resident of the U.S. for 14 yearsResident of the U.S. for 14 years
TermsTerms
Pres. serves a 4 year termPres. serves a 4 year term Limited to 2 terms by the 22Limited to 2 terms by the 22ndnd
AmendmentAmendment If V.P. takes over less than half of If V.P. takes over less than half of
President’s term, it doesn’t count President’s term, it doesn’t count against himagainst him
Thus, most possible years = 10Thus, most possible years = 10
$ Perks $$ Perks $Salary of $400,000 per year Salary of $400,000 per year
for lifefor life$50,000 in expenses$50,000 in expensesFree medical care for lifeFree medical care for lifeLive in the White HouseLive in the White HouseUse of Air Force One, Marine Use of Air Force One, Marine
One, other transportationOne, other transportation
Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession Constitution originally only provided that Constitution originally only provided that
when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. when Pres. becomes incapable, V.P. would become “acting president”would become “acting president” Didn’tDidn’t address: address:
Is V.P. now president forever?Is V.P. now president forever? Does “acting president” have the same power as Does “acting president” have the same power as
president?president? What if the V.P. leaves office?What if the V.P. leaves office? Who decides if the president is “unable”Who decides if the president is “unable” How is it determined when the president is “able” How is it determined when the president is “able”
again?again? All of this was fixed by the 25All of this was fixed by the 25 thth Amendment Amendment
(1967)(1967)
Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession
If president dies, resigns, is If president dies, resigns, is impeached, or is temporarily impeached, or is temporarily incapable, succession occursincapable, succession occurs Pres. can be declared temporarily Pres. can be declared temporarily
incapable by himself, or V.P. with a incapable by himself, or V.P. with a majority of the Cabinet (25majority of the Cabinet (25thth Amendment)Amendment)
Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession
What if more than just the president What if more than just the president dies, or is removed from office?dies, or is removed from office?
Order of Succession – set by Order of Succession – set by Presidential Succession Act of 1947Presidential Succession Act of 1947 Vice PresidentVice President Speaker of the HouseSpeaker of the House President Pro-TemporePresident Pro-Tempore Secretary of StateSecretary of State Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the Each Cabinet Dept. Secretary in the
order they were createdorder they were created
Presidential SuccessionPresidential Succession Impeachment – Explained in pieces of Articles I Impeachment – Explained in pieces of Articles I
and II, on grounds of “treason, bribery, or other high and II, on grounds of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”crimes and misdemeanors” House – “sole power of impeachment”, brings charges House – “sole power of impeachment”, brings charges
with a majority votewith a majority vote Brought against 2 presidents – Andrew Johnson, Bill ClintonBrought against 2 presidents – Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton
Senate – “sole power to try all impeachments”, convicts Senate – “sole power to try all impeachments”, convicts and removes with a 2/3 voteand removes with a 2/3 vote
Never successfully removed a presidentNever successfully removed a president
Chief Justice – presides over trial of the presidentChief Justice – presides over trial of the president
The floor of the Senate during Clinton’s Impeachment TrialThe floor of the Senate during Clinton’s Impeachment Trial
But what if I die?!?!
Vice-Presidential SuccessionVice-Presidential Succession
If V.P. dies or resigns, If V.P. dies or resigns, president picks a new onepresident picks a new one
Majority of both houses of Majority of both houses of Congress must approveCongress must approve
What Does the Veep Do?What Does the Veep Do?2 2 ImportantImportant Jobs (sarcasm) Jobs (sarcasm)
Take over if the Pres. diesTake over if the Pres. diesPreside over the SenatePreside over the SenateThese 2 jobs take no time, These 2 jobs take no time,
and allowed Dick Cheney to and allowed Dick Cheney to spend time shooting old men spend time shooting old men in the facein the face
So What do They Really Do?So What do They Really Do?
They do They do whatever the whatever the president lets president lets them dothem do
Reagan didn’t let me do anything.
How to Pick a V.P.How to Pick a V.P.Balance the Ticket – pick a Balance the Ticket – pick a
guy with qualities that will draw guy with qualities that will draw voters you wouldn’tvoters you wouldn’t
Example of Balancing the TicketExample of Balancing the Ticket
President ReaganPresident Reagan From California From California
(West Coast)(West Coast) Very conservativeVery conservative Idea man – not Idea man – not
concerned with concerned with detailsdetails
Vice-President BushVice-President Bush From Connecticut From Connecticut
(East Coast)(East Coast) Moderate conservativeModerate conservative Technocrat – obsessed Technocrat – obsessed
with nuance/detailswith nuance/details
As Joe Biden introduces himself As Joe Biden introduces himself at a campaign event in central at a campaign event in central Missouri, he takes a moment Missouri, he takes a moment
to recognize the achievements to recognize the achievements of a dedicated public servant of a dedicated public servant who happens to be paraplegic who happens to be paraplegic
and wheelchair-bound.and wheelchair-bound.
Presidential PowersPresidential Powers
Article II offers a vague definition of the Article II offers a vague definition of the president’s powerpresident’s power Section 3 - “Take care that the laws be Section 3 - “Take care that the laws be
faithfully executed,” for examplefaithfully executed,” for example Has allowed substantial growth in presidential Has allowed substantial growth in presidential
powerpower
Presidential PowersPresidential Powers
National Security PowersNational Security Powers Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
(expressed in Article II)(expressed in Article II) Power to wage undeclared wars (implied from Power to wage undeclared wars (implied from
Commander-in-Chief power)Commander-in-Chief power) Power to negotiate treaties Power to negotiate treaties Power to make executive agreementsPower to make executive agreements
Presidential PowersPresidential Powers
Legislative Powers of the PresidentLegislative Powers of the President Power to sign or veto billsPower to sign or veto bills
Signing statements – written explanation of how Signing statements – written explanation of how the president intends to implement a law he signsthe president intends to implement a law he signs
Veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both Veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congresshouses of Congress
Power to propose laws to CongressPower to propose laws to Congress Power to issue executive orders – directives Power to issue executive orders – directives
with the effect of lawwith the effect of law Power to call special sessions of CongressPower to call special sessions of Congress
Presidential PowersPresidential Powers
Judicial Powers of the PresidentJudicial Powers of the President Clemency powers (apply only in federal crimes)Clemency powers (apply only in federal crimes)
Pardon – complete forgiveness of an individual’s crimePardon – complete forgiveness of an individual’s crime Ford’s pardon of Nixon after WatergateFord’s pardon of Nixon after Watergate
Amnesty – complete forgiveness to all who violated a lawAmnesty – complete forgiveness to all who violated a law Jimmy Carter to draft dodgers, Reagan to illegal immigrantsJimmy Carter to draft dodgers, Reagan to illegal immigrants
Commutation – reducing a criminal sentenceCommutation – reducing a criminal sentence George W. Bush reduced Scooter Libby’s sentence to 1 day George W. Bush reduced Scooter Libby’s sentence to 1 day
after the “Plamegate” scandalafter the “Plamegate” scandal Reprieve – delay the execution of a sentenceReprieve – delay the execution of a sentence
2 married Enron execs with children, mother was reprieved for 2 married Enron execs with children, mother was reprieved for 10 years so she could raise the kids while father was in prison10 years so she could raise the kids while father was in prison
Presidential PowersPresidential Powers
Judicial Powers of the PresidentJudicial Powers of the President Power to appoint judges and justicesPower to appoint judges and justices
must have “advice and consent” from Senate must have “advice and consent” from Senate (majority vote)(majority vote)
What Determines Whether a What Determines Whether a President is Effective or Not?President is Effective or Not?
Richard Neustadt’s Theory of Richard Neustadt’s Theory of Presidential Power:Presidential Power:The power of the presidency the The power of the presidency the
power to power to persuade.persuade.
Neustadt’s 5 ConstituenciesNeustadt’s 5 Constituencies
Effective Presidents successfully persuade Effective Presidents successfully persuade the following 5 groups to back their the following 5 groups to back their agenda:agenda: The PublicThe Public His PartyHis Party The BureaucracyThe Bureaucracy CongressCongress Foreign NationsForeign Nations
Neustadt rates presidents based on how Neustadt rates presidents based on how they do with each of these groupsthey do with each of these groups
Running the Government:Running the Government:The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch
The CabinetThe Cabinet Presidential advisors, not in ConstitutionPresidential advisors, not in Constitution Top executives of the 15 Federal Top executives of the 15 Federal
Departments, confirmed by the SenateDepartments, confirmed by the Senate Generally political appointments, not Generally political appointments, not
necessarily personally loyal to the presidentnecessarily personally loyal to the president
Figure 13.1
Running the Government:Running the Government:The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)The Executive Office of the President (EOP) Made up of several policymaking and advisory bodiesMade up of several policymaking and advisory bodies Three principle groups: NSC, CEA, OMBThree principle groups: NSC, CEA, OMB
Running the Government:Running the Government:The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch
The White House StaffThe White House Staff Chief aides and staff for the president - some Chief aides and staff for the president - some
are more for the White House than the are more for the White House than the presidentpresident
Presidents rely on their information and effortPresidents rely on their information and effort Most likely to be personally loyal to the Most likely to be personally loyal to the
president, and don’t require Senate president, and don’t require Senate confirmationconfirmation
Presidential SelectionPresidential Selection
Constitution says – “president Constitution says – “president shall be chosen by a number of shall be chosen by a number of electors”electors”
These electors are the Electoral These electors are the Electoral CollegeCollege
Original PlanOriginal Plan
Each elector gets 2 votesEach elector gets 2 votes11stst Place becomes president Place becomes president22ndnd Place becomes vice- Place becomes vice-
presidentpresidentCrisis in Election of 1800Crisis in Election of 1800
The Election of 1800The Election of 1800Political Parties had just Political Parties had just
appearedappearedJefferson and Burr – Jefferson and Burr –
Democratic RepublicansDemocratic RepublicansAdams and Pinckney – Adams and Pinckney –
FederalistsFederalistsEach elector casts his 2 ballots Each elector casts his 2 ballots
for his party’s 2 candidatesfor his party’s 2 candidates
The Election of 1800The Election of 1800
Final Result:Final Result:Thomas Jefferson - 73Thomas Jefferson - 73Aaron Burr - 73Aaron Burr - 73John Adams - 65John Adams - 65Charles Pinckney - 64Charles Pinckney - 64John Jay - 1John Jay - 1
The Election of 1800The Election of 1800
Burr had run intending to Burr had run intending to become Jefferson’s Vice, then become Jefferson’s Vice, then realized he had a legitimate realized he had a legitimate claim to win!claim to win!
Took 36 votes in the House of Took 36 votes in the House of Reps. to settle the dispute and Reps. to settle the dispute and pick Jeffersonpick Jefferson
The 12The 12thth Amendment Amendment
Requires Requires Electoral College Electoral College to case separate to case separate ballots for ballots for president and president and vice-presidentvice-president
Darn straight, they did.