Consider: How is the modern presidency different from that envisioned by the Founders?

Homework: Assignment #8 for Wednesday

PresidentUnit 4, Chapter 7

AP Government and Politics

In my country we go to prison first and then become President. - Nelson Mandela

No man will ever carry out of the Presidency the reputation which carried him into it. - Thomas Jefferson

I once told Nixon that the Presidency is like being a jackass caught in a hail storm. You've got to just stand there and take it. - Lyndon B. Johnson

A thought to begin…The president is “what holds us together…

instead of what pulls us apart.”

Why?

Video: The Big Picture

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Oconner_Ch07_The_Presidency_Seg1_v2.html

7

Origin of the Single Executive Fear of executive power

Colonists’ experience Single executive agreed on by Framers The Federalist #70 (Hamilton)

“energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks…to the steady administration of the laws, to the protection of property…to justice; [and] to the security of liberty….”

Though some had called for an executive council, Hamilton defended a single executive as “far more safe” because “wherever two or more persons are engaged in any common…pursuit, there is always danger of difference of opinion…bitter dissensions are apt to spring. Whenever these happen, they lessen the respectability, weaken the authority.”

Hamilton also argued that a single executive would be watched “more narrowly” and vigilantly by the people than a group of people would be.

7.1

Presidential Qualifications and Terms of Office Qualifications

35 Natural-born citizen Resident for 14 years prior

Term of office 4 years; originally no term limits Twenty-Second Amendment Impeachment Executive privilege –

Implied power used by presidents to a varying degree;

7.1

Video: In Context

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_Presidency_v2.html

7.1

Presidents and Prime Ministers**Difference usually found in how the person is

elected, and who they are answerable to.In US, president (elected by people) is separate and

powerful; both chief executive and head of the governmentNo prime minister

In UK, no president; prime minister is head of government (elected by Parliament; “chosen by monarch”)Royal family is head of state

In Israel, president is elected by Parliament but is ceremonial head of state; Prime Minister (nominated by President) chosen by Parliament is chief executive

In France; president is most powerful (directly elected) and appoints the PM; Parliament can dissolve PM’s gov.

Prime Minister’s Questions

Should the US president be subject to the same requirement each week? http://series.c-span.org/History/Events/Question-Time-with-British-Prime-Minister/10737438571 /

Prime minister's questions (PMQs; officially Questions to the Prime Minister) is a constitutional convention in the United Kingdom that takes place every Wednesday (when the House of Commons is sitting) during which the prime minister spends half an hour answering questions from members of parliament (MPs).

PMQs forms an important part of British political culture and, due to the natural drama of the sessions, it is the most well-known piece of Parliamentary business in the United Kingdom with tickets to the Strangers' Gallery (public gallery) for Wednesdays being the most sought-after parliamentary tickets.

Prime Minister’s Questions

Should the US president be subject to the same requirement each week? http://series.c-span.org/History/Events/Question-Time-with-British-Prime-Minister/10737438571 /