The American The American PresidentPresident

BackgroundBackground

The Constitution says that the United States must have a president and a vice president. These two people and the people who work for them belong to the executive branch of the federal government. It is the duty of the President of the United States to run the federal government and to see that the laws of our nation are carried out.

Background ContinuedBackground Continued

The President is the highest representative of the people of our nation. The presidential seal has fifty stars surrounding it to show that the president represents all United States citizens. He or she must focus on the welfare of the entire nation, not just the people in one state or district like senators and representatives.

When It BeganWhen It Began

The first President of the United States of America was General George Washington. Washington is the only President to receive every vote from the electoral college and served from 1789-1797.

Where We Are Now- Go Where We Are Now- Go USA!!!!USA!!!!

The current President of the United States is Barack Obama. He made history as the first African American to be elected president. Before becoming president, Obama served as an Illinois Senator, and attended Harvard Law School.

How Many Have There Been?How Many Have There Been?

From the years 1789 through 2010 the United States has had a total of 44 Presidents.

However, 17 of those presidents have served in consecutive terms.

Also, Grover Cleveland served in two non-consecutive terms as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.

Click on the link below to see the order of the Presidents and portraits of each.

Mister G World

Who Were The Presidents?

The Presidents of the United States of America have held numerous positions prior to becoming President. These men were: surveyors, lawyers, inventors, journalists, and even movie actors as in the case of the 40th President Ronald Reagan. Click on the link below to see the former occupations of the U.S. Presidents.

Infoplease.com

The Responsibility Of The The Responsibility Of The PresidentPresidentIt is the President’s responsibility to:

1. Represent our country in discussions with other nations.

2. Lead our nation in times of war. 3. Make suggestions to Congress about laws. 4. Write the budget, however he or she must get

Congress to approve it. 5. Work closely with Congress to get laws passed

or rejected.

Can I Run For President?Can I Run For President?

Because so much responsibility comes with being the President, not just anyone can run for the office. Candidates must meet certain requirements to run for President.

                                                                                                           

               

Qualifications To Run For Qualifications To Run For PresidentPresident

To run for President of the United States, a person must:

1. Be at least 35 years old2. Be a natural-born citizen of the United States3. Have lived in the United States for at least 14

years

How Is The President How Is The President Elected?Elected?AMENDMENT XIIAMENDMENT XII Electors will meet in the states they are from to vote for the

President and Vice-President. Electors will clearly mark which votes are for which particular candidate, count them, officially sign and certify them, and deliver them to the “President of the Senate”.

In the presence of both houses, votes will be counted, and the candidate with the majority of electoral votes becomes the President. If majority vote is not achieved, the House of Representatives will vote by ballot and choose the President from the three candidates with the most electoral votes. The representation from each state will have a total value of one vote. A quorum (2/3) and more than half of the states will be considered a sufficient majority to elect the President this way. If the House of Representatives cannot elect a president, then after March 4th, the Vice-President will perform presidential duty.

What About The Vice What About The Vice President?President? AMENDMENT XIIAMENDMENT XII

The Vice-President will also be chosen by a majority of electoral votes during the initial election. If no candidate has such a majority, Senate will elect one from the two candidates with the most electoral votes. A quorum (2/3) and more than half of the states will be considered a sufficient majority to elect the President this way.

No candidate who would not be eligible for

presidency can be eligible for vice-presidency

What If The President Can No What If The President Can No Longer Serve?Longer Serve?

If the President can longer hold his office, the following three people are next in line to take his or her place according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947:

1. Vice President2. Speaker of the House3. President Pro Tempore

For a list of the full line of succession click the following link:

USConstitution.net

When Does Service End?When Does Service End?AMENDMENT XXAMENDMENT XX

Presidential and Vice-Presidential terms end on January 20th, and Congressional terms end on January 3rd of the year in which their terms would have ended.

Congress will assemble once a year on the 3rd of January.

If the President dies, the Vice-President will become the President. If the Vice-President is not qualified, then Congress will choose replacements that will serve until a President and Vice-President can be qualified.

When necessary, the House of Representatives may select the President, and the Senate may select the Vice-President.

Furthermore………Furthermore………AMENDEMENTAMENDEMENT XXVXXV

If the President is removed, dies, or resigns, the Vice-President will take over their position.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of Vice-President, the President will nominate one who will take office upon ratification by Congress.

If the President declares that he cannot perform his duties, the Vice-President will take over until the President recants his declaration in writing.

The Vice-President and a majority of officers in the executive departments express to Congressional leadership that the President cannot perform his duties, the Vice-President can immediately assume powers as acting President.

How Many Times Can How Many Times Can Someone Be President?Someone Be President? AMENDMENT XXIIAMENDMENT XXII

No person can hold the office of President more than twice. No one who has acted as President for more than two years can then hold office more than once afterwards.

To view the Amendments relating to the Presidency, click on the following link:

Archives.gov

The Powers Of The PresidentThe Powers Of The President

The President is the head of the Executive Branch. The powers of the President of the United States are found in Article II of the Constitution. Some of these powers the President can exercise in his own right, without legislative approval. Others require the consent of the Senate or Congress as a whole.

Presidential National Security Presidential National Security PowersPowers

He or she: Serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

He or she can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To declare war officially he or she must get the approval of the Congress.

Makes treaties with other nations. However, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official.

Nominates ambassadors, with the agreement of a majority of the Senate.

Receives ambassadors of other nations and recognizes those lands as official countries.

Presidential Administrative Presidential Administrative PowersPowers

He or she: Takes care that the laws be faithfully executed as laid

out in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Appoints the heads of each Executive Branch department as Chief of the Government. He or she also appoints ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices, and other officials, with the agreement of the majority of the Senate.

Requests written opinions of administrative officials.

Fills administrative vacancies during congressional recesses.

Presidential Legislative Presidential Legislative PowersPowers

He or she: Presents information on the state of the union to

Congress.

Recommends legislation to Congress. The President cannot write bills. He or she can propose a bill, however a member of Congress must submit it for him.

Convenes both houses of Congress in special sessions.

Approves laws passed by Congress.

Presidential Judicial PowersPresidential Judicial Powers

He or she: Grants reprieves and pardons for Federal crimes. This

power, however, does not cover impeachment.

Appoints Federal judges, with the agreement of the majority of the Senate.

The Power Of The VetoThe Power Of The Veto

One of the most significant powers the President has is the power to veto a bill he or she does not like. There are two ways in which the President can veto a bill:

1. The President can send the bill back to Congress unsigned with a list of reasons he or she does not like the bill.

2. The President can exercise a pocket veto.

The Pocket VetoThe Pocket Veto

When the President exercises a “pocket veto”, he or she ignoring a bill sent to them by Congress. In essence, the bill is slipped into a pocket a forgotten about. After ten days one of two things happens:

1. If Congress is in session, the bill becomes a law anyway.

2. If Congress has adjourned, the bill does not become a law and the President has successful exercised a “pocket veto”.

Is A Veto Final?Is A Veto Final?

A veto, though very powerful, is not the final say for a bill. Though it is unlikely, Congress can override a veto. However, to do so two-thirds of the House and the Senate must vote against the President. Click on the following link to read an article on the veto:

http://www.llrx.com/congress.veto.htm

The Presidential Power To The Presidential Power To Confine Enemy CombatantsConfine Enemy Combatants

A significant power the President has which was fairly unknown until recently, is the power to confine enemy combatants. The power states that once a person is determined to be an enemy combatant by the President, that person can be held indefinitely and be subject to military tribunals. George W. Bush is the only President to exercise this power, and did so after the attacks on September 11, 2001. To read more about the power to confine enemy combatants, please click on the following link:

Sourcewatch.org

The Constitution Says The The Constitution Says The President CanPresident Can

Make treaties with the approval of the senate.

Veto bills and sign bills. Enforce the laws that

congress passes. Act as commander-in-

chief during a war. Call out troops to protect

our nation against an attack.

Recognize foreign countries.

Grant pardons. Nominate cabinet

members and supreme court justices and other high officials.

Appoint ambassadors.

The President Can AlsoThe President Can Also

Represent our nation in talks with foreign countries.

Make suggestions about things that should be new laws.

Talk directly to the people about problems.

Lead his political party. Entertain foreign guests. Recognize foreign

countries. Represent the best

interest of all the people.

What The President Cannot What The President Cannot Do Do Make laws

Declare war

Decide how federal money will be spent

Interpret laws.

Choose Cabinet members or Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval.

Helpful Links http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents

Maintained by US Government

Describes how current events are affecting our government

Outlines Presidential cabinet and staff http://www.usa.gov/

Provides governmental info by topic, for citizens as well as visitors

Provides contact information for elected officials

Provides links for individual State government websites http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/

Site housed on the internet public library, accessible by anybody with internet

POTUS database organizes US Presidents chronologically

Cites notable events, Cabinet members and points of interest

The End