The Presidency:

 

Qualifications:

            natural born citizen of the US

            at least 35 years old

            for 14 years, must have been a resident of the US

 

President is inaugurated on January 20th after the election

 

Term is four years; a two term precendent was set by Washington and not broken until

            1940 when FDR was elected to a third (and fourth!) term

 

22nd Amendment: passed in 1951: no person could serve more than two terms

 

Presidential succession: originally in the Constitution: only the Vice-President

 

Presidential Succession Act of 1947: if both offices are vacated, the order is as follows:

            Speaker of the House--> President pro tempore of Senate--> the cabinet

            starting with the Secretary of State

 

25th Amendment: passed in 1967:

            if Vice-Presidency is vacant, President can nominate a new Vice President (with

                        a majority in both Houses of Congress)

            if President is disabled, the President himself or the vice president with a

                        majority of the cabinet may inform Congress, then Vice shall be acting

                        President

            President informs Congress that inability is no longer and can resume his duties

                        (if Vice and majority dispute this, Congress  by 2/3 majority can declare

                        him still unable

 

Powers:

            enforces laws and Constitution by issuing executive orders

            appoints important government officials including cabinet and heads of

                        administrative agencies (w/Senate approval)

            serves as ceremonial head of government and symbol of the US

            serves as commander in chief of armed forces

            determines foreign policy of the nation and conducts foreign affairs

            appoints officials to assist in foreign affairs (ambassadors, ministers etc) with

                        approval of Senate

            negotiates treaties (which must be ratified by 2/3 vote in Senate)

            receives or refuses foreign diplomats which indicates recognition of govt.

            may order armed forces to intervene but cannot declare war or appropriate $$

            must give a “State of the Union” address

            may request Congress to pass specific legislation

            may call Congress into special session

            veto legislation he does not approve

            can influence votes of party members in Congress as head of the party

            may offer patronage to influence votes

            may use the press to appeal to public support

            may grant pardons and reprieves for federal crimes (except impeachment)

            appoints all federal judges (with Senate majority)

            chooses to enforce or not to enforce Supreme Court decisions

 

Other elements of the Executive Branch:

            Executive Departments (14 in all) and the Cabinet (heads of departments)

            Executive Office of the President which helps with day to day actions and plans

                        White House Office: press secretary, speech writers etc.

                        Office of Management and Budget

                        Council of Economic Advisors

                        National Security Council

            Indepedent Agencies for specialized problems

                        members appointed by President with Senate approval

                        Interstate Commerce Commission, NASA, Securities and Exchange

                                    Commission, National Labor Relations Board

            Civil Service: 2.5 million people employed in daily work of government