THE U.S.
PRESIDENT
Inauguration of Ronald Reagan
U.S. PRESIDENT
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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
EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF
GOVERNMENT
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Described in Article II
President/Vice President
Federal Bureaucracy
President
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Formal Qualifications as outlined in
Constitution
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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
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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 votelosing stands on controversial issues as do
members of Congress
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3. Rule of big “Swing States”: Candidates
from big states have a better chance,
particularly if they don’t come from oneparty states. They can usually carry their
own states and go to the national
convention and sway others
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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.
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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.
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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 nonProtestant has held office, despite the
Constitution’s ban on religious tests for
holding any office
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9. Rule of being Male: As of this date, no
major party has nominated a woman for
President.
Facts:
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No one under 40 has ever been elected
President. Most Presidents have been in their
fifties or sixties when elected
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Youngest President elected – Kennedy
Youngest President to serve – Teddy Roosevelt
All Presidents have been male
All but two have been married
Only one has been divorced
2/3rds have had legal training
COMPENSATION:
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$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)
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SUITE OF OFFICES WITH STAFF
YACHT
FLEET OF AUTOMOBILES
AIR FORCE ONE
CAMP DAVID – RESORT HIDEAWAY
FINEST MEDICAL , DENTAL AND
HEALTH CARE
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PROTECTION FROM SECRET SERVICE
LIFETIME PENSION OF $143,800 PER
YEAR
PRESIDENTIAL WIDOW RECEIVES
PENSION OF $20,000 PER YEAR
TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT FUNDS
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TOTAL COST TO RUN VAST
OPERATIONS OF WHITEHOUSE
INCLUDING SALARIES OF
ADMINISTRATIVE, DOMESTIC AND
SECURITY STAFF AND EXPENSES FOR
SUPPLIES
38.9
MILLION DOLLARS
PLUS
$9.5 MILLION TO
MAINTAIN WHITE HOUSE
VICE PRESIDENT
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DUTIES: PRESIDE OVER SENATE –
ONLY DUTY SPECIFIED IN
CONSTITUTION
 HELP DECIDE IF PRES. IS DISABLED AND
ASSUME OFFICE OF PRESIDENT IF
NECESSARY
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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.
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SAME AS PRESIDENT
SALARY: $192,600
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OTHER COMPENSATION:
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$10,000 EXPENSE ACCOUNT
LIVE IN HOUSE AT NAVAL OBSERVATORY
ACCESS TO AIR FORCE TWO
LIMOSINE SERVICE
SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION &
VICE PRESIDENCY
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25TH AMENDMENT
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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
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COMPLEX OF SEVERAL SEPARATE
AGENCIES STAFFED BY THE
PRESIDENT’S MOST TRUSTED
ADVISERS AND ASSISTANTS
WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
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KEY PERSONAL AND POLITICAL STAFF
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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
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ADVISE IN ALL DOMESTIC, FOREIGN
AND MILITARY MATTERS
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V. PRESIDENT
SECRETARY OF STATE
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DIRECTOR OF CIA
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND
BUDGET
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PREPARE FEDERAL BUDGET
OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG
CONTROL POLICY
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ADVISORY OFFICE AND PLANNING
AGENCY ON DRUG PROBLEM IN U.S.
COUN CIL OF ECONOMIC
ADVISERS
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INFORM AND ADVISE PRESIDENT ON
NATION’S ECONOMY