The Presidency
Terms to Know…..
 Acting President-is a person who
temporarily fills the role of an
organization's president, either when the
real president is unavailable (for
example ill or on vacation) or when the
post is vacant (for example because of
death, injury, resignation, or dismissal).
 Amnesty-A group pardon to individuals
for an offense against the government.
 Appointment/removal
 Cabinet-An advisory
power- The power of the
President to “give” or
“take” a persons job.
 Bureaucrat-A person who
works for one of the
departments or agencies
of the federal
government.
group that helps the
President make decisions
and set governmental
policy.
 Civil Service System-The
principal and practice of
government employment
on the basis of open,
competitive examinations
and merit.
 Deregulation-To reduce the
 Executive Order-A rule
powers of regulatory
agencies.
 Electoral College-Group of
electors that chooses the
President and VicePresident.
 Executive Agreement-an
agreement, usually
pertaining to administrative
matters and less formal than
an international treaty, made
between chiefs of state
without senatorial approval.
issued by the President that
has the force of law.
 Executive Privilege-The
presidents right to refuse to
testify before, or provide
information to, Congress or,
a court.
 Government corporation- A
business the Federal
Government runs.
 Hatch Act-regulating
expenditures, contributions,
and procedures in political
campaigns.
 Impoundment- The
President’s refusal to
spend money Congress
has voted to fund a
program.
 Inauguration- Ceremony
where the President is
officially sworn in.
 Item Veto- The power to
reject a particular section
or item in a piece of
legislation without vetoing
the entire law.
 Pardon- Release from
legal punishment.
 Popular Vote- the vote for
a U.S. presidential
candidate made by the
qualified voters, as
opposed to that made by
the electoral college.
 Presidential SuccessionThe order in which
officials fill the office of
President in case of a
vacancy.
 Recognition- Any
individual, family, or
group can receive
Presidential
recognition for
annual and lifelong
commitment to
volunteer service at
home or abroad. The
following are
example.
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President’s Volunteer Service Award
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President’s Call to Service Award
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Bronze Level
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Silver Level.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Gold Level.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
All Ages
4,000 hours or more of volunteer
service
 Reprieve- The
postponement of a
legal punishment.
 Spoils System- The
practice of victorious
politicians rewarding
their followers with
government jobs.
 State of the Union
Message- an annual
message to
Congress in which
the President reports
on the state of the
nation and outlines a
legislative program:
required by the
Constitution (Article
II, Section 3).
 War Powers-was a United States
 Treaty- A formal
agreement between
the governments of
two or more nations.
Congress joint resolution providing
that the President can send U.S.
armed forces into action abroad only
by authorization of Congress or if the
United States is already under attack
or serious threat. The War Powers
Resolution requires the president to
notify Congress within 48 hours of
committing armed forces to military
action and forbids armed forces from
remaining for more than 60 days,
with a further 30 day withdrawal
period, without an authorization of
the use of military force or a
declaration of war. The resolution
was passed by two-thirds of
Congress, overriding a presidential
veto.
The Presidential
Amendments…
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Amendment 12- The Electoral College consists of the popularly
elected representatives (electors) who formally elect the President and
Vice President of the United States. Since 1964, there have been 538
electors in each presidential election.[1] Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 of
the Constitution specifies how many electors each state is entitled to
have and that each state's legislature decides how its electors are to be
chosen; U.S. territories are not represented in the Electoral College.
The Electoral College is an example of an indirect election.
 Rather than directly voting for the President and Vice President, United
States citizens vote for electors. Electors are technically free to vote for
anyone eligible to be President, but in practice pledge to vote for
specific candidates[2] and voters cast ballots for favored presidential
and vice presidential candidates by voting for correspondingly pledged
electors.[3]
 The Twelfth Amendment provides for each elector to cast one vote for
President and one vote for Vice President. It also specifies how a
President and Vice President are elected.
Lame Duck- an elected official who is
approaching the end of his or her tenure, and
especially an official whose successor has
already been elected.
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Amendment 20- Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on
the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day
of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been
ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. Section 2. The Congress shall
assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of
January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
Section 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect
shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have
been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall
have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall
have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President
elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President,
or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act
accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
Section 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons
from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice
shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom
the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon
them.
Section 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification
of this article.
Section 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to
the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from
the date of its submission.
 Amendment 22- Limits the president to
two terms.
 Amendment 23- Representation of
Washington, D.C. in the Electoral
College. Given 3 Electors.
 Amendment 25- In case of the removal of the President from office or of
his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
 Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the
President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon
confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
 Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written
declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary,
such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as
Acting President.
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Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the
principal officers of the executive departments or of such
other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the
President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the
powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
 Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists,
he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the
Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of
the executive department or of such other body as Congress
may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives their written declaration that the President is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.
Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within
forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the
Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter
written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within
twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble,
determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President
is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the
Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting
President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers
and duties of his office.
Presidential Qualifications…
 -35 years old
 -4 year term (2 terms max.)
 -14 years in U.S. Natural Citizen
 -President is replaced by the Vice-
President
Salary/Benefits….
 The President earns $400,000 a year.
 Along with a $50,000 annual expense
account, a $100,000 non-taxable travel
account and $19,000 for entertainment.
 The White House in Washington, D.C. serves
as the official place of residence for the
president; he is entitled to use its staff and
facilities, including medical care, recreation,
housekeeping, and security services. Naval
Support Facility Thurmont, popularly known as
Camp David, is a mountain based military camp
in Frederick County, Maryland used as a
country retreat and for high alert protection of
the president and his guests. Blair House,
located adjacent to the Old Executive Office
Building at the White House Complex and
Lafayette Park, is a complex of four connected
townhouses exceeding 70,000 square feet of
floor space which serves as the president's
official guest house and as a secondary
residence for the president if needed.
Camp David
Blair House
For ground travel, the president uses the
presidential state car, which is an armored
limousine built on a heavily modified Cadillacbased chassis
One of two identical Boeing VC-25 aircraft, which
are extensively modified versions of Boeing 747200B airliners, serve as long distance travel for
the president, and are referred to as Air Force
One while the president is on board. The
president also uses a United States Marine Corps
helicopter, designated Marine One when the
president is aboard.
Air Force One
Marine One
Responsibilities of the Vice
President…
 Follows the President if he cannot serve.
 Salary: $230,700 and $10,000 Expense
Account.
 Breaks ties in the Senate.
 Mostly ceremonial. Attends meetings
and helps to gather support for the
President and his agenda.
 Some VP’s have been more involved
than others.
Presidential Elections
History…
 Early on President and
V.P ran on separate
ballots…Most votes
President and 2nd most is
V.P
 **No popular Vote!
 Problems that led to
change…
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1796-Adams and
Jefferson from different
parties. Did not like
each other!
1800- Jefferson and Burr
Tie (same # of votes)
Goes to the House which
was controlled by
Federalist. After Debate
Jefferson wins.
This leads to the 12th
Amendment- Separate
Ballots for President
and V.P.
Electoral College Today…
 Structure: 538 votes Candidate needs
270 to win.
 Vote on The 1st Tuesday after the first
Monday in November.
Problems and Suggested
Reforms…
 Winner-take-all system
 3rd Party Candidates can mess up the
process…No real winner
 Election by the House may not meet with
popular sentiment
 We could choose Electors based on
Congressional Districts…Whichever candidate
wins the most votes in each of your states
Congressional District would win that District,
Plus the 2 statewide Electoral Votes.
 State Popular Vote Percentages- A
Candidate would receive the same # of a
States Electoral Votes as they get in %
of the states Popular Vote. (60% of the
Popular Vote get you get 60% of our 18
Electoral College Votes)
 Direct Election- President Elected
through popular vote…Would Undermine
Federalism!
Presidential Leadership
 Head of State
 Chief Executive
 Chief Legislator
 Economic Planner
 Chief Diplomat
 Commander in Chief
 Party Leader
Head of State
 Ceremonial Duties…meet with foreign
leaders at Dinners, Ribbon Cutting,
Sports Teams, Those who accomplish
major goals, etc…
Chief Executive
 Enforces the laws. It is the Presidents
job to ensure that laws that have been
passed get carried out. Without him
those who did not agree with Congress
would simply do as they pleased.
Chief Legislator
 Proposes Laws. While the President
does not pass laws, he can propose
laws to Congress. He has goals and he
uses this power to help him to
accomplish his Presidential Agenda.
Economic Planner
 He writes the Federal Budget. He then
presents this Budget proposal to the
Congress. He can also indirectly effect
the direction of the Economy with this
power and the fact that he appoints the
Federal Reserve Chairman.
Chief Diplomat
 Directs Foreign Policy. Signs Treaties,
sets up trade agreements, decides what
foreign aide we will distribute, etc…
Commander in Chief
 He runs the Armed Forces, CIA, FBI,
and other government enforcement
agencies.
Party Leader
 Helps to set the path for his Political
Party. As the President he is the “Face”
of his party.
Presidential Powers…
 These are the actions that the President
is required to perform by law. Where as
duties are simply “part of the job”.
Executive Orders
 Are Rules that have the force of law behind
them.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/executive_orde
rs.php
 Examples:
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900 - Executive Order 13518 - Employment of
Veterans in the Federal Government November
9, 2009
1027 - Executive Order 13527 - Establishing
Federal Capability for the Timely Provision of
Medical Countermeasures Following a
Biological Attack December 30, 2009
Impoundment
 Stop the spending of $$$.
 Examples:
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President Thomas Jefferson's first use of the power
involved refusal to spend $50,000 in funds
appropriated for the acquisition of gunboats for the
United States Navy. He said in 1803 that "[t]he sum
of fifty thousand dollars appropriated by Congress
for providing gun boats remains unexpended. The
favorable and peaceable turn of affairs on the
Mississippi rendered an immediate execution of
that law unnecessary.“ In keeping with his efforts to
reduce the size of the debt, he left the funds for the
ships unspent for over a year.
Reprieve, Pardon, Amnesty
 Postpone, release, and Group Pardon of
those convicted of crimes.
Federal Budget
 Annual Report. Outline of Federal
Spending for the coming year. Must be
approved by Congress.
Foreign Policy
 Shares this power with Congress!
 The foreign policy of the United States is the policy by which the
United States interacts with foreign nations. The U.S. is highly influential
in the world. The global reach of the United States is backed by a $14.3
trillion dollar economy, approximately a quarter of global GDP, and a
defense budget of $711 billion, which accounts for approximately twofifths of global military spending. The U.S. Secretary of State is the
foreign minister and is the official charged with state-to-state diplomacy,
although the president has ultimate authority over foreign policy.
 The officially stated goals of the foreign policy of the United States, as
mentioned in the Foreign Policy Agenda of the U.S. Department of State,
are "to create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the
benefit of the American people and the international community." In
addition, the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs states as
some of its jurisdictional goals: "export controls, including nonproliferation
of nuclear technology and nuclear hardware; measures to foster
commercial intercourse with foreign nations and to safeguard American
business abroad; International commodity agreements; international
education; and protection of American citizens abroad and expatriation."
U.S. foreign policy has been the subject of much debate, praise and
criticism both domestically and abroad.
Treaties and Executive
Agreements
 Are official agreements between the U.S.
and foreign countries.
 The only difference between the them is
that a Treaty requires the Senate to
approve it.
Recognition
 Official acknowledgement by the
President of an accomplishment.
Commander in Chief to the
Military
 Sits in with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
makes important military agreements.
The President has the final say.
Presidential Support Groups
 The Executive Office: Help the
President perform his duties. Report
directly to him. Started by Roosevelt
because he felt Government was too big.
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Office of Management and Budget:
Largest Office. Helps to prepare the
Budget.
Council of Economic Advisors: Know the
Economy and how it functions.
National Security Council: Military and
Foreign Policy Issues.
White House Office
 History: Created to help with the running
of the Presidential Duties.
 Role: Secretarial Staff that helps with
organization, keeps appointments, basic
Secretarial Office Staff.
Offices
 Chief of Staff: Head of the Staff. The
Presidents closest advisor.
 Press Secretary: Deals with the Press.
 White House Counsel: Lawyer for the
White House.
• The Presidential Cabinet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxSvi6JCCfk
 The tradition of the Cabinet dates back
to the beginnings of the Presidency
itself. Established in Article II, Section 2,
of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is
to advise the President on any subject
he may require relating to the duties of
each member's respective office.
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Selection: Selected by the President; must
be approved by the Senate.
President Obama’s Cabinet:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration
/cabinet
Cabinet Offices
 The Cabinet includes the Vice President
and the heads of 15 executive
departments — the Secretaries of
Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,
Education, Energy, Health and Human
Services, Homeland Security, Housing
and Urban Development, Interior, Labor,
State, Transportation, Treasury, and
Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney
General.
Vice President of the United States
Joseph R. Biden
 Department of Agriculture
 Department of State
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Secretary John Kerry
http://www.state.gov
Department of the
Treasury
Secretary Jack Lew
http://www.treasury.gov
Department of Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel
http://www.defense.gov
Department of Justice
Attorney General Eric H.
Holder, Jr.
http://www.usdoj.gov
Department of the Interior
Secretary Sally Jewell
http://www.doi.gov
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack
http://www.usda.gov
Department of Commerce
Secretary Penny Pritzker
http://www.commerce.gov
 Department of Labor
Secretary Thomas E. Perez
http://www.dol.gov
 Department of Health and
Human Services
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
http://www.hhs.gov
 Department of Housing
and Urban Development
Secretary Shaun L.S.
Donovan
http://www.hud.gov
 Department of
Transportation
Secretary Anthony Foxx
http://www.dot.gov
Department of Energy
Secretary Ernest Moniz
http://www.energy.gov
Department of Education
Secretary Arne Duncan
http://www.ed.gov
Department of Veterans
Affairs
Secretary Eric K. Shinseki
http://www.va.gov
 Department of Homeland
Security
Secretary Jeh Johnson
http://www.dhs.gov