The Presidency
A. Constitutional Roles
1. Leadership " Chief Executive"
The Presidents chief responsibilities include giving leadership to the immense U.S. Government (3 million people/ 1
Trillion dollar budget) and recommending a workable budget to Congress.
a. Directs the work of his cabinet heads.
In George Washington's administration he had 4 cabinet heads. Today there are --soon to be
cabinet positions.
Secretary of: Agriculture
Commerce
health and human services
Defense
Education
Housing and Urban development
Energy
Justice
interior
Treasury
labor
State
Transportation
veterans affairs **(Home land Security)
b. Enforces al Federal Laws
c. Supervises agencies that assist him in his duties as President
ex’s. OMB (Office of Management and Budget)-prepares a spending plan for the year
CIA (Central Intelligent Agency) gathers info on foreign matters for national security
FBI (Fed Bur of Inv). Investigates Federal law violations
NASA (Nat’l Aeronautic + Space Admin) directs space exploration
2. Military Leader “Commander in Chief”
…of the armed forces. He out ranks every General and Admiral.
a. highest military rank
b. approves major military decisions
3. Legislative Leader
a.Veto’s or signs Act of Congress into laws.
4.
Diplomatic Leader
a. Makes treaties (with 2/3rds congressional approval).
b. Receives foreign ambassadors
c. Nominates U.S. ambassadors (with Senate approval).
Ex. 1803 Thomas Jefferson made a treaty with France – the Louisiana Purchase. The President is the chief maker of
foreign policy.
5. Ceremonial Leader “Chief of State”
The President plays both roles as head of government and of the State, where in other places it is done by 2 different
people. –Great Britain Queen= Chief of State (ceremonial)
Prime Minister =chief executive.
6.
Judicial Role
a. grants pardons (forgiveness for a Federal crime)
**President Ford pardons former President Nixon
b. grants reprieves (delay of punishment)
c. nominates Supreme Court justices
B. Extra- Constitutional Roles
1.
2.
World Leader – the President represents one of the most militarily and
economically strongest nations in the world and has great influence in
international events.
Emergency Director- In case of emergencies Federal Disaster Areas because of
natural disaster (earthquakes, hurricanes, floods) the Pres. Mobilizes federal
resources.
3.
4.
5.
Manager of Prosperity- takes corrective action to balance recessions and
depressions.
Voice of the People the Pres. Represents the felings of the entire nation and
projects this in the many avenues of the media---speeches.
Head of the Political Party-candidates are selected by caucuses (“insider
groups”) but the Pres represents the head of the Party.
C. The Election Process
1.
every 4 years (2nd Tues in November).
2. Nomination (selection) of candidates
Presidential candidates seek nomination by the Democratic, Republican, or minority party.
candidate get selected? A: by the delegates at that parties National Convention?
Q: How are the convention delegates chosen? A: Through primary elections.
(Q: How does a
a.
Primary Elections- voters registered under a particular party choose (elect) a
candidate and delegates to the National Convention. (This election takes place,
usually in the summer before the fall election). Each party holds a convention.
Candidates chosen in a state primary receives most of that state’s delegates votes. (In
recent years, a single candidate in each party won enough primary votes to be
assured of a nomination)
The Presidential candidate usually selects their running mate or VP
3.The Fall Campaign
The nominees “running mates” travel around the nation and appear on TV seeking votes for the November election.
4. The Electoral College
Electors who are authorized by the US Constitution cast ballots for Pres. And VP.
People (US population of registered voters) vote for a President on election day (Nov 4 th) The Candidate
who wins the plurality (highest number) of a states, popular vote (cast by the people) wins all the electoral votes. A
states’ electors make up its electoral college. The electors cast ballots for Pres. And VP about 1 month after the
Nov. election. Almost, always electors cast their ballots for the candidate favored by the plurality of voters.
If there are more than 2 major candidates and no one wins more than 50% (majority) of electoral ballots,
the election is decided in the House of Representatives.
(Electors assigned to the state= 2 Senators plus the number of rep’s for the state. Ex. California has 2 Senators + 45
Rep’s = 47 electors). NY has 31 electoral votes. There are 538 electoral votes – 435 Rep’s + 100 Senators + 3 for
D.C. A candidate must receive a majority of the votes (270).
*****”Rubber stamp vote” and “Winner takes all”
Primaries:
Presidential Election Process
State Primaries “Party Vote” for delegates
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Candidate A
Candidate B
Candidate C
National
Conventions
Fall Election
Popular Vote for Electors
Electoral College
Electoral
College
Vote
President of the United States