Transcript Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Section 1 Qualifications for President The Constitution only lists 3: 1. at least 35 years old 2. native born American citizen 3. resident of the United States for at least 14 years Most presidents have had politcal experience or have been lawyers but that is not a formal requirement Electing a President Every 4 years Not directly elected *Electoral College *Each State shall appoint "electors" and those then vote for the major candidates *Although the ballot will show the name of the Presidential candidate, when you vote you are actually voting for the elector assigned to that candidate. *Same number of electors as Senators and representatives Terms of Office Presidents serve 4 year terms *Originally no term limits *No president ran for more than 2 terms = TRADITION *Franklin D. Roosevelt ran and won a third term *22 amendment (ratified in 1951) limits to 2-terms and a max of 10 years Salary and Benefits: $400,000 plus money for expenses and travel White House Staff = 80+ people Air Force One Vice President Same qualifications as the president and elected the same way. Presidential Succession If president dies or leaves office the VP takes over his responsibilities and duties. After this would be the Speaker of the House, then the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, then the Secretary of State, etc. (As of 1947 Presidential Succession Act) *25th Amendment - VP takes over and appoints another VP to be approved by both House and Senate The President's Job Chapter 7 – Section 2 Constitutional Powers *veto *call Congress to special session *Commander in chief * receive leaders of other countries * make treaties (with senate approval) * appoint head of executive agencies and courts *grant pardons "state of the union" address - yearly; discusses important issues and possible solutions Roles of the President! 1. Chief Executive: carrying out the laws *can issue Executive orders which are rules or commands that have the force of laws. Pardons, Reprieve, Amnesty 2. Chief Diplomat: directs foreign policy 3. Commander in Chief: leader of the armed forces; helps back up his foreign policies if necessary. *Checks and Balances: the president is responsible for sending the soldiers to battle but only CONGRESS can declare war. *War Powers Resolution: president must notify congress that he sent troops within 48 hrs. If congress doesn't approve troops must return home within 60 days. 4. Legislative Leader: Most bills considered by Congress come from the executive branch. *Presidents have a legislative program (laws they want to pass) *Disagreements = President represents the whole country while members of Congress represent their states/districts. 5. Head of State: Living symbol of the Nation; represents the country by visiting other countries and participating in ceremonies. 6. Economic Leader: voters expect president to deal with such problems as unemployment, raising prices or high taxes. *Plans federal government budget 7. Party Leader: party members work hard to get the president in their party elected. CHAPTER 7 Section 3 The President and Foreign Policy *Foreign policy - the nations plan for dealing with other nations It has 4 essential goals! 1. National security - the ability to keep the country safe from attack or harm AND it is the basic goal of foreign policy 2. International trade (vital to economic prosperity) 3. Promoting World peace 4. Promote democracy around the world Constitution divides foreign and military affairs between the president and Congress. President = Commander in chief and Chief Diplomat Congress = power to declare war, prohibit certain military actions, can spend or withhold money for defense. Tools of Foreign Policy Strategies and methods to aid foreign policy making: 1.Creating Treaties and Executive Agreements 2. Appointing Ambassadors -can be money, food, military assistance, or other supplies given to help other countries 4. International Trade -an official representative of a country's government -must be approved by the Senate 3. Foreign Aid -formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries -the Senate must approve by a 2/3 vote -President can bypass the Senate by making an Executive Agreement -president can make agreement with other nations regarding trade -trade sanctions: efforts to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers. -embargo: another punishment tool which is an agreement among a group of nations that prohibits them from trading with a target nation. 5. Military Force -As Commander in Chief president may use the military to carryout some foreign policy decisions. Presidents Agencies and Staff (Chapter 7-4) Executive Office of the President -about 2,000 employees -budget of over $100 million -Prepare reports, help write bills - Divided into 5 Parts: 1.White House Office - about 500 people 2.Office of Management and Budget (OMB) - Prepares the federal budget and monitor spending 3.National Security Council (NSC) - helps coordinate the military and foreign policy. - Chief of Staff is the most powerful. - Other members are a lawyer and a press secretary - Includes, Secretary of State and Defense 4.Office of Administration - provides administrative services to all executive offices and provides info for people seeking records under the Freedom of Information Act. 5.Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) - helps president carry out the role of economic leader. Deals with employment, tax policies, and foreign trade Cabinet - a group of presidential advisers that includes the heads of the 15 top-level executive departments. -Called Secretaries (except the head of the Department of Justice who is called the Attorney General) *Department of Homeland Security - federal department to consolidate the nation's defenses against terrorist attack and better coordinate counterterrorism intelligence. *Cabinet Responsibilities - not mentioned in the Constitution; they spend most of their time coordinating their cabinet activities. The Vice President and the First Lady -usually do not have important roles -recently more power has been given to the VP -Today, First ladies have an office in the White House and a press spokesperson since they so help serve our country The Federal Bureaucracy -the agencies and employees of the executive branch -carry out the many programs that Congress has created to serve the people. *turn laws into action by applying it and deciding how to do so *administer the day to day operations of the federal government (mail, collect taxes, Social Security Checks) *regulate various activities like broadcasting, banks, airlines, etc. Independent Agencies -not part of the Cabinet *Executive Agencies - specialized things within the government *Government Corporations - like private businesses but ran and owned by the government. -NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) -US Postal Service *Regulatory Boards and Commissions - do not have to report to the president -made to protect the public -make and enforce rules for certain industries -Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadcasting rules, etc. Government Workers Political appointees - chosen by the president; usually president supporters. 90 % are Civil service workers and usually have permanent employment -range from lawyers to doctors -many fall under the Spoils System (jobs given as a reward for political support) -Now the civil service system is based on merit system (people who have passed the tests or other standards)