Bell Ringer!!

Take the sheets to help with Cornell Notes………

Did you complete the questions over section one notes?

The Executive Branch

Chapter 7

Section 1

Who can become President? At least 35 years old Native-born US Citizen Resident of the US for 14 years

What have our Presidents looked like so far? All Male White

Barack Obama 1st African American President

Protestant Christian J.F.Kennedy 1st Catholic President

College Educated Studied Law From States with Large Populations

Section 1When do elections take place?

Every 4 years

Who elects the President? Indirect election by the Electoral College

Each State appoints electors who then vote for one of the major political candidates

When citizens go to vote the Presidential candidates are listed but in reality you are choosing for a list of electors pledged to vote for that candidate

Add up the number of House Reps and the 2 Senators and that is how many electoral college votes the State has

Electoral College is seen as a “winner takes all” system

Section 1

So does my vote count?Popular vote is in November- EC vote is DecemberTo be elected the candidate needs to receive half of

the 538 available votes If the candidate wins the “popular vote” the

candidate usually also wins the electoral college vote

What if no one wins half?House of Reps votes with each State casting a single

vote 1800 and 1824

Section 1

How long does the President serve as head of the Executive Branch?4 yearsOriginally there was no limit on the number of times

a President could be elected Washington served 2 4-year terms (8 years) and refused

a third. Most Presidents followed his example (custom/tradition)

1940 F.D.Roosevelt ran for a third term and in 1944 ran for a fourth term

22nd Amendment ratified in 1951 to establish a 2 term limit

Maximum 10 years (VP)

Section 1

What are the benefits to being President?Salary $400,000Money for expenses and travel also givenDomestic staff of more than 8- people to take care of

President and her/his familyCamp David

Catoctin Mountain in Maryland

Air Force One

Section 1

How is the Vice President elected?Elected with the President through the Electoral

College System Qualifications same as President

What does the Vice President do?Constitution gives the VP very little powerArticle I- VP shall preside over the Senate and vote if

there is a tie. If the President dies, becomes so ill she/he cannot

serve or resigns the VP takes over as President

Section 1

What is Presidential Succession?Who becomes President if something happens to the

one elected

Presidential Succession Act1947 Congress passes this law PAGE 211 look at it!

25th AmendmentRatified in 1967 so that if President dies or leaves

office the VP succeeds and chooses a new VP (both House and Senate have to approve)

Gives VP authority to determine if President is disabled/unable to do her/his job

Section 2What are the duties of the President?

Article II of the Constitution Main job is to execute (carry out) laws passed by

Congress Veto bills passed in Congress Call Congress into Special Session Serve as Commander and Chief of the armed forces Receive leaders from foreign countries Make treaties with other countries (Senate approves) Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal court

judges, ambassadors and top government officials (Senate approves)

Pardon or reduce penalties against people convicted of federal crimes

Section 2What are the duties of the

President?

State of the Union Address- President gives Congress information about issues

facing the nation (required)

Section 2Role of the President: Chief Executive

In order to carry out nation’s laws President is in charge of 15 cabinet departments and the 3 million civilians who work for the federal government

Executive Order- rule or command that has the force of law

Power of Appointment- President has power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Senate approves) Pardon: declaration of forgiveness and freedom from

punishment Reprieve: delay a person’s punishment Amnesty: pardon towards a group of people

Section 2Role of the President: Chief

Diplomat

President directs foreign policy (strategy) on how the

US interacts with other nations and acts towards

other nations

Section 2Role of the President: Commander

in Chief

Leading the armed forces gives the President the ability to back up

foreign policy decisions with force if necessary

Congress declares war President orders soldiers into battle

1973 Congress passed War Powers Resolution- President has to notify Congress within 48 hours if troops

are sent to battle and must be brought home in 60 days unless

Congress approves they stay longer or declares war

Section 2Role of the President: Legislative

Leader

Congress expects the President to propose legislation

(Bills/Resolutions) that she/he would like to see enacted

President makes speeches to build support for her/his proposals and

meets with individual Congresspeople to persuade them

to support key legislation

Congress/President often disagree

-Length of time

-State vs nation

Section 2Role of the President: Head of

State

Living symbol of the USA

President travels around the world or hosts important

leaders in D.C.

Ceremonial Duties

- Medals to heros

Section 2Role of the President:

Economic Leader

Deals with unemployment, rising prices (inflation), taxes

President plans the federal government budget (deficit

spending/debt control)

Section 2Role of the President: Party Leader

Party works hard to get the President elected so they want

their political ideology (values/beliefs) to be promoted

President supports members of her/his own party for positions

Gives speeches to party

Helps party raise money