Chapter 7 : The Presidency

The president in the constitution: section l

Basic function, selection, qualification, succession, compensation/emoluments, oath

The President in the Constitution: section II

Powers- military/administrative/pardons (things they do by themselves), powers shared with senate

The President in the Constitution: section IIl

Duties - state of the union, execute laws, commission officers, receive ambassadors and ministers

The president in the constitution: section IV

Impeachment

The Spoils System

The president filled positions in the executive branch with members of their own party

Civil service reform act of 1883 - The Pendleton Act

This was A hot button for political issues -parties did not like it, people liked it. Massive graft to get anything done and significant incompetence

The Cabinet

They served as the staff- with each covering a different area

The presidency has greatly expanded. How?

As a general trend that many democracies follow, the federal government expanded, As gridlock (nothing getting done) in congress has increased

The four roles of the president:

• commander in Chief, head of state, Chief executive, legislator

The president as commander in Chief

This the person ultimately responsible for the military

Secretary of defense

Requires A waiver from congress if the nominee for secoef has not been out of uniform for more than 7 years

War powers act

President can direct troops for up to 30 days without congressional approval (only congress can declare war)

International Emergency Economic Powers Act

President can regulate commerce in response to a threat from outside the US

Defense Production Act

Companies have to prioritize government contracts and may be forced to make certain things

Extraordinary powers

Whenever there has been a war, we give the president more powers

Executive orders

Used to manage how the federal government works for federal employees and contractors.

Veto

President kills a bill, but 2/3 vote in both houses overrides the veto

The president: the office

The office of the president is immune from suit, but not the person

The president: The person

The president when acting as the president has a different set of rights and privileges from the president acting as a person(e.g. Campaigning is the person, not the office)

"Rule of the rustics"

Moved power to rural area (historically how the Georgia chief executive was elected)

Reynolds's V Simms (1964, TN)

• One person, one vote

• can't use county unit system any more

What do Chief executives do?

• Commander in Chief of Georgia National Guard 

• Chief executive of the state 

• Enforce state law, but attorney general is chief law enforcement officer 

• Approve legislation 

- And lead legislation through their floor leaders 

• Convene special session