Presidential nominee. Most states hold a Presidential primary. A Presidential candidate must win a certain number of delegates to earn the party's nomination. Most states reward proportional delegates rather than winner take all.

National Convention- After the Democraticand Republican parties select their

Presidential candidate through the use of primaries, they hold a convention. At the convention each party will name its Presidential and VP candidates as well as release the Part Platform. The Platform is a formal statement of basic principles and stands on major policy issues. Also at the convention the Keynote Address is given. This is an inspiring speech usually given by an up and comer in the party (Barack Obama in 2004).

Election- Our President is elected by a system we call the Electoral College. A candidate must earn 270 votes from the 50 states (and D.C.) to become President.

The election cycle for a President lasts about 2 years. The 3 parts in order are:

• Primary

• Convention

• Election

Presidential elections are in November, every 4 years (always in even numbered years 2012,

2016, 2020, 2024...)

The Electoral College

Presidential Elections are a concession to Federalism.

• Each state holds its own Presidential Election. Winner takes all. All of the states' electoral votes go to the candidate that gets the most votes.

• A state's number of electoral votes= the number of senators (2) + the number of House members (varies based upon state population)

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Virginia- 2 senators & 11 House members= 13 Electoral votes.

270 Electoral votes needed to become President (538 votes).

• Ifno candidate receives 270 votes (think 3'd strong minor party candidate) the election

needed to become President.

goes in the House of Representatives. Each state delegation gets 1 vote. 26 votes

FLAWS in the Electoral College

• A presidential candidate can win the popular vote but lose in the Electoral College (1824, 1876, 1888, 2000).

• The system does not reflect the equality of One person one vote". A vote in California could be seen as more valuable than a vote in Idaho. The Californian is contributing to winning many more Electoral College votes than the Idaho vote.

• When casting your vote for President, you are selecting an elector who will late cast their vote for the President. Electors are tied to a candidate and a political party, but are "free agents". These electors can decide to go against the state winner and cast their vote for another candidate.

SOLUTIONS

Election by Popular vote- 1 person= 1 vote. Winner receives the most votes. (Plurality or Majority).

National Bonus Plan- Combine Electoral College and Popular vote. Candidate that wins the Popular vote gets extra votes (25?) added to their Electoral College total. This would insure that whoever won the popular vote would also win in the Electoral College.

Presidential Power

Where Found: Article 2: The Executive Branch

TYPES OF POWER

Executive Power

President executes the laws passed by Congress. Day to day administration of laws is left up to the President.

Ordinance Power- President has the power to issue executive orders to carry out his constitutional duties. Executive orders have the force of law.

Appointment Power-President appoints cabinet members, ambassadors, diplomats, heads of independent agencies (CIA, NASA), judges, officers in the military. *** (Subject to Senate Approval)

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Removal Power-President can remove without senate approval. ** Except for Judges

Diplomatic Powers-

a) Makes Treaties with foreign nations. Subject to Senate Approval (2/3 needed). ie: Treaty of

Versailles.

b) Executive Agreements- Pact between President and a foreign head of state. Doesn't require Senate Approval.

c) Recognition- President recognizes foreign nations. Grants them legitimacy.

Military Power- Commander in chief of the armed forces. Almost unlimited powers. Presidents commonly use troops without a declaration of war. (Korea, Vietnam)

Congressional response- War Powers Resolution Act.

President Reports to Congress if American forces are committed to combat (w/o

Congressional approval win 48 hours).

60 Day Deadline- Combat must be completed within this time period if no Congressional

Declaration has been made.

30 Days to pull out and return troops home.

Legislative Power

a. Recommends Legislation

i. State of the Union Address ii. Budget Message

Economic Report

b. Veto

i. Sign- becomes a law

ii. Veto- rejects a law, but may be over-ridden by 2/3 vote in both houses iii. Do Nothing- Becomes a law after 10 days w/out presidential signature iv.

Pocket Veto- Bill dies if Congress ends its session w/in 10 days, w/out presidential signature

c. Call Special Sessions of Congress

Judicial Powers

a. Pardon- Legal Forgiveness of a crime (i.e.: President Ford pardoned Nixon re:

Watergate)

Amnesty- Blanket pardon to a group of violators- (i.e.: In 1977, President Carter granted amnesty to Vietnam Draft Dodgers

b. Selecting Judges especially Supreme Court)

Presidential Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy- A large, complex structure which handles the day to day business of an administration (ie: DMV, Red tape, layers... YUCK)

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EPA- Environmental Protection Agency

• FDIC- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation