Notes on Chapter 13 - The Presidency

Chapter 13 - The Presidency

Section 1: The President’s Job Description

• Roles of the President:

  • Chief of State: Ceremonial head of government, symbol of the nation.

  • Chief Executive: Holds the executive power, responsible for enforcing laws.

  • Chief Administrator: Director of the U.S. government’s administrative functions.

  • Chief Diplomat: Main architect of foreign policy, spokesperson to the world.

  • Commander in Chief: Controls armed forces, making military decisions.

  • Chief Legislator: Proposes and influences legislation, sets public policy agenda.

  • Chief of Party: Leader of the political party in power.

  • Chief Citizen: Represents all citizens, expected to act in the public interest.

• Qualifications to Become President (Article II, Section 1):

  • Must be a natural-born citizen of the U.S.

  • At least 35 years old.

  • Must have been a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years.

• Presidential Term:

  • Initially, no term limits existed; traditionally limited to two terms.

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt broke this tradition, serving four terms.

  • The 22nd Amendment now limits Presidents to two elected terms (or one if they succeed to the presidency).

• Compensation:

  • Initial salary was $25,000; currently, it is $400,000 annually.

  • Additional $50,000 as an expense allowance.

  • Benefits include residence in the White House, staff, and transport via Air Force One.

  • Congress determines salary, which cannot change mid-term.

Section 2: Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency

• Presidential Succession:

  • The 25th Amendment established the Vice President as successor if the President is removed from office.

  • The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 outlines the order of succession after the Vice President.

• Presidential Disability:

  • Sections 3 and 4 of the 25th Amendment clarify procedures for presidential disability:

  • The President must notify Congress.

  • The Vice President and Cabinet can affirm incapacity.

• Role of the Vice President:

  • Presides over the Senate.

  • Assists in determining presidential disability.

  • The President nominates a new Vice President if the position becomes vacant, subject to Congressional approval.

Section 3: Presidential Selection: The Framers’ Plan

• Original Provisions:

  • Presidents were to be elected by a body of electors.

  • Each elector originally cast two votes; the highest became President, the second became Vice President.

• The Rise of Political Parties:

  • Political parties emerged and revealed flaws in the electoral system.

• The 12th Amendment:

  • Ratified in 1804 after the election of 1800, it stipulated that electors cast separate votes for President and Vice President to avoid ties.

Section 4: Presidential Nominations

• Role of Conventions:

  • Conventions are vital for the nomination process, arranged by national committees.

  • Delegates are apportioned based on electoral votes.

• Presidential Primaries:

  • Primaries determine delegates for national conventions and express voter preferences.

  • Many states use proportional representation to match delegates to voter preferences.

• Caucus-Convention Process:

  • In states without primaries, delegates are selected through caucuses where party voters gather.

• National Conventions:

  • Officially nominate candidates and adopt party platforms outlining policies and goals.

• Candidates Who Are Nominated:

  • Incumbent Presidents generally secure nomination easily.

  • Political experience is crucial; state governors and senators frequently nominated.

Section 5: The Election

• Function of the Electoral College:

  • Voters elect electors, who then formally elect the President/Vice President.

  • Electoral votes counted on January 6; majority of 270 needed.

  • If no candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives decides.

• Flaws in the Electoral College:

  • Electors are not legally required to vote based on popular vote.

  • Possibility of winning the popular vote but losing the election.

  • The process can lead to inequities in representation (smaller states have equal power).

• Proposed Reforms:

  • District Plan: Electors chosen similarly to Congress members.

  • Direct Popular Election: Majority vote directly elects the President.

  • Proportional Plan: Candidates receive electoral votes based on their proportion of the popular vote.

  • National Bonus Plan: Winner of the popular vote gets additional electoral votes.

• Support for the Electoral College:

  • Familiarity with the process; unseen defects in proposed reforms.

  • The system typically delivers quick and definitive results in elections.