Hail-to-the-Chief-Power-Point

Title: The American Presidency

Page 1: Introduction

  • Hail to the Chief

    • Introductory phrase associated with the President of the United States.

    • Symbolizes the role and significance of the presidency.

Page 2: Constitutional Qualifications

  • Eligibility Criteria for President:

    • Must be a natural-born US citizen.

      • Born to American citizens or on American soil (includes embassies, military bases, and territories).

    • Minimum age requirement: 35 years old.

    • Residency requirement: must have lived in the US for at least 14 years.

Page 3: Informal Qualifications

  • Common Characteristics of US Presidents:

    • Demographics:

      • Predominantly White

      • Anglo-Saxon

      • Protestant

      • Historically Male (WASP - White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)

  • Presidents listed:

    • Includes examples such as Zachary Taylor, Barack Obama, and others.

Page 4: Informal Qualifications (Continued)

  • Professional Backgrounds of Presidents:

    • Many have backgrounds in:

      • Law (Lawyers)

      • Politics (State Legislators)

      • Business

      • Academia (Professors)

      • Medicine (Doctors)

      • Governance (Governors)

      • Military service (Officers)

Page 5: Electoral Process and Terms

  • Election Process for President:

    • General election: Held on the 1st Tuesday of November every four years.

    • Vice Presidency: Assumes office upon president's death or resignation.

      • Approximately 1/3 of 20th-century presidents were considered "accidental presidents".

    • Presidential Terms:

      • Standard term: 4 years.

      • 22nd Amendment: Limits the presidency to 2 terms or a maximum of 10 years.

      • Only 14 out of 44 presidents served more than one term.

Page 6: Vice President's Constitutional Duties

  • Key Responsibilities:

    • Succession planning for the presidency.

    • Presides over the Senate, casting tie-breaking votes as needed.

Page 7: Practical Duties of the Vice President

  • Responsibilities Include:

    • Participating in policy discussions (e.g., health care).

    • Engaging in diplomacy and representing the US at international events.

    • Negotiating on behalf of the president.

Page 8: Impeachment Process

  • Circumstances for Impeachment:

    • Grounds include treason, bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors.

    • Requires a simple majority in the House for impeachment.

    • Trial held in the Senate, presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

    • A 2/3 vote is necessary for conviction.

  • Historical Context:

    • Referenced materials regarding Nixon's resignation.

Page 9: Presidential Disability and the 25th Amendment

  • Protocol:

    • Vice President becomes acting president if both he and the Cabinet determine the president is disabled, or if the president declares a disability.

    • Outlines how a president can reclaim their office.

    • Procedures for selecting a new VP if needed; the president nominates and both houses must approve.

Page 10: Order of Succession

  • Established by Statutes in 1947:

    1. Vice President

    2. Speaker of the House

    3. President pro tempore of the Senate

    4. Secretary of State

    5. Secretary of the Treasury

    6. Secretary of Defense

    7. Attorney General

    8. Additional cabinet members follow in order of department establishment.

Page 11: Presidential Powers

  • Constitutional Powers:

    • National Security Powers:

      • Serves as Commander in Chief.

      • Has the authority to make treaties.

      • Nominates ambassadors.

      • Receives ambassadors.

Page 12: Legislative Powers

  • Key Legislative Functions:

    1. Presents the State of the Union address.

    2. Recommends legislation to Congress.

    3. Convenes both houses of Congress when extraordinary circumstances arise.

    4. Adjourns Congress if both houses cannot agree on adjournment.

    5. Has veto powers over legislation.

Page 13: Administrative Powers

  • Duties Related to Administration:

    1. Ensure laws are executed faithfully.

    2. Appoint officials as per congressional provisions with Senate agreement.

    3. Request opinions from administrative officials.

    4. Fill vacancies during congressional recesses.

Page 14: Judicial Powers

  • Responsibilities in the Judiciary:

    1. Grants pardons and reprieves for federal offenses (excluding impeachment cases).

    2. Appoints federal judges with Senate majority approval.

Page 15: Implied and Inherent Powers

  • Examples of Executive Authority:

    • Issues executive orders (e.g., DACA)

    • Establishes executive agreements (e.g., Louisiana Purchase).

    • Claims executive privilege (e.g., Nixon’s tapes).

    • Acts during emergencies.

Page 16: Informal Powers

  • Chief Roles and Responsibilities:

    • Shapes media agenda through the "bully pulpit".

    • Acts as Chief of State.

    • Leads the political party as Chief of Party.

Page 17: Acts Prohibited for the President

  • Prohibited Actions:

    • Line-item veto (as attempted by Bill Clinton).

    • Impoundment of funds (as done by Nixon).

Page 18: Expansion of Presidential Power

  • Factors Contributing to Expansion:

    1. Increased prominence of America on the global stage.

    2. Technological advancements transforming the office.

    3. Presidents taking initiative to broaden the role and responsibilities of the presidency.

Page 19: Factors Impacting Effectiveness of the President

  • Influencing Variables:

    • Presence of divided government.

    • Degree of party polarization.

    • Relationships with Congress (alignment of parties).

    • Stage of the presidency (e.g., "lame duck" status).