Chapter 13, The Presidency

Chapter 13, The Presidency

1. The President

   • The Constitution
     • Requirements
       • 35 years old, natural born citizen, resided in the US for a least 14 years
     • Limitations
       • 4 year term
       • 22nd Amendment
         • Only 2 term limit
         • 1951
     • Impeachment
       • Removing the president from office for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors"
         • House majority vote to impeach
           • Senate 2/3 vote to remove from office
     • 25th Amendment
       • If the president is disabled the VP can become acting president
         • A recuperated president can retake the job
       • 1967
   • Watergate
     • A scandal wherein the Democratic National Convention HQ was broken into and the White House attempted to cover up
       • Lead to the resignation of Richard Nixon under threat of impeachment
     • 1972
     • What are some scandals that presidents have survived?
   • Presidential Powers
     • The Constitution
       • The Framers
         • Commander and chief
           • nominate ambassadors, officials, federal judges
             • State of Union
               • recommend legislation
                 • veto
                   • convene and adjourn congress under extraordinary occations
                     • request written opinions of admin officials
                       • fill admin vacancies
                         • pardon fed. offences
                       • "Take care that the laws be faithfully executed"
         • Thomas Jefferson
           • Andrew Jackson
             • Abraham Lincoln
               • Theodore Roosevelt
                 • Woodrow Wilson
                   • Franklin D. Roosevelt
                     • President as manager of economy
                   • Presidents as world leaders
                 • President must mobilize public behind policy
               • President must mobilize the country for war
             • President as direct representative of the people
           • President as leader of mass political party
         • (Enumerated Powers)
     • Running the Government
       • The Cabinet
         • Not enumerated in the Constitution
         • A group of presidential advisers had by every president
           • comprised of 14 secretaries and the attorney general
       • National Security Council (NSC)
         • 1947
         • Links the President with key foreign and military advisers
           • Formal members: The President, VP, Sec. of State, Sec. of defence
         • Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)
           • Three members appointed by the Pres. who advise him on economic policy
           • Office of Management and Budget
             • 1921
             • Comprised of political appointees and skilled professionals, manages and helps budget for the Pres.
             • Grew out of the Bureau of the Budget (BOB)
       • Leadership in Congress
         • Veto
           • Sends a bill approved by both Houses back to Congress with a reason for rejecting it
             • Overridden by a 2/3 vote of each house
           • Pocket Veto
             • Where if Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill the president can not sign or veto it and let it die
             • Seems like a pretty obvious "legal loophole"
               • Has there ever been an attempt to stop it?
         • Presidential Coattails
           • Where voters support congressional candidates based off their support for the president
         • War Powers Resolution
           • 1973
           • Requires presidents to consult with congress before military force, and withdraws forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war
             • Viewed by many presidents as unconstitutional
           • Legislative Veto
             • Ability of Congress to override presidential decisions
               • believed by some that if challenged would be ruled violation of separation of powers by Sup. Court
     • What powers have Obama and now Trump added to this list?