• Main Role: Enforce Laws

• Article II of U.S. Constitution

• Headed by President/V.P, Executive Office, Cabinet, Heads of Agencies, Workers:

• Examples

Roles of the president

•1) Chief of State: the ONE who represents the United States

•2) Chief Executive: the guy with the TOP office (think of a company)- the one with most power

                                              

•3) Chief Administrator: everyone’s BOSS in the Executive Branch.

•4) Chief diplomat: our quarterback in foreign affairs

• 5) Commander in Chief: the General of ALL Generals

• 6) Chief Legislator: the guy who sets the guidelines for Congress/ Gov’t

• 7) Chief of Party: Not only is the President the head of the nation, he/she is the head of his/her political party. This role is VERY important. WHY?

• 8) Chief Citizen: the president is supposed to be the role model of all Americans

•The president MUST be all 8 roles at the same time.

•Can you think of how President Clinton’s term as president was damaged because of one of his roles?

•How was President Bush’s term as president damaged because one of his roles?

Qualifications for President

• Be at least 35 years old.

• Be a Natural Born Citizen

• Live in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

The Term of President

•4 year terms•Presidents can

only be elected to 2 terms of office.

• In case of succession, a President can serve a maximum of 10 years.

Presidential Pay

• Starting in 2001, the pay went up to $400,000/year.

• Plus!!! $50,000 taxable bonus each year from Congress

• Plus!!! $100,000 in annual travel expenses: personal trips

• Plus!!! $168,000 a year for life after he/she leaves office (PENSION)

Role of Vice President:

--President of the Senate

--Whatever agenda/responsibility the President chooses to give them

• PLUS!!! Former presidents also receive expense reimbursements for travel, staff and office expenses. These expenses are estimated to be worth in excess of $2 million. In addition, they receive lifetime secret service protection and get huge fees for public speaking engagements.

• Chuh-ching~~~

Order of Succession

• Vice President

• Speaker of the House

• President Pro Temp

• Cabinet – Starting w/ Sec. Of State

Nominating the Prez

• - Presidential nominations are not covered at all in the Constitution.

- Few State and Federal laws exist to regulate nominations

- Whose responsibility is it anyway?

How is the Pres. Elected?

• Campaign for Primaries• Primaries(Feb. – April 2008)• National Convention (Summer 2008)• Campaign for General Election • General Election (Nov. 2008)• Electoral College (Dec. 2008)• Inaugurated January 20th 2009