Chapter 13 The Presidency

Section 1 The President’s Job Description

Political Dictionary

1. Chief of State-

2. Chief Executive-

3. Chief Administrator-

4. Chief Diplomat-

5. Commander-in-Chief-

6. Chief Legislator-

7. Chief of Party-

8. Chief Citizen-

Key Points-

Qualifications

• Be a Natural Born Citizen (born in the United States)
• Be at least 35 years old
• 14 years a resident of the U.S.

Term of President

• The 22^nd Amendment limits to a maximum of two 4 year terms (Elected to a 4 year term and then if he/she wins reelection another 4 year term). 
• Many are calling for the repeal of the 22^nd Amendment so a president can serve more than two terms.
• Some argue in favor of a single 6 year term.  Advantage would be a president not having to campaign for reelection.

Pay and Benefits

• $400,000 a year salary
• Housing (The White House, Camp David)
• Transportation (Air Force One,  helicopters, cars)
• Health Care
• Entertainment funds

Section 2 Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency

Political Dictionary

1. Presidential Succession-

2. Presidential Succession Act of 1947-

3. Balance the Ticket-

Key Points

Presidential Disability

• 25^th Amendment states the VP will become acting president if the president informs congress that he is unable to discharge the power and duties of his office or the VP and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress that the President is so incapacitated.
• The President may resume his powers by informing Congress that no inability exists.
• If the VP and a majority of the cabinet challenge the President, Congress has 21 days to decide the matter.  (Now that would be interesting!)

The Vice Presidency

• Duties are to preside over the Senate (“The President of the Senate”) and help decide questions of presidential disability (above).
• Usually chosen by the Presidential candidate to “balance the ticket”.
• If there is a vacancy the President shall nominate a VP with approval of a majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Section 3 Presidential Selection: The Framers’ Plan

Political Dictionary

1. Presidential Electors-

2. Electoral Vote-

3. Electoral College-

4. Define 12^th Amendment

Section 4 Presidential Nominations

Political Dictionary

1. Presidential Primary-

2. Winner-Take-All-

3. Proportional Representation-

4. National Convention-

5. Platform-

6. Keynote Address-

Key Points

Role of Conventions

• Created by the two major parties in American politics (currently the Democrat and Republican parties)
• Date and Location for convention  chosen by parties
• Delegates to the convention are chosen by states based on that states electoral votes and using additional methods.
• Delegates vote for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates.  It’s usually a formality.
• Bring unity to the party
• Adopt the party platform; statement of basic principles; what the party stands for.

Presidential Primaries

• State events that are major media events
• Voters choose among various candidates for that  parties presidential nomination.  Or they can…
• …choose delegates committed to a presidential candidate
• New Hampshire has a state law making it the “First in the Nation” primary election.

Proportional Representation

• Primary elections used to be Winner-Take-All meaning the candidate that won captured all of that states delegates.  Now however there is…
• Proportional Representation meaning any candidate that wins 15% of the vote in a primary state (like New Hampshire) gets that number of delegates from that state.

Evaluation of the Primaries

• Complicated but useful in determining each parties nominee for President.
• Process removes “lesser” candidates.
• Party in Power (occupying the White House) will usually support the  President seeking reelection.

Reform Proposals

• Single, nationwide primary to choose party nominees for President
• Regional primaries (New England, South, West, Mountain, etc) to determine the party nominees for President.

Caucus-Convention Process

• Voters meet and announce their candidate preference and/or delegates pledged to a particular candidate.
• Iowa has the first caucus, usually a week before the New Hampshire primary.

Section 5 The Election

Political Dictionary

1. District Plan-

2. Proportional Plan-

3. Direct Popular Election-

4. Electorate-                                                                          

5.  National Bonus Plan-