EBR - The Presidency Lesson
The Presidency Lesson
The Presidency was created in the image of George Washington. Washington's personality shaped the expectation that the president should be wise, moderate, dignified, and nonpartisan. The president had to be someone who was sensitive to individual rights and liberties but proved to have strong leadership in a newly formed nation.
Americans, today, set very high expectations for our presidents. We want someone who provides a sense of purpose and who represents the hopes and dreams of all Americans. We also want the president to pay very close attention to practical matters such as employment, healthcare, immigration, the military, peace, and prosperity. The president must be tough, competent, and decisive. In recent years, there has also been mistrust of government which makes being a president a very tough job.
The Characteristics of the Executive Branch
Explore each section in the tabs below to learn more.
Commander in Chief
The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This means that military leaders report and take orders from the President. The President performs the duties of a civilian civilian (someone not in the military.
Head of State
Is considered a symbol of the entire United States. The President represents the nation at all ceremonial functions.
Chief Executive
The President heads the 2 million people that work within the executive branch of government. The President influences how laws are executed through executive orders, presidential appointments, removal of appointed officials, and impoundment. The President also grants pardons, reprieves, or amnesty.
Chief Legislator
The President proposes legislation to Congress, usually during the State of the Union address. In addition, the President works hard to receive the support of Congress, especially when Congress is controlled by the party that is in opposition to the President's party. The President may use political favors to gain political support, and has the power to veto legislation.
Party Leader
As the party leader, the President helps members of the same political party get appointed or elected to office. The President campaigns for those members who have supported party policies.
Chief Diplomat
The President interacts with leaders from other countries. The President takes the lead in foreign relations and affairs, and develops foreign policy with other nations, along with assistance from Congress.
Constitutional Qualifications and Powers
Article II of the United States Constitution outlines the qualifications, benefits, and powers of the presidency. In order to become the President of the United States, an individual must be at least 35 years old, have lived in the United States for no fewer than 14 years, and be a natural born citizen. The president's pay is determined by Congress and cannot be increased or decreased during the president's term in office. Today, the president makes approximately $400,000 per year.
The president serves a four-year term in office, according to the U.S. Constitution. The 22nd Amendment states that a president cannot be elected to office more than twice, nor serve more than a total of ten years. For example, if a president were to die in office, the vice president would fill the vacated position of president. As the new president (former vice president), he/she may be re-elected twice to office so long as he/she took over the office less with less than 2 years left on the former president's term. After the 22nd Amendment, no president may serve more than ten years in office.
Powers of the President
Explore each section in the tabs below to learn more.
Military Power
The founders saw the importance of a strong military to protect the country and its citizens. They named the President the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
Diplomatic Power
The Presdent was given the power to make treaties with foreign nations, but not without the advice and consent of the Senate. Two-thirds of the Senate must approve the treaty the President signs. If they do not approve, the treaty becomes invalid.
Appointment Power
The Constitution gives the President the power to appoint Ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and other Officers of the United States. The Senate gives its advice and consent. Therefore all appointments must be approved by a majority in the Senate.
Legislative Power
The President is given the power to veto legislation. Every bill that passes through both houses of Congress must be submitted to the President. If the President fails to sign the bill within ten days, it becomes a law. Congress may override a presidential veto by two-thirds vote in both houses.
Strengthening of the President
Until the 1930s, the Constitution gave the president limited power. Congress dominated and made most of the decisions. Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin D. Roosevelt provided the foundation for strengthening the presidency through a combination of constitutional and evolutionary powers. The forceful personalities of these STRONG presidents have expanded the role and power of the modern presidency.
IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS OR OPENSOURCE