Unit 4: Structure and functions of the federal government

1. Unit 4: Structure and functions of the federal government Chapter 7: The Executive Branch

2. Content statements Law and public policy are created and implemented by three branches of government; each functions with its own set of powers and responsibilities. The political process creates a dynamic interaction among the three branches of government in addressing current issues.

3. What are three qualities that make a good leader? What are some examples of good leaders?

4. The executive branch Section 1: The Presidential Office

6. Presidential vocabulary • Executive • Having the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect. • Bureaucracy • A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives • Administration • The process or activity of running a business, organization, etc.

8. Roles of the President • Chief Executive—carries out the nation’s laws • Commander in Chief—leader of the nation’s armed forces • Chief Agenda Setter • State of the Union Address • Budget proposal • Representative on the Nation • Chief of State—symbolizes the US and its people • Foreign Policy Leader—our plans for dealing with other countries • Party Leader

9. QUALIFICATIONS TO BE PRESIDENT

10. TERMS AND LIMITS OF PRESIDENT • 4 Year Term • 2 term limit • A president can serve a total of ten years… how is that possible?

11. “It’s good to be President” • $ 400,000/ year Salary • $50,000/ year expense allowance • White House & Camp David • “The Beast”, Marine One, Air Force One

14. AIR FORCE ONE

16. DISCUSS… • Does the President make too much ? • Median Income in U.S. Home $50,000 • Fortune 500 CEO’s $10,600,000

17. Order of succession

18. The executive branch Section 2: Presidential Powers

19. Power of the Presidency • Executive Powers • Diplomatic Powers • Judicial Powers • Legislative Powers

24. Growth of Presidential Power • Presidential power has increased over time, mostly because of the men who have held the office • Do you think the President has too much power? Why or why not?

25. The executive branch Section 3: Presidential Nomination and Election

26. How do we nominate presidential candidates? • Framers did not set a means for nominating presidential candidates, only for electing the President and VP • Nomination procedures have changed over time • 1800’s—Congressional caucuses were used • Later, national conventions used to nominate • Presidential primaries • Choosing delegates for the conventions • Show voter preference • Some states use caucuses instead of primaries • These are held early in the year • Most weak candidates are eliminated • Most nominees are known before the convention • National Nomination Convention • Speeches • Adoption of a party platform • State roll call of votes for the candidates • Candidate who wins the nomination then campaigns for several months before the general election is held

27. The Electoral College • Actually chooses the president and VP • Each state has electoral votes = to number in Congress • Popular vote in each state determines who the electors will vote for • 3 criticisms of electoral college • Candidate can win election and lose popular vote • A state’s electoral votes do not have to reflect its popular vote • A strong bid by a third-party or independent candidate could mean that neither major-party candidate receives the majority of the electoral votes, throwing the election into the House of Representatives

28. 2008 Electoral Votes

29. 2012 Electoral Votes

30. Electoral college webpage http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

31. The executive Branch Section 4: Executive Office of the President and the Cabinet

32. THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: • 1. Executive Office of the President • 2. The Cabinet

34. Executive Office of the President • 1. White House Office • Before Civil War • No help • Presidents paid for help out of own pocket • Today • Large office staff • President picks—no Senate approval • Chief of Staff is leader • Controls access to the President • Advisors • National security • Domestic policy • Speechwriters • How to deal with Congress • Press secretary • Deal with mail • 20,000 letters/week • Thousands of emails • Many, many others

35. Executive Office of the President • 2. National Security Council • Set up in 1947 • Improve coordination among gov depts. That deal w/ national security issues (CIA, FBI, State Dept) • National Security Advisor is head • Sometimes travel to other countries to negotiate • 3. Office of Management and Budget • Executive branch agencies submit budgets to the OMB • Helps Pres. prepare budgets • 4. Council of Economic Advisors • Set up in 1946 • Econ advise to President

36. Executive Office of the President • 5. National Economic Council • Set up in 1993 (Clinton) • Monitor and advise the Pres on US trade and industrial technology • 6. The Vice President • Constitution • Lead the Senate • Take over if President can’t perform duties • Today—move involved • Help agencies run more smoothly • Many more important duties

37. II. The Cabinet • 15 departments that assist the president in carrying out the work of the executive branch • Heads are called secretaries (Exception: Attorney General) • Early days—president relied heavily on Cabinet for advice • Today—not as much because of White House staff • Pres does not need full Cabinet meetings • Each deal with specific area

38. Cabinet • Dept. of Agriculture • Dep. of Interior • Dept. of Commerce • Dept. of Justice • Dept. of Defense • Dept. of Labor • Dept. of Education • Dept. of State • Dept. of Energy • Dept. of Transportation • Dept. of Health and Human Services • Dept. of the Treasury • Dept. of Housing and Urban Development • Dept. of Veteran Affairs • Dept. of Homeland Security

39. Cabinet website • http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet