Presidential Succession
Presidential Succession: 25th amendment
Presidential succession Act 1947
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
VP Speaker of the House President Pro Tempore Sec of State Sec of Treasury
Presidential Roles
What are all the things the President is responsible for? Actually 7 jobs in 1
Chief Executive
most important responsibility is carrying out the nation’s laws.
Most important tool- executive order
Rule or command that has the force of law
Appt. judges to S.C. Pardon, reprieve, amnesty
Chief Diplomat
In charge of country’s foreign policy Can negotiate treaties Make decisions about how the U.S. acts toward other countries
Commander in Chief
President is the head of all armed forces
Back up foreign policy with force
Only Congress can declare war President is the only one who can order American soldiers into battle * Pres. can send troops without Congress declaring war Vietnam, Korea
Congress passed the War Powers Act of 1973 says a president can commit the military in one of three situations official declaration of war by Congress or by specific direction of Congress if there is a national emergency if the use of force is in the national interest of the United States
once troops are sent, the president is required to keep Congress informed about the action Commitment of troops must end after 90 days (unless approved by Congress)
War Powers Act 1973
Law states that Pres. Must notify Congress within 48 hours when troops are sent into battle Troops brought home after 60 days unless Congress gives its approval for them to remain longer or it declares war
Legislative Leader
Promotes legislation
Tries to set domestic and foreign agenda with the State of the Union Address Use veto power
Have been almost 1500 regular vetoes and over 1000 pocket vetoes Less than 200 overridden by Congress
Head of State
Mostly ceremonial role
acts as “First Citizen” meets with heads of other countries first pitch lighting Christmas tree Giving medals to country’s heroes invites people to White House (sports teams)
Economic Leader
Tries to influence economy Deal with problems such as Plan federal government’s budget
Inflation Unemployment Prices Taxes
Party Leader
Serves as leader of his political party Tries to get his party’s platform accomplished Tries to get other members of his party elected
Presidential Roles Assignment
Work in small groups Read the article given to your group Figure out what role the President is playing in that article
15 Executive Departments that help the President get things accomplished
State Defense Justice (Attorney-General) Treasury Interior Labor Energy Transportation Agriculture Commerce Education Veteran’s Affairs Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Homeland Security
Cabinet- group of presidential advisers that includes the heads of all 15 executive departments. Heads of all departments are called secretaries except Department of Justice
Attorney General
What do cabinet’s do?
Advise pres. on issues related to that department Make important policy decisions Meet when Pres. determines it is necessary Heads of dep. approved by Senate
Under each cabinet there are…
Lots of agencies
Federal bureaucracy 3 jobs
1. laws into action 2. administer day to day operations of F.G. 3. regulate various activities
EOP
Executive Office of President Established in 1939 by FDR Most important parts of the EOP are:
White House Office Office of Management and Budge National Security Council Office of Administration Council of Economic Advisers
National Security Council
Advisory board for national and international security Helps coordinate U.S. military and foreign policy Safety and security of U.S. Supervises the CIA –gathers info about other countries
Council of economic advisors
Helps Pres. Carry out role of economic leader Senate approves members of CEA Gives Pres. Advice about employment, tax policy, inflation, and foreign trade
Office of Management and Budget
Helps Pres create and prepare new budget Monitors spending in govt. agencies
Office of Administration
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Provides administrative services to all of the executive offices of the Pres.
White House Office
Consists of 500 people
10 to 12 of these people serve as pres. Closets political advisers Chief of staff- most powerful among this group
Decides who wants to see and what gets through to the Pres. A lot of political power
What can the Pres. Do?
Can issue executive orders – command from President that carries the force/weight of a law Must be followed and carried out (enforced) by all in the executive branch
Pres can also appoint Judges and Justices Can issue pardon – freedom from punishment Can issue reprieve – delay a person’s punishment Issue amnesty – pardon for a group of people
Presidential Power
Leadership attributes for the president can be easily categorized
Ability to manage a crisis Ability to demonstrate leadership as perceived by the public Ability to appoint quality officials Ability to set and clarify the national agenda Ability to achieve success in the foreign policy arena
often been called a “legislative veto”
White House Staff
NONE are elected officials (VP) managed by the White House Chief of Staff directly advises the president on a daily basis key departments Office of Communications Legislative Affairs Political Affairs Intergovernmental Affairs other staff include over 600 people who work at the White House (chefs, advance teams that make travel arrangements, etc.)
Relationship with the Media
The president today must have a symbiotic relationship with the media to get their message out
The president’s press secretary (part of the White House Staff) deals with the press corps President has a great deal of access to television spots Weekly radio address to discuss whatever he wants
Since Watergate, the president has tried to control and spin the media
Public Approval
Polls are used extensively by the White House to gauge public opinion
Average approval rating of outgoing presidents is around 50% During times of national emergency, the president’s approval rating usually increases sharply Techniques like FDR’s “Fireside Chats” and Clinton’s “Town Hall Meetings” help the president to get his message out to the public
Factors affecting public opinion of President
Pre- and post-election upswings – most presidents enjoy a jump prior to and immediately after elections Ability to handle a foreign crisis Condition of the economy – better economy/better polls and vice-versa Leadership during a domestic crisis – moral and ethical issues and response to national emergencies (Bush and 9/11 and LBJ handling of JFK assassination) Ability to get programs through Congress