Who May Be President?

1
Who May Be President?

• Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution
• Must be a natural born Citizen.
• Must be at least 35 years old.
• Must have lived in the U.S. for at least fourteen
  years.
• No term limit until 1951 - 22nd Amendment
  restricts a president to two terms in office.

2
The Twenty-fifth Amendment Sections 1-3

• Section 1
• If President Dies or Resigns
• Vice President becomes President
• Section 2
• When there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice
  President
• President nominates a new Vice President who
  takes office once confirmed by a majority vote of
  both Houses of Congress.
• Section 3
• When President transmits to the President pro
  tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
  House his written declaration that he is unable
  to discharge powers and duties of office
• Vice President becomes Acting President until
  President transmits another written declaration
  to the contrary.

3
The Twenty-fifth Amendment Section 4

• Section 4
• Whenever a Vice President and a majority of the
  principal officers of the executive departments
  OR other body that Congress may by law provide,
  transmits to the President pro tempore of the
  Senate and the Speaker of the House, their
  written declaration that the President is unable
  to discharge the powers and duties of his office,
  the Vice President immediately becomes Acting
  President.
• The President may transmit his written
  declaration than no inability exists.
• HOWEVER, if the Vice President and a majority of
  principal officers of the executive department or
  such other body as Congress provides, transmit
  within four days their written declaration that
  the President is unable to discharge the powers
  and duties of this office -
• THEN, Congress must meet within 48 hours and
  decide the issue within 21 days after meeting.
  They decide by two-thirds vote of both Houses.

4
Presidents Impeachment and Trial

• Impeachment House of Representatives
• Impeachment is formal accusation or indictment.
• For charges of Treason, Bribery, or other High
  Crimes and Misdemeanors.
• Articles of Impeachment list charges.
• If articles are adopted by a majority vote in the
  House, the president is impeached.

• Trial The U.S. Senate
• The Senate sits as the trial court.
• Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court presides
  over the trial of a president.
• Two-thirds vote required for conviction and
  removal from office.

5
Presidential Roles

• Public Expectations
• The Symbolic President
• Managing Crises
• Providing Policy Leadership
• Managing the Economy
• Managing the Government
• The Global President

• Constitutional Powers
• Chief Administrator
• Chief Legislator
• Chief Diplomat
• Commander-in-Chief
• Chief of State

6
Congress and the President

• Congress can override a presidential veto with
  2/3 vote in both houses.
• Congress can Impeach the President.
• Only Congress can appropriate money.
• Important presidential nominations must be
  confirmed by the Senate.
• President must take Care that the Laws be
  faithfully executed.

7
The Presidents Political Resources

• Reputation for Power
• Popularity
• Access to Media
• Party Leadership

8
The White House Staff

• Provides president with advice on multiple policy
  domains.
• Monitors the operations of executive departments
  and agencies.
• Evaluates the performance of key executive
  officials.
• Sets the presidents schedule.
• Protects the president from scandal, political
  blunders, and errors of judgment.