The Executive Branch President: The president is in charge of the administration of the government. The Vice President: Constitutionally, the president is in charge of the Senate to vote during ties and to wait for something to happen to the president. In recent years, the vice president is looked to as an adviser to the president. The president uses the vice president while dealing with policy and important diplomacy. The Cabinet: The Cabinet consists of 14 secretaries of different departments and one attorney general. The Executive Office: This is made up of 3 different departments; the National Security Council, the Council of Economic Advisers, and the Office of Management and Budget. Each department has a specific role. The NSC is responsible for linking the president's foreign and military policy advisers. CEA consists of 3 members that advise the president of the economy. Lastly, the OMB prepares the president's budget and reviews bills/proposals that relate to money. The White House Staff: The White House Staff is like the president's right hand. The president relies on them for their opinions on policy, their analysis, information and efforts. The president makes the final decision but the White House Staff does have influence. The First Lady: The First Lady is not an official government position but she is also an active member in government. She usually decides to work one one issue, usually one that no one objects to. | *The President* Expectations: You have to be powerful...but you can't be the only one with the power! American's can't make up their mind, therefor presidents must try to appeal to both minds. He must be powerful enough to do good, but not too powerful so that he is the only one able to do good. It's a balancing act!
Impeachment: accusation after a majority vote in the house ***because of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors When a president is impeached, he is tried by the Senate. Only two presidents were ever impeached, but neither were convicted. The Constitution gives the president 4 major powers: *National Security: The president is the Commander in Chief of the military. Our founding fathers wanted a civilian led government. Also, the president is in charge of making treaties with other nations and nominating ambassadors. He is the face of America to other countries, therefor he meets with ambassadors of other nations. The president gives the State of the Union speech to congress. This sets the agenda for the congressional year. He also often proposes bills to congress and has the ability to veto bills after they pass through congress. *Administrative Powers: The president must make sure that all the laws are followed. *Judicial Powers: The president has the power to appoint Supreme Court justices and federal judges. ***In the 1950s and 60s the people favored a powerful president. After the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Pentagon Papers in the 1970s, the people no long favored a powerful president. Public Support: The support of the people is crucial for a president to have. If a president has the support of the public, then it is much easier to get congress on his side. It does not guarantee anything but it is a strong tool of persuasion. |
