The Cabinet & the Vice Presidency

3 main roles of the Vice President per the Constitution
- presiding over the Senate
- opening and counting electoral votes after presidential election
- serving as President should the President become incapacitated

Throughout American history, the role of the Vice President has changed. Early on, it merely entailed performing those tasks laid out above and waiting around in case the President may die. After the ratification of the 12th Amendment (requiring electors to cast one vote for President and one vote for Vice President), political parties started to pair the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate together on 'the ticket'. This pairing of candidates led politically minded leaders to start trying to balance their ticket to make the candidacy of 'the ticket' more attractive to more voters. The Vice Presidency itself however, was still not seen as a job opportunity one would desire. The role of the Vice President has grown since the 70s into a position that serves as an extension of the President himself. The Vice President is often consulted regularly on policy decisions and will be tasked with executing certain duties (being point-man / head executive) on behalf of the President.

The Best of Joe Biden

And don't forget former Vice President Dick Cheney

Advisory: Censored word (based on exchange between VP Dick Cheney & Sen Patrick Leahey)

The Cabinet
- consists of the heads (Secretary) of each of the executive departments (State, Defense, Treasury, etc)
- serves as advisory council to the President
- Secretary is nominated by President ( and ......)
- 16 official Cabinet positions, incl Vice President
- advice sought but not relied upon
- "kitchen cabinets"
- Cabinet Secretaries often more loyal to their department than the President

The Executive Office of the President

Who is "the administration" that they are always talking about?
Many of these people work in the Executive Office of the President (EOP).

I don't know what's up with the foreign subtitles.

Executive Office of the President
- The White House Office (The West Wing)
see chart on p.182

There was a television show: The West Wing

- National Security Council (NSC)

- Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

yawn

- Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

Unique Presidential Powers

Unique powers of the President of the United States
- emergency powers
- executive orders
- executive privilege

Emergency Powers
Based on the principle of inherent powers and supported by the Court decision US v Curtiss-Wright Export Corp
Usually invoked in cases of foreign affairs or national security

Executive Orders
Executive orders carry the force of law with them and
    - enforce legislative statutes
    - enforce the Constitution or treaties w/ foreign nations
    - establish or modify rules and practices of executive administrative agencies
Only legal requirement is that executive orders be published in the Federal Register
Unlike laws, executive orders can be revoked by subsequent executives (see Hyde Amendment)

Executive Privilege
Perhaps the most controversial because it allows the executive to withhold information from the other branches
Often invoked when claiming disclosure would threaten national security
Principle has been upheld by the Court
Extent of privilege famously upheld in case of US v Nixon

While the President has unique powers, the position is not all powerful. Review process of and reasons for impeachment from Unit III.

The Political President

The President is, in essence, a super-politician. The President has reached the pinnacle of the American political game. Therefore, you cannot separate the President from politics despite the wishes of some. The President uses political power in a number of ways including as the leader of his political party and through access to the media.

- Chief of Political Party
  The President has, historically, engaged in political patronage by appointing loyal party supporters to certain government jobs. While much of that was done away with in the late 1800s through the creation of the civil service, it still exists in less noticeable ways. (i.e. - US Ambassador to _name that tropical location_ )

- Power for Persuade
  The President, by the nature of the position and the media, has access to "the bully pulpit". This affords the President the opportunity to try and persuade people and/or direct the tone and nature of the debate. To be President, you have to have some ability to do this.

The President & Public Approval
The President needs the support of certain constituencies in order to get things done.
- national electorate
- party members
- key members of opposing party
- Washington

Public approval is the ultimate check on Presidential power.
- high approval ratings = get lots of stuff done
- low approval ratings = Congress won't work with you
- all Presidents start with highest approval ratings they will likely achieve (honeymoon effect)
- military action can increase popularity (rally around the flag effect)
- prolonged military action will decrease popularity
- President may "go public" to gain popular support for agenda (pressure Congress)

How has the recent Syria crisis and response illustrated the above?

But, also consider this....

When evaluating Presidential approval....


Americans tend to look at their wallets.

Agree or disagree??

The American Presidency

What does the President do?

What are the roles of the President of the United States?









Roles of the President of the United States of America
- Head of State
- Chief Executive
- Commander in Chief
- Chief Diplomat
- Chief Legislator







Formal Qualifications to be President of the United States
- minimum 35 years of age
- resident of US for minimum of 14 years
- natural-born US citizen

Unofficial qualifications??

- wealthy
- male
- WASP
- prior executive experience
- good communicator
- charisma






How does the President get elected?
Win the electoral college (not the popular vote....though it doesn't hurt to win that one too)
See graphic on p.165

Presidential succession was defined by both the Presidential Succession Act (1947) and the 25th Amendment.  (See chart on p.166)
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury


Head of State
Serves in this role in addition to duties as head of government. Includes ceremonial duties as well as receiving foreign dignitaries and making official state visits to other countries.

Chief Executive
Role as head of government to make sure that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed. Includes overseeing all executive departments and the civil service of the government. To assist, the President may appoint individuals to various positions in the executive branch, federal judiciary, regulatory commissions, government corporations, etc (with the consent of the Senate). There are also a handful of unique executive powers and/or privileges.
  - grant reprieves
  - grant pardons
  - issue signing statements on laws

Commander in Chief
Unique power of the President as commander of all United States armed forces. (civilian control of the military) Commander in Chief role versus the Congressional power to declare war (A1 S8 C11) has been a tricky dynamic. War Powers Resolution/Act creates some clarity.

Chief Diplomat
Power to make treaties with foreign nations (with consent of .....), offer diplomatic recognition to foreign governments, forge executive agreements with foreign heads of state, nominate ambassadors to foreign nations, and generally lead United States foreign policy.

Chief Legislator
While not an active part of legislating (not a part of the legislative branch), the President can influence legislation in various ways.
  - suggesting/ passing along legislation to Congress
  - recommendations in addresses, especially the State of the Union (bully pulpit)
  - veto (pocket veto / line-item veto) see Table 13-1 on p.458