Chapter 13: The Presidency

What were the Framers' original provisions for choosing the President?

(1) According to the Constitution, the President and Vice President are chosen by a special body of presidential electors. (2) Originally, these electors each cast two electoral votes, each for a different candidate. (3) The candidate with the most votes would become President, and the candidate with the second highest total would become Vice President.

What are the flaws in the electoral college?

(1) It is possible to win the popular vote in the presidential election, but lose the electoral college vote. This has happened four times in U.S. history (1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000). (2) Nothing in the Constitution, nor in any federal statute, requires the electors to vote for the candidate favored by the popular vote in their State

What are the advantages and disadvantages of proposed reforms in the electoral college?

(3) If no candidate gains a majority in the electoral college, the election is thrown into the House, a situation that has happened twice (1800 and 1824). In this process, each State is given one vote, meaning that States with smaller populations wield the same power as those with larger populations.

What is the role of the Vice President?

1) to preside over the Senate, and 2) to help decide the question of presidential disability.

What are the formal qualifications necessary to become President?

1. Must be a natural born citizen 2. Must be at least 35 years of age 3. Have lived in the United States for at least 14 years

What is the function of the electoral college today?

All States, except two (Maine and Nebraska), select electors based on the winner of the popular vote in that State. Electors then meet in the State capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December and cast their votes for President and Vice President. On January 6, the electoral votes cast are counted by the president of the Senate, and the President and Vice President are formally elected. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes (270), the election is thrown into the House of Representatives.

What are the limits on the Presidents' terms in office?

Can only serve two terms in office and a maximum of 10 years service total.

What are the President's many roles?

Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, Chief Citizen.

What are the constitutional provisions for presidential disability?

Sections 3 and 4 of the 25th Amendment provide procedures to follow when the President is disabled. The Vice President is to become acting President if (1) the President informs Congress, in writing, "that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office," or (2) the Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet inform Congress, in writing, that the President is thus incapacitated.

How does the Constitution provide for presidential succession?

The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, made it clear that the Vice President will become President if the President is removed from office. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947 set the order of succession following the Vice President.

How is the President compensated?

The President's pay was first set at $25,000 a year. Currently, the President is paid $400,000 a year. Congress has also approved an expense allowance for the President, which is currently $50,000 a year. $100,000 nontaxable travel account. $19,000 for official entertaining. $10,000 in franking expenses. Besides monetary benefits, the President gets to live in the 132-room mansion that we call the White House. The President is also granted other benefits, including a large suite of offices, a staff, the use of Air Force One, and many other fringe benefits.

How did the rise of political parties change the original provisions set out in the Constitution?

The most important part of the 12th amendment is that instead of casting two votes for President, each elector must pick a President AND a Vice President on his or her ballot. This ensures that the President will be paired with his running mate after the election.