The Executive Branch is led by the President of the United States, whose qualifications and powers are outlined in Article II of the Constitution. The President must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen of the U.S., and a resident of the country for at least 14 years. In addition to formal qualifications, it is beneficial for a President to have prior government experience, access to significant financial resources for campaigning, and moderate political beliefs. If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President assumes the role, followed by the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore according to the line of succession.

1. The Executive Branch

2. Objective: Students will be able to…
Analyze Article II of the constitution in order to identify the formal
and informal qualifications of the US Presidency.
Drill:
Which Article in the Constitution describes the Executive Branch?
a. Article 1
b. Article 2
c. Article 3
d. Article 4

3. United States Government Executive
Branch
The President

4. Executive Branch = Enforce Laws
Powers listed in Article II
Executive Branch includes
1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Presidents Cabinet

5. Executive Branch by level
National: President
State: Governor
Local: County Executive
Which principle of democracy does this illustrate?
FEDERALISM

6. Constitutional Qualifications
(actually listed in constitution)
To be president you must:
oBe at least 35 years of age
oBorn in the US
oResident for 14 years

7. Informal Qualifications
Explanation
1. Government Experience 1. Gov’t positions you’ve held
2. Importance of money 2. Have access to a lot of money
(campaigning)
3. Moderate political beliefs 3. Your political beliefs are not too
extreme

8. President’s Term of Office
Each term is 4 years
22nd Amendment:
- limited the presidents to two term or 10 years
President’s can serve a max of 10 years

9. Line of Succession – Who takes over if
the President dies?
1. Vice President
2. Speaker of the House
3. President Pro Tempore
4. Secretary of State

10. Line of Succession
25th Amendment
Said if VP becomes the new President he gets to choose
who the next VP will become with Senate’s approval

11. Salary & Perks
o$400,000 tax-free salary
o$50,000/ year expense account
o$1000,000/year travel expenses
oThe White House
o Secret Service Protection (10 years)
oAir Force One – personal airplane
oStaff of 400-500

12. Wanted… A New President

13. Include the Following in your Newspaper
Ad…
oA catchy headline
oRequirements section
oInformal Qualifications section
oLeadership Qualities section
oExtra Information that would make the job appealing
***Each section needs at least three items
***At least 1 colorful illustration that fits with each section (except headline)

14. Voter Registration
oCitizen of the U.S.
oResident of the state in which you are voting
o18 years at the time of the election
oRegistered to vote
oSelecting a political party