GOVERNMENT 101: The President

Qualifications:

• Must be a natural-born citizen of the United States (can be born abroad of parents who are American citizens).
• Must be 35 years of age.
• Must be a resident of the United States for at least 14 years (but not necessarily the 14 years preceding the election).

Benefits:

• A nice house
• A salary of $400,000 per year (taxable)
• Expense account of $50,000 per year (taxable)
• Travel expenses of $100,000 per year (tax-free)
• Pension, on retirement, cabinet member's salary (taxable)
• Staff support on leaving the presidency
• A place in the country - Camp David
• A personal airplane - Air Force One
• A fine chef

The Powers of the President:

According to Article II of the Constitution the President has the following powers:

• Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces
• Commission officer of the armed forces
• Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment)
• Convene Congress in special sessions
• Receive ambassadors
• Take care that the laws be faithfully executed
• Wield the "executive power"
• Appoint officials to lesser offices

Powers of the President That Are Shared with the Senate

• Make treaties
• Appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials

Powers of the President That are Shared with Congress as a Whole

• Approve legislation

More Information:

From Project Vote Smart:

• Article II of the U.S. Constitution describes the official requirements one needs to run for President. It also describes the President's areas of power, the selection process, and the impeachment process of the President. These Constitutional Amendments are also related: Amendment 12; Amendment 20; Amendment 22; Amendment 24; Amendment 26.
• The Executive Branch Links to executive branch departments and documents.

Other Sources of Information:

• The American Presidency From Grolier's Online contains a "set of articles on the Presidents, the Presidency and American politics."
• Character Above All: An Exploration of Presidential Leadership From the PBS Online Newshour contains essays, a discussion forum, and transcripts from the broadcast of this program.
• Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the U.S. From George Washington to George W. Bush. Online from Bartleby.com.
• The Inaugural Classroom From PBS in association with the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
• Presidents of the United States (POTUS) Online from the Internet Public Library, this site provides background information, election results, cabinet members, presidency highlights, and some odd facts on each of the presidents. Links to biographies, historical documents, audio and video files, and other presidential sites are also included.