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Introduction The President President's Job, Part I President's Job, Part II President's Cabinet President and Congress Impeachment President Has Fun

  

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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

What should be done when the President, through either injury or other incapacitation, is unable to carry out his constitutional mandate?

Just how should presidential disability be defined, and who should determine when the President is incapacitated?

The old adage that anyone can grow up to be President of the United States -- no matter what ethnic, religious or social background -- is actually true only to a limited extent. In fact, not everyone can be President; only those who meet the qualifications of the office are eligible to serve. What are those qualifications?


How the U.S. President Works


Impeachment President and Congress The President President's Job, Part I President's Job, Part II President's Cabinet President Has Fun

The President

In Article II of the Constitution, the president's qualifications and powers are detailed. In order to be considered for the office, a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and have at least 14 years of residence in the United States.

In order for American government to work, cooperation among the three branches is necessary. The nation's chief executive, the president, is the head of the executive branch. The president is the manager or director of the federal government. The president sees that the government runs smoothly and that the laws of the land are enforced and obeyed. He promises to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

The president and vice president serve for a term of four years and can be re-elected to a second term. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only president to be elected more than twice. He won the presidency four times but died shortly into his last term. The Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1951, limiting a president to two terms.

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The youngest president was John F. Kennedy. He was 42 years old when he was elected. President Ronald Reagan was the oldest president. He was 77 years old when he left office.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

Decide on a name and identity as a letter writer. Decide where the letter writer lives and what problems worry this person. Write a letter to the President, dated 1800, telling him what your problems are and questioning him about how his programs will affect you, your family, and your region. Discuss the new government, focusing on how you think that process would affect you.

Edit and proofread your letter. Make corrections and finalize your letter.

Choose a friend to pose as the President and ask him or her to respond to your letter. Ask your friend to tell you how he or she feels about your problems. Have your friend explain what he or she plans to do as President. Make sure when, why, and how are included.

 

Awards

 

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