1. native-born citizen of US
2. 35 yrs. old
3. lived in US for 14 yrs.

• anyone can become President by meeting these qualifications, but in reality the requirements are much more complex.

• JFK 1^st Catholic in 1960
• Geraldine Feraldo as VP in 1984
• Jesse Jackson as Pres. candidate in 1988

1. Salary of $400,000 per year
2. $50,000 per year for expenses
3. $100,000 per year for travel
4. Free housing @ White House & use of Camp David
5. Best medical care possible
6. Hundreds of assistants
7. Power & prestige of President

1. Elections held every 4 years
2. Traditions govern elections

1. GW’s tradition of two terms served as custom until FDR in 1940; Term limits became law in 1951 – 22^nd Amendment.

1. Only other executive branch member mentioned in Constitution.
2. Article II states that if President dies or leaves office, the VP automatically takes on all the powers of President.
3. VP has no other official duties other than serve as president of Senate, but in recent years, Presidents have given VP’s more responsibilities.

0. $171,500 per year with $10,000 for expenses.
1. Same other benefits as President.

1. William H. Harrison became 1^st president to die in office in 1841. This raised

many questions – Should the VP perform the President’s duties while remaining VP? Should the VP become President? Should a special election be held to elect a new President?

2. VP Tyler settled the issue by declaring himself President and serving out

remainder of Harrison’s term.

3. Congress eventually passed Presidential Succession Act (1947) to set line of

succession after VP.

4. Twenty years later the 25^th Amendment (1967) officially stated that if President died

or left office, the VP became President. The new President then chose a new VP, who must be approved by each house of Congress.

5. 25^th Amendment also allowed VP to serve as "Acting President" if President is temporarily unable to perform the duties of office –

• VP Spiro Agnew resigned & Nixon had to appoint new VP.
• Ford became Pres. when Nixon resigned and he appointed a new VP.

• Bush serving for Reagan for 8 hours in 1985 when Reagan was shot.

1. Procedure has changed since Constitution was originally written

1. member voted for two candidates for President, and candidate with

majority was named President, while second place became VP.

2. this was problematic, since more than 1 person from each party ran and it was difficult for anyone to obtain a majority in the EC.
3. 12^th Amendment (1804) allowed EC to vote separately for VP and President.

• VP can serve more than two four-year terms, but none has done so.

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