By Douglas V. Gibbs
After the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, Elizabeth Powel asked Benjamin Franklin, “Doctor, what have you given us? A monarchy, or a republic?”
Franklin replied, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.”
When the Constitution of the United States was written, the Founding Fathers knew that they did not wish to create a monarchy. Their experience with the monarchies of Europe, and their understanding of the various rulers throughout history, provided lessons that the Americans were happy to heed. Democracy was dangerous, but monarchy and other types of oligarchies were even more perilous. If the young country was to survive in a world of empires, it needed a federal government, rather than a national one, with a President as the head of state, rather than a ruler.
The executive branch was established in Article II of the United States Constitution. The term was set at four years, and in 1951 the Twenty-Second Amendment placed a limit on the terms at two (or ten years if less than two years of another President’s term has been served). According to Article II the minimum age is 35, the President must be a Natural Born Citizen (to guard against divided loyalties), and must have been a resident of the United States for a minimum of the last fourteen years.
Aside from George Washington, who was a member of no political party, the Presidents of the United States have all been members of a major political party. During the early elections the battle was between Thomas Jefferson’s Republicans and Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Party. After achieving the presidency only once with John Adams, the Federalist Party faded into history. After a stint as the only political party the Jeffersonian Republicans changed to the Democratic-Republicans, and ultimately became the Democratic Party. Around that time the Whig Party emerged, achieving the presidency four times. A battle over slavery eventually led to the demise of the Whigs, but from the division emerged the Republican Party, the GOP we know today.
America is not a democracy, but a republic, and among the mechanisms of our republic is the Electoral College. While the Electoral College was established by Article II of the Constitution, it did not receive its nickname until the yearly 1800s. Rather than be elected by a national popular vote, in the United States the candidates receive electoral votes. One of the candidates must not only achieve a victory by receiving the most electoral votes, but also must receive a majority of the whole number available. Otherwise, the Constitution provides for alternative methods of election by Congress.
The inauguration of the President of the United States occurs at noon on January 20. The transfer of office from the old President to the new President happens at this time, unless the President has been reelected and will be serving a second term. Either way, an inauguration ceremony takes place.
The primary role of the President is to execute the laws of the United States, a task accomplished through the assistance of various departments and agencies. The department heads form the President’s Cabinet.
The President is also the Commander in Chief, making the President the chief commander of the United States Military. The President serves as Commander in Chief of the militia (which includes the National Guard, State Militias, Air Guard, Naval Militia, and others) when the militia is called into the actual service of the United States by Congress.
The President may negotiate treaties with other countries, and sign treaties with other countries, but the treaty may not go into effect until the United States Senate ratifies it.
The President may nominate federal officers and judges, but they may not receive their commission for office until the United States Senates confirms his choice.
As the head of state the President receives foreign ambassadors and other foreign consuls and ministers. The President will typically be the member of the government to meet with foreign dignitaries in their countries, as well. While the President of the United States is viewed as the leader of the United States, it is important to remember he is not a ruler or a king. He is a President serving as a member of the federal government, a government that has been granted only limited powers by the United States Constitution. While the Office of the President of the United States comes with great responsibility, and one might even say great power, the President is limited by the Constitution, and may be checked by Congress (through the creation of law) and the people. The President is not a ruler, but a servant of We the People. Strong enough to lead the country on the world stage, but not so powerful that he could become a tryant at home.
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
