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The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is in the news more than any other politician.  This is true regardless of what he does, or how important he is.  It requires only one reporter and one news camera to air a story about the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  Often, the reporter simply stands in front of the White House and merely talks into the camera.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is in the news more than any other politician.  This is true regardless of what he does, or how important he is.  It requires only one reporter and one news camera to air a story about the [[President of the United States of America|president]].  Often, the reporter simply stands in front of the White House and merely talks into the camera.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is not a king.  His powers are limited and enumerated.  He lacks a special title, and is called simply “Mr. [[President of the United States of America|President]].”  Under the 22nd Amendment, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] may not be elected more than two terms.  In the past 40 years, only two [[President of the United States of America|president]]s have even served two full terms (Reagan and Clinton).

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is not a king.  His powers are limited and enumerated.  He lacks a special title, and is called simply “Mr. [[President of the United States of America|President]].”  Under the 22nd Amendment, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] may not be elected more than two terms.  In the past 40 years, only two [[President of the United States of America|president]]s have even served two full terms ([[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] and Clinton).

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] always, however, has enormous political influence.  He is the leader of his own political party, which nominates him..  Everything he does affects the positions and fortunes of his party.  If his party is in control of Congress, then he exerts enormous influence over Congress.  If the opposing political party controls Congress, then it devotes its time to opposing his policies as much as possible.  Either way, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] controls the political agenda.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] always, however, has enormous political influence.  He is the leader of his own political party, which nominates him..  Everything he does affects the positions and fortunes of his party.  If his party is in control of Congress, then he exerts enormous influence over Congress.  If the opposing political party controls Congress, then it devotes its time to opposing his policies as much as possible.  Either way, the [[President of the United States of America|president]] controls the political agenda.

Today people view the appointment power of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] as his most important authority.  In particular, the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] ability to fill Supreme Court vacancies and lower federal court positions is the focus of political attention.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] can usually serve only eight years, but a Supreme Court justice can serve 35 years or more.

Today people view the appointment power of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] as his most important authority.  In particular, the [[President of the United States of America|president’s]] ability to fill Supreme Court vacancies and lower federal court positions is the focus of political attention.  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] can usually serve only eight years, but a Supreme Court justice can serve 35 years or more.

But a vacancy on the Supreme Court must occur before the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can nominate a new justice.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter did not see a single Supreme Court vacancy during his four-year term.  He thus made no appointments.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] Reagan saw three vacancies, and he appointed Justices O’Connor, Scalia and Kennedy.  Instead of Justice Kennedy, [[President of the United States of America|President]] Reagan initially appointed Robert Bork, who was defeated by the Senate.  A majority vote in the Senate is necessary to confirm a federal judge to the Supreme Court or lower court.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] Reagan also elevated Justice Rehnquist to become Chief Justice when Chief Justice Warren Burger retired, and that promotion was approved by the Senate after some heated debate.

But a vacancy on the Supreme Court must occur before the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can nominate a new justice.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter did not see a single Supreme Court vacancy during his four-year term.  He thus made no appointments.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] saw three vacancies, and he appointed Justices O’Connor, Scalia and Kennedy.  Instead of Justice Kennedy, [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] initially appointed Robert Bork, who was defeated by the Senate.  A majority vote in the Senate is necessary to confirm a federal judge to the Supreme Court or lower court.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]] also elevated Justice Rehnquist to become Chief Justice when Chief Justice Warren Burger retired, and that promotion was approved by the Senate after some heated debate.

The Senate’s defeat of Reagan’s nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court in 1987 was a watershed, because it was purely political.  A majority of senators felt Bork was too conservative, and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a presidential pick.  He later wrote a popular book describing the politicization of the judiciary.

The Senate’s defeat of [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan’s]] nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court in 1987 was a watershed, because it was purely political.  A majority of senators felt Bork was too conservative, and the attacks and ultimate rejection of his nomination became known as “Borking” a presidential pick.  He later wrote a popular book describing the politicization of the judiciary.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush will likely complete his current term without picking a single Supreme Court justice.  This is surprising because several vacancies were expected.  Chief Justice Rehnquist in particular, nearly 80 years old, was expected to step down so that a Republican [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush talked him out of retiring in the hopes that Republicans will have greater power in the Senate after the 2004 elections, and that Bush will still be in power.  This is risky: libreal Justices Brennan and Marshall decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter’s term, but then faced 12 long years of Republican control of the White House.  Old age forced Justices Brennan and Marshall reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush’s term, and their spots were filled by Justices Souter and Thomas.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush will likely complete his current term without picking a single Supreme Court justice.  This is surprising because several vacancies were expected.  Chief Justice Rehnquist in particular, nearly 80 years old, was expected to step down so that a Republican [[President of the United States of America|president]] could choose his replacement.  It is possible that [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush talked him out of retiring in the hopes that Republicans will have greater power in the Senate after the 2004 elections, and that Bush will still be in power.  This is risky: libreal Justices Brennan and Marshall decided against retiring during [[President of the United States of America|President]] Carter’s term, but then faced 12 long years of Republican control of the White House.  Old age forced Justices Brennan and Marshall reluctantly to retire in the meantime, during the first [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush’s term, and their spots were filled by Justices Souter and Thomas.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] Harry S Truman would say, “The buck stops here.”  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is accountable for all that he does, and all that the Executive Branch does while he is in charge.  The reelection or defeat of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] after his first term will depend not only on what he does, but also on everything else that happens under his “watch”.

[[President of the United States of America|President]] Harry S Truman would say, “The buck stops here.”  The [[President of the United States of America|president]] is accountable for all that he does, and all that the Executive Branch does while he is in charge.  The reelection or defeat of the [[President of the United States of America|president]] after his first term will depend not only on what he does, but also on everything else that happens under his “watch”.

When a [[President of the United States of America|president]] is reelected after serving a full term, which happens about 50% of the time now, he then becomes a “lame duck.”  That means he loses power because everyone knows he is merely serving out his term and cannot be reelected again (due to the 22nd Amendment).  Still, an effective [[President of the United States of America|president]] can accomplish a great deal during his second term.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] Reagan, for example, dramatically cut taxes and made his successful demand that the communists tear down the Berlin Wall dividing communism from freedom in Germany.

When a [[President of the United States of America|president]] is reelected after serving a full term, which happens about 50% of the time now, he then becomes a “lame duck.”  That means he loses power because everyone knows he is merely serving out his term and cannot be reelected again (due to the 22nd Amendment).  Still, an effective [[President of the United States of America|president]] can accomplish a great deal during his second term.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan|Reagan]], for example, dramatically cut taxes and made his successful demand that the communists tear down the Berlin Wall dividing communism from freedom in Germany.

A [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the vote, as [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush was.  But no [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the electoral college.  If no candidate can muster a majority of electoral votes, then the election is decided by the House of Representatives.  This occurred in the election of John Quincy Adams, and supporters of Andrew Jackson complained bitterly about the process.  Four years later, Jackson beat Adams in a landslide.  Can you find the constitutional provision dictating how the House of Representatives can choose the next [[President of the United States of America|president]]?

A [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the vote, as [[President of the United States of America|President]] Bush was.  But no [[President of the United States of America|president]] can be elected with less than 50% of the electoral college.  If no candidate can muster a majority of electoral votes, then the election is decided by the House of Representatives.  This occurred in the election of John Quincy Adams, and supporters of Andrew Jackson complained bitterly about the process.  Four years later, Jackson beat Adams in a landslide.  Can you find the constitutional provision dictating how the House of Representatives can choose the next [[President of the United States of America|president]]?