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But if that was the calculated gamble, it paid off.  President [[George W. Bush]] was reelected, and then had the opportunity to fill two vacancies in his second term, including a vacancy resulting from the death of Chief Justice [[William Rehnquist]].  By all accounts, both of President Bush's appointments to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] were conservative:  [[John Roberts]], who became the Chief Justice in replacing [[William Rehnquist]], and [[Sam Alito]], who replaced Justice [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] after she retired.

But if that was the calculated gamble, it paid off.  President [[George W. Bush]] was reelected, and then had the opportunity to fill two vacancies in his second term, including a vacancy resulting from the death of Chief Justice [[William Rehnquist]].  By all accounts, both of President Bush's appointments to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] were conservative:  [[John Roberts]], who became the Chief Justice in replacing [[William Rehnquist]], and [[Sam Alito]], who replaced Justice [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] after she retired.

'''III. Leader of the Executive Branch'''

'''III. Leader of the [[Executive Branch]]'''

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has complete control over his executive branch, and fills thousands of positions in the numerous [[federal]] agencies.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval is required only for a few top positions, such as the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials who directly advise the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has complete control over his [[executive branch]], and fills thousands of positions in the numerous [[federal]] agencies.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] approval is required only for a few top positions, such as the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials who directly advise the [[President of the United States of America|president]].

When George Washington was [[President of the United States of America|president]], there were only three [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials: State, War (now Defense), and Treasury.  As the [[federal]] [[government]] has expanded, so have the number of positions.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] has 15 [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmation was required for all of them.  Typically the [[President of the United States of America|president]] fills these positions with members of his own party, often those who were recently defeated for [[United States Senate|Senate]], or former governors.

When [[George Washington]] was [[President of the United States of America|president]], there were only three [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials: [[State]], [[War]] (now Defense), and Treasury.  As the [[federal]] [[government]] has expanded, so have the number of positions.  [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush]] has 15 [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] officials.  [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmation was required for all of them.  Typically the [[President of the United States of America|president]] fills these positions with members of his own [[party]], often those who were recently defeated for [[United States Senate|Senate]], or former [[governor]]s.

How many of [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] members can you name?  How many departments under the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can you name?

How many of [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[George W. Bush|Bush’s]] [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] members can you name?  How many departments under the [[President of the United States of America|president]] can you name?

'''IV. Foreign Policy'''

'''IV. Foreign Policy'''

Historically, the State Department has been the most important agency in the Executive Branch, and the Secretary of State has been the most important [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] official.  Many of our [[President of the United States of America|president]]s first served as Secretary of State under an earlier [[President of the United States of America|president]].

Historically, the [[State]] Department has been the most important agency in the [[Executive Branch]], and the [[Secretary of State]] has been the most important [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] official.  Many of our [[President of the United States of America|president]]s first served as [[Secretary of State]] under an earlier [[President of the United States of America|president]].

[[Thomas Jefferson]] first served as [[Secretary of State]] under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Washington.  [[James Madison]] served as Secretary of State under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Jefferson.  James Monroe served under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Madison.  John Quincy Adams did likewise under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Monroe.  And so on.

[[Thomas Jefferson]] first served as [[Secretary of State]] under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Washington]].  [[James Madison]] served as Secretary of State under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Thomas Jefferson]].  [[James Monroe]] served under [[President of the United States of America|President]] Madison.  [[John Quincy Adams] did likewise under [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[James Monroe]].  And so on.

Who is Secretary of State today?  ([[Condeleezza Rice]]).

Who is Secretary of State today?  ([[Condeleezza Rice]]).

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the [[President of the United States of America|President]].  The Secretary of State advises him on this.  When conflicts arise, such as the war in Iraq, the Secretary of Defense advises the [[President of the United States of America|president]] on the military decisions.  Currently, the Secretary of Defense is Donald Rumsfeld.

Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the [[President of the United States of America|President]].  The [[Secretary of State]] advises him on this.  When conflicts arise, such as the war in [[Iraq]], the [[Secretary of Defense]] advises the [[President of the United States of America|president]] on the military decisions.  Currently, the [[Secretary of Defense]] is [[Donald Rumsfeld]].

Often the [[President of the United States of America|president]] makes trips to foreign countries to improve our relations with them.  Usually those trips boost his popularity at home.  Businesses seek to promote good relations with foreign countries in order to increase trade and commerce.

Often the [[President of the United States of America|president]] makes trips to foreign countries to improve our relations with them.  Usually those trips boost his popularity at home.  Businesses seek to promote good relations with foreign countries in order to increase trade and commerce.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has influence over trade with foreign countries.  The Commerce Department, created as the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 (the Labor Department split off in 1913), is devoted to promoting trade with foreign countries.

The [[President of the United States of America|president]] has influence over trade with foreign countries.  The [[Commerce Department]], created as the [[Department of Commerce]] and Labor in 1903 (the Labor Department split off in 1913), is devoted to promoting trade with foreign countries.

Agencies in the Executive Branch handle many types of disputes before they become lawsuits.  The Department of Education hears complaints about violation of [[federal]] [[law]] in public schools; the Department of Labor hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the Department of Health and Human Services handles the massive [[federal]] health care spending.  Each of the 15 [[federal]] agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security, have responsibilities that grow over time.

Agencies in the [[Executive Branch]] handle many types of disputes before they become [[lawsuit]]s.  The [[Department of Education]] hears complaints about violation of [[federal]] [[law]] in [[public school]]s; the [[Department of Labor]] hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] handles the massive [[federal]] health care spending.  Each of the 15 [[federal]] agencies, including the new [[Department of Homeland Security]], have responsibilities that grow over time.