Articles Index
Obama Builds His Cabinet
President-elect Obama has rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work on his Cabinet. Here, in order of presidential succession, is how the job is going. Mentioned and actual nominees for President Obama's Cabinet secretaries.
Obama-Biden Administration Job Questionnaire
To help pre-screen applicants for jobs within its administration, the Obama-Biden presidential transition team prepared a very revealing questionnaire of 63 questions covering virtually every aspect of the applicant's life. Rule One? Never embarrass the boss.
Presidential Security Briefings
Within 48 hours of being elected the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama received his first presidential security briefing from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). What did they talk about? What happens during daily presidential security briefings?
The Presidential Transition Process
As one of its proudest achievements, the U.S. government's presidential transition process stands as an example to be followed by emerging democracies around the world. An unfailingly peaceful and respectful transition of power at the highest level of government stands as a key to the ongoing survival of a free democracy.
About the Presidential Power to Pardon
Where does the President of the United States get the power to pardon criminals? Are there legal limitations to presidential pardons?
The Next President's Top 10 Challenges
Americans expect every new president to accomplish the same thing: reform the government to make it work better and solve the nation's problems. The plan formulated by new presidents to reform the government so it can make everything better is known as the administration's "management agenda," and it truly represents the most important element of the presidential transition process. So what might be on the management agenda of the next President of the United States?
U.S. Presidential Oath of Office
The oath of office administred to the President of the United States.
The First Presidential Inauguration
The proceedings of the first inauguration of President George Washington on April 30, 1789, as narrated in the Senate Journal.
Executive Order: Protection of Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations
On Oct. 20, 2007, President Bush signed this Executive Order intended to protect stripped bass and red drum. Two of the most popular species sought by recreational fishers, the stripper and red drum have seen their once abundant number dwindle rapidly due to commercial over-fishing.
Mint Survey Shows Most Americans Can't Name Founding Fathers
In conjunction with the release of their $1 coin featuring Thomas Jefferson, a survey commissioned by the U.S. Mint revealed that most Americans are not too knowledgeable on the subject of our nation's Founding Fathers.
Bush Issues Executive Order Promoting Hunting and Wildlife Conservation
On August 16, 2007, President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order intended to expand hunting opportunities on federally-controlled lands to expand and enhance federal wildlife conservation efforts.
Executive Privilege
Executive privilege is the right claimed by Presidents of the Unites States and other officials of the executive branch of government to withhold from Congress, the courts or individuals, information that has been requested or subpoenaed. Executive privilege is also invoked to prevent executive branch employees or officials from testifying in Congressional hearings.
About the Presidential Veto
A presidential veto is the rejection of a bill passed by the majority votes of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While Congress can vote to override a presidential veto, causing the bill to become law without the president's approval, this is rarely done. The threat of presidential veto is often sufficient motivation for Congress to modify the bill prior to its final passage. This article provides a brief overview of the veto and the ways Congress can override it.
Requirements to Become President
So you want to be president? Forget the nerves of steel, the charisma, the skeleton-free closet, the fund-raising network, the thick skin and the legions of loyal folks who agree with your stance on all the issues. Just to get into the game, you have to ask: How old are you and where were you born?
Executive Branch
The executive branch of the United States government consists of the president, the vice president and 15 Cabinet-level executive departments.
The President of the United States
The primary duty of the president of the United States is to make sure that all U.S. laws are carried out and that the federal government is run effectively. Although the president may not introduce new legislation - that's the duty of Congress - he does wield veto power over all bills that are approved by the legislature. In addition, the president has the weighty role of commander in chief of the armed forces.
Presidential Legislative Powers
The President of the United States is commonly referred to as the most powerful person in the free world, but his legislative powers are strictly defined by the Constitution and by a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government.
President Bush's Stem Cell Bill Veto Message 2006
On July 19, 2006, President Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. The bill would have authorized federal support for research using stem cells derived from excess human embryos donated from in vitro fertilization clinics and never implanted in a woman. Congress did not attempt to override the veto. This is the text of the veto message President Bush sent to the House of Representatives.
Bush Calls on Iraq Critics of Offer Their Plan
President Bush made it clear today that had no intention of backing down on his troop buildup plan and accused his congressional critics of failing to suggest their own strategy for the Iraq war. Read the complete text of the President's Jan. 13, 2007 radio address
President Bush Speaks on Working with New Congress
In his nationwide radio address of January 6, 2007, President Bush listed areas in which he felt his administration could work in concert with the 110th -- Democrat-controlled -- U.S. Congress.
President Bush's Message for New Year's Day, 2007
Complete text of President Bush's New Year's Day message for 2007.
President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein
Hours after the Dec. 29, 2006 execution by hanging of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, President Bush issued this brief statement.
How Bush Will Defend His Wiretaps
Shortly after Congress reconvenes on January 3, you will probably begin to hear some political voices calling for the impeachment of President Bush. These voices will contend that President Bush committed an "impeachable offense" when he directed the National Security Agency (NSA) to place and monitor secret wiretaps on individuals, including American citizens, without obtaining court orders. What will his defense be?
Day of Mourning Proclaimed for President Gerald R. Ford
The text of a proclamation issued by President Bush calling for the observance of a National Day of Mourning on January 2, 2007, for the observance of the funeral of Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States.
Bush Orders Government Closure for Ford Funeral
An Executive Order issued by President Bush directing that all federal government "departments, independent establishments, and other governmental agencies" will be closed on January 2, 2007 for the observance of the funeral of Gerald R. Ford, 38th President of the United States: