JOB DESCRIPTION NOT INCLUDED The framers of the Constitution were fed up with kings They didn't want to create a new government with too much power but they also knew a stronger government could help get things done The question was how to check and balance that power History didn't help There was a lack of examples of effective republics from around the world to help them decide how much and what kind of power the leader of their new country should have Since there was no precedent to follow the first president George Washington realized that all of his decisions would define what it means to be the president Ever since different presidents have shaped the presidency in their own way so it can be said that the job description is still evolving even today BY THE NUMBERS Did you know the White House has a dentist a florist shop and a chocolate shop While the most famous house in the country is constantly updating with each new president here are some fast facts ADDRESS 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SIZE 55 000 SQUARE FEET 5 110 SQ M GALLONS OF PAINT TO KEEP IT WHITE FLOORS WINDOWS ROOMS FIREPLACES STAIRCASES ELEVATORS HIDDEN MEZZANINE LEVELS BOMB SHELTERS SECRET TUNNELS
RENOVATION NATION GEORGE WASHINGTON IS THE ONLY PRESIDENT NOT TO LIVE IN THE WHITE HOUSE The White House is pretty iconic but it does get updates every now and then Incoming presidents even get to pick out personal touches for the Oval Office including rugs paint color cur tains statues and pictures The only thing about the Oval Office that doesn't change is the shape Here's a history of some of the more necessary updates to the White House 1801 Indoor bathroom JEFFERSON 1831 Running water JACKSON 1837 Central heat VAN BUREN 1848 Gas lighting POLK 1879 Telephone HAYES 1882 Elevators ARTHUR 1891 Electric lights HARRISON 1922 Radio HARDING 1933 Heated swimming pool FDR 1978 Computers CARTER RESIDENCE PESTILENCE Despite what you've been told Washington D C was not built on a swamp It was built on watery tidal lands by the Potomac River The land was a mixture of forests and water ways All that standing water made a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes Those bloodsucking nuisances not only itched they carried death and disease One doctor even tried to get the capital to put a huge mos quito net around the whole city He failed Now levees help hold back the floodwaters but even today a good rain will flood the side walks by the Jefferson Memorial
JUST FOR FUN WHEN THE PRESIDENT NEEDS TO UNWIND THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS WITH A TENNIS COURT BASKETBALL COURT PUTTING GREEN BOWLING ALLEY JOGGING TRACK SWIMMING POOL AND MOVIE THEATER AT YOUR FINGER TIPS IT D BE HARD TO BE BORED AT THE WHITE HOUSE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT WHAT CAN THE PRESIDENT DO Grant pardons to federal offenders Make treaties that have to be approved by the Senate Appoint judges and ambassadors who have to be approved by the Senate Call Congress into session during extraordinary occasions Enforce laws Veto bills Support legislation Issue executive orders POWERS OF CONGRESS IN RETURN CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO CHECK OR LIMIT THE PRESIDENT S POWER IT CAN Override the president's vetoes with a two thirds majority Reject his appointments Reject his treaties Declare war Impeach the president VETO MEANS I FORBID IN LATIN THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE MAKES LAWS EXECUTIVE CARRIES OUT LAWS JUDICIAL EVALUATES LAWS CONGRESS PRESIDENT SUPREME COURT SENATE VICE PRESIDENT FEDERAL COURTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CABINET
POWERS OF THE SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court can declare acts from the president and Congress unconstitutional but that's not stated in the Constitution It's thanks to a court ruling in 1803 Check out the Thomas Jefferson chapter PICKING UP THE TAB GETTING ELECTED The road to the White House doesn't have a map figuratively speaking at least Anybody who's a natural born citizen is over 35 years of age and is a resident for at least 14 years can become president Presidents have come from rags and riches But here's how the process works on election day The framers of the Constitution weren't too jazzed about the idea of the people directly electing their leader That seemed a little risky So when people go to the polls today they aren't voting for president Not technically They're voting for electors who are pledged to vote for a specific candidate This process is called the electoral college and the electors are the ones who cast a vote for president in December Their votes are based on who their state's citizens voted for in November Sometimes more people vote for a candidate which is called the popular vote but that candidate still doesn't win because he or she didn't get enough electoral votes This has happened five times Each state gets as many electors as they have representatives and senators in Congress Each state always gets two senators and the number of representatives is based on its population There's a total of 538 electors the District of Columbia gets three electors despite MORE having no votes in Congress and the AMENDMENTS candidate who HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO reaches 270 elec REFORM OR KILL THE toral votes wins the White House ELECTORAL COLLEGE THAN ANY OTHER SUBJECT PERSONAL EXPENSES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRESIDENT S JOB DESCRIP TION IF YOU WERE PRESI DENT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THINGS LIKE TOOTHPASTE AND MOUTH WASH YOURSELF
