Thinking About the Presidency

For Monday, read Edwards ch. 1-2 (not very long)

The American system is not the norm.

• Head of Government and Head of State
• Cabinets

The executive is different from the legislative branch: 

• 1 v 535
• Importance of history
• The War Power

The president has a totally unchecked power to start a nuclear war.  The process exists to authenticate the president's commands, not to challenge them.

• The football

Do not count on being able to shoot down an incoming ICBM