I'm King of the World!

As always, if you want to follow along, the full text of the US Constitution is available here, from the National Archives

A huge part of Article II is hyperlinked in the NARA transcript, which means it was amended later. Which is good, because having the runner-up be Vice President was not the wisest plan the founders ever had. Imagine a Bush/Gore administration. (Also, can I just say that I love that "choose" used to be spelled "chuse"? Because I do, it cracks me up).

So, to be president, you have to be a) at least 35, and b) born in the US (or be a citizen at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, but if people think McCain's old...) The youngest man ever to serve as president was Teddy Roosevelt, who became president at the age of 42, after the death of President McKinely. The youngest man ever elected president was JFK, who was 43 when he took his oath of office. (Fewer than 10 presidents total have been under 50: the aforementioned Roosevelt and Kennedy; Bill Clinton and US Grant were both 46; Grover Cleveland 47; Franklin Pierce 48; James K. Polk and James Garfield both 49. No one under 40 has ever served as president of the USA. I'll stop now before I make a spreadsheet and do graphs and statistical distributions)
There's no other requirement, other than that you have to live here (and have lived here for 14 years). As long as you get enough votes, you can be a Rhodes Scholar or a high-school dropout and serve. Oh, and you have to say this:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." (So, President Bush, how're you at upholding your vows?)

And if you die, your Vice President takes over. If there is no VP, the 25th Amendment kicks in (as fans of The West Wing may recall). Originally, Congress got to decide who took over if the VP wasn't an option, but they decided to formalize it. Good call.

So, now, what is it that the President does, other than kiss babies, host the World Series champs and start stupid wars (or serve hot dogs to the King and Queen of England)? Well, Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces, for one. And he has the power to make treaties, with the consent of the Senate. He also appoints ambassadors, judges and suchlike government officials, again with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. And, "from time to time", he gives the State of the Union address. Sounds like a pretty cushy job, actually. Article II's a lot shorter than Article I, but there are a lot fewer people in the White House than the Capitol, and it's a pretty broad job. And since, the President is both Head of Government and Head of State, there's a lot of ceremonial duties too. (And I'm suddenly seeing a mental replay of the episode where President Bartlett has to practice throwing a ball in his bullet-proof vest.) But I gotta hand it to the founders, it's pretty concise description for such a big job.