Presidential Roles 1 Head Chief of State Constitutional

Presidential Roles

#1 Head (Chief) of State • Constitutional Power • Stands as the symbol of the U. S. ▫ Entertains foreign dignitaries ▫ Presenting awards ▫ Performing rituals Laying wreath on Tomb of Unknown Soldier, lighting National Christmas tree, throwing out first baseball of season ▫ Issuing proclamations and Representing the U. S. at international conferences ▫ Standing for American ideals

Chief of State Examples President Kennedy speaks at Berlin Wall, 1963 President Obama presenting Military Award Queen Elizabeth and President Reagan, 1983

#2 Chief of the Executive • Constitutional Power • In charge of seeing that laws and programs are carried out by supervising the government -Appointing Power, Removal Power, Ordinance Power (Executive Order) -Judicial Power – Reprieves, Pardons, and Amnesty President Clinton with Janet Reno, the first female Attorney General, February, 1993 President Bush holds cabinet meeting in October, 2005

#3 Chief Administrator • Constitutional Power • Director of the Federal Government • President directs an administration that employs more than 2. 7 million civilians President Bush at Ground Zero after 9 -11 Vice-President Johnson sworn in aboard Air Force One after President Kennedy’s assassination, 1963

#4 Chief Diplomat • Constitutional Power • Sets out the country’s policies and practices in regards to other nations • Nation’s Chief Spokesman… • He or his representatives make treaties with foreign nations (with approval from Senate) • Also proposes foreign aid and appoints ambassadors to foreign nations Don’t forget about: Executive Agreements Def: pact between the Pres. and head of a foreign state. Does not require Senate approval

#5 Commander - In - Chief • Constitutional Power • Chief military officer of the United States Armed Forces • Sets the country’s general military policy • CANNOT DECLARE WAR • MAY commit U. S. troops to action in emergency situations President Bush aboard U. S. S. Lincoln, May, 2003 President Johnson decorates a soldier in Vietnam, October, 1966

#6 Chief Legislator • Constitutional Power • CAN’T PASS LAWS ▫ **President suggests, requests, insists, and demands on Congress…CAN influence which bills get passed or rejected by Congress • Signs bills into laws or vetoes them • Meet with individual Representatives and Senators to urge support for or opposition to a particular bill • Make State of Union and other addresses to Congress President Roosevelt signs into law the Social Security Act, 1935 President Obama delivers State of the Union Address, 2014

#7 Party Leader • Extra-Constitutional Power ▫ Not specified in Constitution Added on either through legislation or through historical analysis • Pres. belongs to a political party and speaks for that party ▫ Often helping to raise money for congressional candidates ▫ Leading fund-raiser for the party ▫ Presenting the party’s ideas to the American people President Reagan & Vice-President Bush accepting their party’s nomination in 1980

#8 Economic Planner • Extra-Constitutional • The president is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. • The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly. ▫ Meeting with economic advisers to discuss ways to reduce unemployment ▫ Meeting with business and labor leaders to discuss their needs and problems

Oath of Office • President must swear to support the CONSTITUTION and faithfully carry out the duties of office

Write • Which role of the POTUS is the most important? Why? defend