The Executive Branch Presidential Roles and Qualifications Roles

The Executive Branch Presidential Roles and Qualifications

Roles of the president: • Chief Executive: President’s primary job: “administer the law” – carry out laws. To do this, he heads enormous set of departments/employees. EX: Appoints federal court judges, heads of departments, ambassadors to foreign nations (with consent of Senate • Commander in chief of armed forces- EX: Final military decisions rest solely with the President, as with Harry Truman when he alone ordered atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. • Representative of Nation/Foreign Policy Leader/Chief of State. EX: makes treaties (with advice and consent of Senate) • Chief Agenda Setter and Party Leader- EX: suggests/negotiates legislation and signs or vetoes laws

Term/Salary/Benefits • May serve two four-year terms (if a vice -pres becomes president b/c of the death of a predecessor, this person may serve up to ten years) • Current salary is $400, 000/yr. • Perks- Air Force One for air travel, specially equipped Cadillac limo, live in White House, Camp David • Secret Service Protection

• • Written Qualifications Must be 35 Must be born in U. S. Unwritten Qualifications • 26/43 have been members of the military • all but 5 have served prior elected office (like Senator, Governor, etc).

• Presidential Succession - If the President dies, resigns, is found guilty through impeachment proceeding and told to step down, or is unfit for duty, then there is a predetermined order (succession) of people to replace him. 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President pro tem of Senate 4. Secretary of State 5. other secretaries come after

The Vice President – Vice President “presides” over Senate (reality: Vice President is rarely at Senate) – votes in case of a tie – Often take on duties assigned by President, often represent the nation at ceremonies, meet with other heads-of-state