The Roles of the The Roles of the PresidentPresident

President’s Many Roles

For each section in the octagon, indicate a role of the president and a short description of that role.

Formal Qualifications for the Formal Qualifications for the PresidencyPresidency

Must be at least 35 years of ageMust be at least 35 years of age Must have lived in the US for 14 Must have lived in the US for 14

yearsyears Must be a “natural born” citizenMust be a “natural born” citizen

– ““Birther Issue”Birther Issue”

Presidential TermPresidential Term

Framers were undecided – a single Framers were undecided – a single 7 year term v. a four year term 7 year term v. a four year term with reelection with reelection

4 years = 1 term in office4 years = 1 term in office 2 terms or 10 years2 terms or 10 years

The Two Term PrecedentThe Two Term Precedent

FDR was the only president to win more than FDR was the only president to win more than two terms.two terms.

He led the US through the Depression and WW He led the US through the Depression and WW II.II.

George Washington set the precedent for the George Washington set the precedent for the limit of two terms until the 22nd Amendment limit of two terms until the 22nd Amendment made law in 1951made law in 1951

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)

Role: Chief of StateRole: Chief of State

Acts as example for and symbol of Acts as example for and symbol of the United Statesthe United States

Represents America at special Represents America at special occasions and ceremonies.occasions and ceremonies.

Kings and Queens are heads of state.Kings and Queens are heads of state. Awarding medals and speechmaking Awarding medals and speechmaking

are examples of this role.are examples of this role. ““reigns but does not rule”reigns but does not rule”

Carries out the “executive powers” Carries out the “executive powers” vested in him by the Constitution…vested in him by the Constitution…duhduh

Enforces and administers the Enforces and administers the provisions of federal lawprovisions of federal law

Grants Pardons/AmnestyGrants Pardons/Amnesty Page 393-395Page 393-395

Role: Chief Role: Chief ExecutiveExecutive

Role: Chief Role: Chief AdministratorAdministrator

Acts as boss of federal government workers in Acts as boss of federal government workers in 15 executive departments.15 executive departments.

These departments help the President carry These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law.out, enforce, or execute the law.

The president chooses cabinet members to The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him.advise and assist him.

Example: Holding cabinet meetings and Example: Holding cabinet meetings and appointing federal officials.appointing federal officials.

Appointment Powers – Cabinet, Federal Appointment Powers – Cabinet, Federal Judges, US Supreme CourtJudges, US Supreme Court

The President’s CabinetThe President’s Cabinet

The Chief AdministratorThe Chief Administrator

The Offices of the Executive Branch are found in the White The Offices of the Executive Branch are found in the White House and other federal buildings in Washington D.C.House and other federal buildings in Washington D.C.

Executive DepartmentsDepartment of Agriculture USDA) Department of Commerce (DOC)Department of Defense (DOD)Department of Education (ED)Department of EnergyDOE)Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Department of Justice (DOJ)Department of Labor (DOL)Department of State (DOS)Department of the Interior (DOI)Department of the TreasuryDepartment of Transportation (DOT)Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Role: Chief DiplomatRole: Chief Diplomat Conducts foreign policy by directing Conducts foreign policy by directing

the actions of American ambassadors.the actions of American ambassadors. Signs treaties and trade agreements Signs treaties and trade agreements

with leaders of other nations.with leaders of other nations.

Main Architect of American Foreign Main Architect of American Foreign PolicyPolicy

Nation’s Chief spokesman to the Nation’s Chief spokesman to the rest of the worldrest of the world

Power to Make Treaties or Power to Make Treaties or Executive Agreements Executive Agreements

Power to recognize other NationsPower to recognize other Nations Page 399-401Page 399-401

Role: Chief DiplomatRole: Chief Diplomat

Of the Nations Armed ForcesOf the Nations Armed Forces Head of the Military, Dispatches Head of the Military, Dispatches

troopstroops– Korean WarKorean War– Vietnam WarVietnam War

War Powers Act of 1973War Powers Act of 1973– Congressional ResolutionsCongressional Resolutions

Page 401-403Page 401-403

Role: Commander-In-Role: Commander-In-ChiefChief

In charge of US Armed Forces.In charge of US Armed Forces. President decides where armed President decides where armed

forces are to be stationed, forces are to be stationed, weapons to be used.weapons to be used.

Secretary of Defense under Secretary of Defense under President.President.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the top military commander the top military commander under President.under President.

Role: Commander-In-Role: Commander-In-ChiefChief

Role: Chief LegislatorRole: Chief Legislator

President Reagan before a joint-President Reagan before a joint-session of Congress.session of Congress.

Role: Chief LegislatorRole: Chief Legislator

Congress has the power to make laws.Congress has the power to make laws. President can propose bills and must President can propose bills and must

sign bills into law.sign bills into law. He often calls members of Congress He often calls members of Congress

to lobby for his agenda.to lobby for his agenda. Presents his agenda to Congress in Presents his agenda to Congress in

the annual State of the Union address.the annual State of the Union address.

Role: Chief LegislatorRole: Chief LegislatorMain Architect of Public PolicyMain Architect of Public PolicyHelps to set the Congressional AgendaHelps to set the Congressional AgendaEncourages Congress to enact legislationEncourages Congress to enact legislationOrganizes and Presents his budget to CongressOrganizes and Presents his budget to CongressSigns Legislation into lawSigns Legislation into lawVetoes LegislationVetoes Legislation

–Can be overturned by Congress with 2/3 vote in each ChamberCan be overturned by Congress with 2/3 vote in each Chamber

Page 405-top of 407Page 405-top of 407

Role: Chief of the PartyRole: Chief of the Party

Presidents help members of their Presidents help members of their party get elected or appointed to party get elected or appointed to office.office.

They make campaign speeches They make campaign speeches needed for re-election.needed for re-election.

Head of fund-raising for the party.Head of fund-raising for the party.

Chief CitizenChief Citizen

The representative of the peopleThe representative of the people

MonitorsMonitors– unemployment,unemployment,– Inflation, taxation, business,Inflation, taxation, business,– and general welfare of the nation.and general welfare of the nation.– He does not control the economy, but He does not control the economy, but

he gets credit if it goes well.he gets credit if it goes well.

Chief Guardian of the Chief Guardian of the EconomyEconomy

The PresidencyThe Presidency

Why do you think it is the most visible Why do you think it is the most visible part of the American political system?part of the American political system?

Does the President really serve the Does the President really serve the needs of the American people?needs of the American people?

How does the office of the Presidency How does the office of the Presidency actually help the American people?actually help the American people?

How can one man fulfill all these dutiesHow can one man fulfill all these duties

Running the Government: Running the Government: Chief ExecutiveChief Executive

Vice President

Cabinet

Executive Office

White House Staff

First Lady

12.3

Vice PresidentVice President

Mainly ceremonial in previous yearsMainly ceremonial in previous years

Increasing role in modern presidencyIncreasing role in modern presidency CheneyCheney BidenBiden

12.3

CabinetCabinet

Traditional, not mandatedTraditional, not mandated

Heads of federal agencies and executive Heads of federal agencies and executive

departmentsdepartments

12.3

TABLE 12.4: Cabinet Departments 12.3

Executive OfficeExecutive Office

National Security Council (NSC)National Security Council (NSC)

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

12.3

FIGURE 12.1: Executive Office of the President

12.3

White House StaffWhite House Staff

President’s personal support team President’s personal support team Chief of staffChief of staff Press secretaryPress secretary Anonymous and loyalAnonymous and loyal

President sets style and tonePresident sets style and tone

12.3

Principal Offices in the White House 12.3

Explore the Simulation: Explore the Simulation: You Are a First-Term You Are a First-Term PresidentPresident

12.2

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=8