Roles of the President

Chief Executive Controls a huge executive branch of millions of people, but shares power with Congress Acts as boss of federal government workers in 15 executive departments. The president recruits the best people possible to serve in his cabinet—those people who run the executive agencies of the Federal Government. These departments help the President carry out, enforce, or execute the law. The president chooses cabinet members to advise and assist him. Example: Holding cabinet meetings and appointing federal officials.

Chief of State Acts as example for and symbol of the United States The president engages in diplomacy Represents America at special occasions and ceremonies. Kings and Queens are heads of state. Awarding medals and speechmaking are examples of this role.

CHIEF DIPLOMAT The president acts as the representative of our nation Conducts foreign policy by directing the actions of American ambassadors. Signs treaties and trade agreements with leaders of other nations.

CHIEF AGENDA SETTER Chief Agenda Setter of the U. S. Government President Obama giving the “State of the Union” Address

CHIEF AGENDA SETTER State of the Union Address: A speech that the president gives each January before a joint session of Congress, which sets forth the programs, policies, and legislation that he or she wants Congress to enact. This speech coincides with the submission of the President’s Budget.

CHIEF AGENDA SETTER The president is the chief priority-setter of the United States government—he sets the legislative agenda, often through the submission of the budget each January

CHIEF LEGISLATOR Congress has the power to make laws. President can propose bills and must sign bills into law. He often calls members of Congress to lobby for his agenda. Presents his agenda to Congress in the annual State of the Union address.

CHIEF OF THE PARTY Presidents help members of their party get elected or appointed to office. They make campaign speeches needed for re-election. Head of fund-raising for the party.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF In charge of US Armed Forces. President decides where armed forces are to be stationed, weapons to be used. Secretary of Defense under President. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the top military commander under President.

Commander in Chief With the help of the “football,” the president controls a massive nuclear arsenal With the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commands the U. S. military

Commander in Chief A key part of the president’s job as Commander-in-Chief is crisis management. This photo shows the Kennedy Administration’s meetings during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis

Roles v. Powers Commander-in-Chief Chief Executive Chief Legislator Head of State Chief Diplomat Head of Political Party Judicial Powers Legislative Powers Executive Powers Diplomatic Powers Military Powers

VICE-PRESIDENT John Adams once said, “I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything”. What did he mean by this?

VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Has two formal duties: 1. Preside over the Senate and votes in case of a tie. 2. Help decide if whether the president is disabled and acts as president if that happens.

Overview of the Vice Presidency: The First 150 Years Minimal Constitutional authority Marginalized by the Senate Often perceived by Presidents as rivals

Analyzing the VP’s Role VP’s engagement brings prestige Preparation for the Presidency VP may not have necessary staff VP may not have time Can establish a VP’s reputation, but can also harm it

VP OF THE U.S. Of the thirteen presidential elections from 1956 to 2004, nine featured the incumbent president; the other four (1960, 1968, 1988, 2000) all featured the incumbent Vice President. The first presidential election to include neither the incumbent president nor the incumbent Vice President on a major party ticket since 1952 came in 2008 when President George W. Bush had already served two terms and Vice President Cheney chose not to run.

PERKS VP makes a salary of $227,300 per year. The Vice President does not automatically receive a pension based on that office, but instead receives the same pension as other members of Congress based on his position as president of the Senate. The Vice President must serve a minimum of five years to qualify for a pension. Lives at Number One Observatory Circle on U.S. Naval Observatory in D.C.

VP VACANCY Before the Twenty-fifth Amendment in 1967, no provision existed for filling a vacancy in the office of Vice President. so the Vice Presidency was left vacant 16 times, sometimes for nearly four years. After 25th, only one VP resigned (Agnew – 1973)

First Lady The president’s wife, today Michelle Obama, is called the First Lady of the Land. In recent years, presidents’ wives have taken an active role in politics. One of the most active was Hillary Rodham Clinton.