1. The Job of the President

2. The Job of the President
Presidential thoughts:
“Frankly, being President is rather unattractive business unless one relishes the exercise of power. That is a thing that never greatly appealed to me.”- Warren G Harding

3. The Job of the President
President is the most powerful public official in the United States.
The Constitution is the basis of presidential power under Article II
The President’s job is to execute or carry out the laws passed by Congress.

4. The Constitutional Powers
To veto or reject bills.
Call Congress into special session.
Be Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
Receive leaders of foreign countries
With Senate approval, make treaties with foreign countries.

5. The Constitutional Powers
6. Appoint heads of executive agencies with Senate approval. 7. Appoint federal judges with Senate approval. 8. Appoint ambassadors with Senate approval.

6. The Constitutional Powers
9. Appoint top government officials also with senate approval. 10. Pardon or reduce penalties against people convicted of federal crimes.

7. The Constitutional Powers
The Constitution requires the President to give Congress information about the “State of the Union”. In this speech the President lays out the most important issues facing the country.

8. The Role of the President
Some of the Roles come from the Constitution directly.
Other roles are not specified within the Constitution.

9. The Role of Chief Executive
Most important role is to carry out the laws passed by Congress.
To do this he has 14 cabinet departments and about 4,000,000 people to carry out the law.

10. The Role of Chief Executive
An important power to carry out is the President’s power to Issue executive orders.
Executive orders have the force of law. These orders are not passed by Congress.

11. The Role of Chief Executive
The Constitution gives the power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court with Senate approval.
The Constitution gives the power to grant pardons, Grant reprieves, and grant amnesty.

12. The Role of Chief Diplomat
The President directs the foreign policy of the U.S. making decisions on how we as a country act towards foreign countries.

13. The Role of Commander in Chief
As Commander in Chief of the armed forces allows the President to back up foreign policy with force if necessary upon Congressional approval.
Congress and the President share the power to declare war.

14. The Role of Commander in Chief
Congress has declared war only 8 times:
War of 1812
War with Mexico 1836
Spanish Amer. War 1898
World War I 1917
World War II 1941
The Gulf War 1991
War in Iraq 2003
War in Afghanistan 2001

15. The Role of Commander in Chief
Presidents have sent American forces into action more than 150 times, creating Constitutional issues.
1973 the War Powers Act was passed making it the law that the President must notify Congress within 48 hours if troops are to be sent into battle. These troops must be brought home within 60 days unless Congress gives its approval to stay longer.

16. The Role of Legislative Leader
Most bills Congress considers comes from the executive branch.
Only members of Congress can introduce bills.
All presidents have legislative programs

17. The Role of Legislative Leader
Presidents will make speeches to build support for legislation.
The President may appoint staff to work with Congress on legislation.

18. The Role of Head of State
In this role the President pursues diplomacy through greeting and entertaining kings, queens and other heads states.
President may also perform ceremonial functions also.

19. The Role of Economic Leader
Presidents are suppose to try help the country to economically prosper.
Voters expect the president to deal with unemployment, inflation, and high taxes.
The President is responsible for planning the federal budget.

20. The Role of Party Leader
The President is regarded as the leader of his political party.
Members of the party work hard to elect the President.
In turn the President will give speeches in support of party members and their elections.