1. Presidential Roles

2. #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

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

4. #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

5. #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

6. #4 Chief Diplomat Don’t forget about: Executive Agreements
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

7. #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

8. #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

9. #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

10. #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

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

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