7 roles of the president

• As head of state the President represents the nation and performs ceremonial duties.

EXAMPLES:1. Serve as host to visiting Kings, Queens,

and heads of governments.2. Throw out first pitch of MLB season.3. Lighting the national Christmas tree.

As chief executive, the president sees that the laws of Congress are carried out.

Tools of Influence for the President to use: Executive Orders- rules that have the

force of law. (Implied Power from the Constitution which states that the President ensures that “laws be faithfully executed”)

Tools of Influence for the President to use: Presidential Appointments- Including

cabinet members, and about 2,200 other top level officials. (Consent of the Senate)

Right to remove officials- This is done if they do not agree with the President. (Nixon fired Sec. of Interior Vietnam)

Impoundment- Pres. Refuses to spend money Congress has appropriated.

Tools of Influence for the President to use: Reprieve- a postponement of legal

punishment. Pardon- a release of legal punishment.

(Usually from federal crimes) Amnesty- is a group pardon to people for

an offense against the Govt. (Ford and Carter granted amnesty to draft dodgers)

The President is expected to propose legislation it wants to see enacted.

How it works: President describes legislative program in

the State of the Union Address. President’s staff writes legislation and

sends it to Congress. President works with Congress to see bills

get through the Congress.

How it works cont. President may hand out Political favors

(visit home state of Congressman, start programs that send money and jobs to districts).

Uses veto power to influence Congress.

As a part of The Employment Act of 1946, it requires that the president submits an annual economic report to Congress.

The Presidents role as economic planner has grown dramatically over the years, the president now spends months with officials deciding what to spend $ on.

The Presidents political party expects him to lead the party in a number of ways.

Examples:1. Give speeches to help in re-elections2. Fund-raising for the party.3. Selects the party’s national chairperson.4. Helps plan the party’s future election strategies.

More Examples:5. Pres. Is expected to appoint members of his party to Govt. jobs.6. Patronage- appointment to political office in reward for supporting the President’s programs.

The President directs the foreign policy of the U.S., making key decisions about the relations the U.S. has with other countries in the world.

Diplomatic Tools President has sole power to negotiate

and sign treaties- formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries.

(Senate must approve)

Diplomatic Tools cont. President also has authority to make

executive agreements with other countries. (These are pacts between the Pres. and the head of a foreign Govt. do not require Senate approval)

The President decides whether the U.S. will recognize governments of other countries. (Georgia, Cuba)

The Constitution makes the president commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States.

Power to Make War President shares with Congress the power

to make war. The President can send troops to battle

without consent of the Congress.

Power to Make War cont. For a war to be officially declared

Congress must approve.Military Operations and Strategy Generals, admirals, and other military

leaders run the armed forces on a day-to-day basis.

President makes key decisions.

Military Operations and Strategy cont. Many Presidents have come from a

military background. Those with little experience use many

advisers. President has the authority to use atomic

weapons. (Nixon Quote) President can take increased powers at

home (WWII)

Military Operations and Strategy cont. President can use military to control

disorders in the nation (Riots, Natural Disasters)

These 7 roles give the president very broad powers.

Today, the president of the United States is the most powerful single individual in the world!