The Roles of the American President

Objectives and State Standard

• I can identify the roles of the American President. (7.5.spi . 2)

Focus Question : What qualities should a President possess?

President’s Roles

• 1)Chief Diplomat: foreign relations with other countries. This would include: trade talks, welcoming leaders of others countries, traveling to other countries, conflicts, battles, and/or wars, peace missions, etc.

President’s Roles

2) Chief of State- This role requires a president to be an inspiring example for the American people. In some nations, the chief of state is a king or a queen who wears a crown on special occasions, celebrates national holidays, and stands for the highest values and ideals of the country. As the American Chief of State, the president is a living symbol of the nation. It is considered a great honor for any citizen to shake the president's hand.

President’s Roles

3) Chief of Party-In this role, the president helps members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The president campaigns for those members who have supported his policies. At the end of a term the president may campaign for reelection.

President’s Roles

• 4) Commander in Chief-the President is in charge of all armed services. They can not declare war without Congressional approval. Patience anyone?

President’s Roles

• 5) Chief Economic Planner-this role allows the President to have a say in raising taxes, cutting taxes, and interest rates. This role, however, is very limited.

“I think this budget issue ought to become front and center in the presidential election, in all the debates, in very specific ways,” Clinton said.

President’s Role

• 6) Chief Legislator-Only Congress has the actual power to make laws. But the Constitution gives the president power to influence Congress in its lawmaking. Presidents may urge Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that they do not favor. Can’t make laws!

President’s Roles

• 7) Chief Executive-The president is "boss" for millions of government workers in the Executive Branch, deciding how the laws of the United States are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch. Also, they make sure laws are carried out.

Checks for Understanding

1. Who is the President of the United States?

2. Which of the 7 roles of a President, do you think would be the most challenging?

Presidents of the United States

Roles of the President

• http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=2173

Presidential Limits

• Have to be a natural born citizen • At least 35 years of age • Can serve only 2 terms/10 years max • power is limited by the Congress (legislative) and

Supreme Court (judicial)• does not have ultimate power• Extremely stressful and always under the watch of

millions of Americans

With all the stress, what do I get?

Benefits of being President

• Salary 400,000 yearly for the rest of their life• live in the White House for free • own personal chef for free • clothing allowance of 200,000 plus yearly while in office • Secret Service while in office and 10 years after leaving

office

Benefits of being President

• Health Care for life• vacation at Camp David • ride in Air Force One, Armored Cadillac limo, Helicopter

Marine One

White House

Air Force One

Marine One

President’s Armored Limo

Vacation at Camp David

Make sure to complete your 2 sentence summary for What We Learned Today. Study Guide DUE TOMORROW!

1st President of the United StatesGeorge Washington Key General in American Revolution Father of the United States

Thomas JeffersonLouisiana Purchase (Western U.S. 15 million at 3 cents an acre in 1803) University of Virginia Pushed for education for everyone (public education)

Andrew JacksonFounded the Democratic Party

Abe Lincoln President During Civil WarGettysburg Address Founder of the Republic Party

Theodore RooseveltRough RidersSet aside National Parks

FDRFranklin Delano Roosevelt Great Depression (created Social Security and TVA)Only President to serve 4 terms

Harry S. Truman President During WWII and Korean War

The Buck Stops Here • U.S. president Harry S.

Truman had a sign with this inscription on his desk. This was meant to indicate that he didn't 'pass the buck' to anyone else but accepted personal responsibility for the way the country was governed.

Achievements

• Ordered use of the Atomic Bomb

• He used executive orders to end racial discrimination

• Containment of Communism

John Fitzgerald Kennedy(JFK)Cuban Missile Crisis Responsible for NASA

• “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. ”

• Big leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

• Kennedy assassination is one of the biggest debates.

Richard NixonOpen trade with China Watergate Only President to Resign

Ronald Reaganends the Cold War

Bill ClintonNAFTA and Internet Age

George W. BushPresident during 9/11

Current President of the U.SBarack Obama.

Checks for Understanding

• 1) Name 1 qualification a candidate for President has to have before running for President.

• 2) What benefit do you think would be the best a President receives?