The Roles of the PresidentThe Roles of the Presidentof the of the

United StatesUnited States7-27-2

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities

What kinds of “hats” does the What kinds of “hats” does the president already wear?president already wear?

He’s a father.He’s a father.

He’s a husband.He’s a husband.

He’s a son.He’s a son.

He’s someone’s friend.He’s someone’s friend.

He’s an attorney.He’s an attorney.

All of these roles require certain All of these roles require certain responsibilities that he has to fulfill.responsibilities that he has to fulfill.

These are his “hats” or roles in his These are his “hats” or roles in his everyday life.everyday life.

But, the U.S. Constitution lists his presidential “hats” or roles.

Article II of the Article II of the United States Constitution United States Constitution

gives the President the gives the President the power to…power to…

1.1. Veto, or reject, bills passed in CongressVeto, or reject, bills passed in Congress2.2. Call Congress into special sessionCall Congress into special session3.3. Serve as commander in chief of the armed forcesServe as commander in chief of the armed forces4.4. Receive leaders and other officials of foreign countriesReceive leaders and other officials of foreign countries5.5. Make treaties (with Senate approval)Make treaties (with Senate approval)6.6. Appoint (choose) ppl in charge of executive agencies, Appoint (choose) ppl in charge of executive agencies,

federal judges, and other jobsfederal judges, and other jobs7.7. Pardon or reduce the penalties against ppl convicted of Pardon or reduce the penalties against ppl convicted of

federal crimesfederal crimes

Chief ExecutiveChief Executive

in charge of in charge of 15 cabinet15 cabinet departments & appoints the departments & appoints the leaders of those departments leaders of those departments

appoint judges to the Supreme Courtappoint judges to the Supreme Court

issue executive ordersissue executive orders

grants pardons, issues reprieves, grants amnesty grants pardons, issues reprieves, grants amnesty

Commander in ChiefCommander in Chief

in charge of the Army, Navy, Air Force, in charge of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast GuardMarines, and Coast Guard

orders American soldiers into battleorders American soldiers into battle

Legislative LeaderLegislative Leader

send bills to Congress from the Executive send bills to Congress from the Executive BranchBranch

makes speeches to gain support for his makes speeches to gain support for his bills & meets with senators/representatives bills & meets with senators/representatives to persuade them to vote for his billsto persuade them to vote for his bills

has veto power has veto power

Head of StateHead of Stategreets kings, queens, prime ministers, and greets kings, queens, prime ministers, and other foreign leaders who are visiting the United other foreign leaders who are visiting the United States.States.

performs ceremonial functions for Americansperforms ceremonial functions for Americans

Economic LeaderEconomic Leader

make decisions to help the economy make decisions to help the economy prosper and do wellprosper and do well

plan the budget for the federal governmentplan the budget for the federal government

Party LeaderParty Leader

helps get other party members elected to helps get other party members elected to officeoffice

helps the party raise moneyhelps the party raise money

Chief DiplomatChief Diplomatdirects foreign policy & makes decisions directs foreign policy & makes decisions about how the U.S. will act towards other about how the U.S. will act towards other countriescountries

makes treaties with other countries makes treaties with other countries

State of the Union AddressState of the Union AddressI’m giving you an expanded answer to question #8. I’m giving you an expanded answer to question #8.

Add this to your paper.Add this to your paper.

This is a speech given by the President every year in This is a speech given by the President every year in January. He is speaking to members of Congress, but January. He is speaking to members of Congress, but the State of the Union Address is also televised so the State of the Union Address is also televised so that the citizens can hear it.that the citizens can hear it.

In this speech, the president is giving us an “update” In this speech, the president is giving us an “update” on the major issues facing the United States.on the major issues facing the United States.

For the past several years, presidents have spoken For the past several years, presidents have spoken about about

the war in Iraq, the war in Iraq, the healthcare system, the healthcare system, jobs & unemployment, jobs & unemployment, and the economy.and the economy.

Question #10 vocabularyQuestion #10 vocabulary(We will discuss together.)(We will discuss together.)

Executive orders Executive orders

Pardons Pardons

Reprieves Reprieves

AmnestyAmnesty

Now, answer #11.Now, answer #11.

Using chart # 9, which of the president’s Using chart # 9, which of the president’s roles is most important. Explain your roles is most important. Explain your answer in 4-5 sentences.answer in 4-5 sentences.