Powers and Roles of the President

1. Powers and Roles of the President

2. INTRODUCTION- Executive Branch (Art. 2) Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Presidency of the United States? List the FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS of the Presidency of the United States. How many terms can a president serve? How long is a term? What Amendment to the Constitution gives a term limit to the Presidency? List the top three people in line of succession to the Presidency. What is Cabinet?

3. Chief of State • Represents the nation to the rest of the world and engages in a number of activities that are symbolic or ceremonial. • EXAMPLE: • Throwing out the first pitch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-ftnSTu-CM • Turning on the lights on the national Christmas tree • Dedicating parks and post offices • Launching charity drives • Making personal phone calls to congratulate heroes and heroines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esz-lRepyH8

4. Chief Executive • Enforce the acts of Congress, the decisions of the federal courts, and treaties the United States has signed. (taxes, civil rights, Social Security, immigration, environmental welfare, interstate commerce) ‘The Little Rock 9’ (1:54) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGjNqrQBUno

5. Chief Executive • The Powers of Appointment and Removal: • Appointment: With Consent of Senate, the President appoints officers of the national government http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s-KiGVnWMk&feature=related • Examples: ambassadors, cabinet members, heads of independent agencies, federal judges, attorneys, justices of Supreme Court • Removal: Constitution does not specify conditions; assumed power; President can remove any head of a cabinet department and any individual in the Executive Office

6. Chief Executive • Reprieves, Pardons, and Amnesty: Has the power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States • Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford Reprieve: a postponement of legal punishment • Pardon: a “pass” after a verdict has been issued • Amnesty: a “pass” before a trial; does not have to go to court

7. Commander in Chief • War Powers: Divided between Congress and President • Lead armed forces as Commander in Chief • Decision of if and when to use nuclear weapons • The War Powers Resolution: • May respond to military threat without waiting for congressional action • Congress must authorize troops abroad if over 60 days

8. Commander in Chief • Other War Powers: • Can make secret agreements with other countries • Set up military governments in conquered lands • May end fighting by calling an armistice (temporary end to battle) • Emergency Powers: • Deal with national emergencies during peacetime • (Natural Disasters, Major Violent Episodes) • Hurricane Katrina ; Sandy Hook shooting • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wamAkUzYIKo

9. Chief Diplomat(a person who represents one country and deals with representatives of other countries) • The President directs the foreign policy of the United States and is the most important representative of the United States in relations with other nations • Proposal and Ratification of Peace Treaties: • treaty: a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states • Sole power to negotiate and sign treaties with other countries. • Role of the Senate- advice and consent

10. Chief Diplomat • The Power to Make Executive Agreements: • executive agreements: pacts between the president and other heads of state • Role of the Senate: advice and consent • Power of Recognition: • Definition: The President has the power to accept the legal existence of another country’s government. • Recognition of another country’s government is required before negotiations or diplomatic relations can be undertaken • Example: By receiving a foreign diplomat from that country or by sending an ambassador

11. Chief Legislator • Legislative Programs: • State of the Union: outlines legislative programs and urge their passage • Suggested Budget-the amount of funds the government will need for programs • Works closely with members of Congress to gain support for programs • Veto Power: • Allows the President to act as a check on Congress • Special Sessions: • Only the President has power to call special sessions of Congress • How often are they needed? Why?

12. Chief Guardian of the Economy • Major Duties / Natural Obligations: • Lower unemployment • Fight inflation • Keep taxes down • Promote economic growth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4nUDlyjUU

13. Chief Citizen and Moral Leader • "The presidency is not merely an administrative office. It is also a place of moral leadership." –FDR • The question of a president's moral leadership has assumed new importance in recent years as the media and public have given the private lives of the elected officials closer scrutiny. The "character issue" is frequently included in public opinion polls on a president's performance. • Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zemrWBIc_hE

14. The Media Obligations • State of the Union Address: • The address fulfills rules requiring the President to periodically (typically annually) give Congress information on the "State of the Union" and recommend any measures that he believes is necessary and expedient. • The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows presidents to outline their legislative agenda (for which they need the cooperation of Congress) and their national priorities.

15. The Media Obligations • Inaugural Address: • A speech given during a formal, publicized ceremony to mark the beginning of a major public leader's term of office. This speech informs the people of the President’s intentions as a leader. • In recent history, presidential inaugurations often feature lavish ceremonies, in which the president publicly takes his or her oath of office in front of a large crowd of spectators.