Chapters 13 & 14: The Presidency

1. Chapters 13 & 14:The Presidency The Many Hats of the President

2. The many hats of the president… • Chief of State • Chief Executive/Chief Administrator • Chief Diplomat • Commander in Chief • Chief Legislator • Chief of Party • Chief Guardian of the Economy • Chief Citizen

3. Chief of State • Ceremonial head of the United States government • Living symbol of our country • President both reigns and rules. • In several countries, the chief of state reigns and represents a country, but does not rule. • Examples: Royal family in England, emperor in Japan • Behaviors in this role: • Greeting visitors to the White House • Awarding medals to recipients of some scholarships

4. Chief Executive • Constitution gives the President the “Executive Power” • President is the boss of millions of government workers in the Executive Branch • Presidency is often described as the “most powerful office in the world” • Power is limited by checks and balances • Behaviors in this role: • Appointing members of his Cabinet • Holding a cabinet meeting to discuss government business

5. Chief Diplomat • Main architect of foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to the rest of the world • Decides what American diplomats and ambassadors should say to foreign government leaders. • Behaviors in this role: • Entertaining foreign heads of state at the White House • Writing a message or letter to leaders of another country • Traveling to another country to meet with its leaders

6. Commander in Chief • Head of the armed forces of the United States • All the men and women in the military are subject to the President’s direct and immediate control • All military generals and admirals take their orders from the President • Behaviors in this role: • Deciding where troops should be stationed • Deciding how weapons should be used • Sending troops to stop a riot

7. Chief Legislator • Main architect of United States public policy • Initiates, suggests, requests, insists, and demands that Congress enact much of its major legislation. • President can also veto bills with which he disagrees. • Behaviors in this role: • Signing a bill into law • Making a speech in Congress

8. Chief of Party • Leader of the political party of which he is a member • President Obama is the current leader of the Democratic Party of the United States. • Behaviors in this role: • Choosing leading party members to serve in the Cabinet • Traveling to speak at a rally for a party nominee • Campaigning for members of his party who have supported his policies

9. Chief Guardian of the Economy • President looks out for the general prosperity of the country • President does not control the economy, but he helps it run smoothly. • Behaviors in this role: • Meeting with economic advisers to discuss ways to reduce unemployment

10. Chief Citizen • Representative of all the people in the United States • Expected to work for and represent the public interest