2. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
Article 2, section 2, clause 1 of the constitution makes the
president Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
This gives the president supreme authority over the military
in choosing where to send troops as well as assigning the
commanders and firing them.
Even though the president is in charge of the armed forces,
Congress is the only branch with the power to declare war
on a foreign nation.
3. PRESIDENTIAL USES OF THIS POWER
Some presidents choose to be involved very closely
with the military, helping to choose tactics and staying
in close touch with the commanders.
Some examples of these types are Abraham Lincoln
and Lyndon B. Johnson, who were very involved in
the tactics and day-to-day operations of the armed
forces.
Others, however, choose to remain distant, allowing
those they appoint to make decisions and
concentrating their power elsewhere.
An example of this is Woodrow Wilson during Word
War 1, who did not get involved in the actual war very
much.
4. HOW IT IS USED
Presidents have
found various uses
of their power over
the armed forces.
Some choose to use it
domestically like George
Washington during the Whiskey Rebellion or how
Andrew Jackson threatened to use it when South
Carolina threatened to secede.
Others use it abroad as is demonstrated in wares like
World War II and Vietnam.
5. CURRENT EVENT
http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/03/u-s-likely-to-keep-
thousands-of-troops-in-afghanistan-after-nato-forces-
leave/?iref=allsearch
The link above leads to an article which talks about the amount of
troops that will remain in Afghanistan after 2014.
Although it talks about the Commander making plans for a certain
amount, the decision ultimately rests on the President’s shoulders
alone.
It is up to the president how much he wants to take his
commanders’ opinions on certain matters.
6. CHIEF OF THE PARTY
As Chief of the party, the president is
expected to make any necessary actions in
order to endorse and properly represent his
party.
7. CHIEF OF THE PARTY
The Chief of the Party aids his party members
get elected, (i.e. rallying for a part nominee to
be elected into the United States Senate).
The Chief of the Party is also the head of
fundraising for that particular party.
The Chief of the Party is expected to represent
and provide leadership in the political party as a
whole, and support their party’s agenda.
The Chief of the Party also stays informed of
their nation, especially their reactions to party
endorsed programs.
8. EXAMPLES
One example of President Richard Nixon acting as
the Chief of the Party was when he appointed
Republican Arlin M. Adams as a federal judge to the
United States Court of Appeals. This action was
President Nixon, as the Chief of Party, endorsing a
fellow party member and appointing him to a certain
office, the Federal Court.
Another example of a President acting as the Chief of
the Party would be President Barrack Obama
appointing fellow Democrat Thomas J Vilisak to be
the Secretary of agriculture. Once again, this is the
President, as Chief of the Party, appointing a member
of his own party to office.
10. THE CHIEF OF STATE DEFINED
This role is an informal role of the President
As Chief of State, the President is expected to:
Represent the interests and ideals of the nation
international
Maintain a public persona domestically
Perform symbolic functions on behalf of the nation,
such as awarding scholarships
This is the “celebrity” role of the President, and
of fulfilling this role is the most likely time for the
President to be criticized for having too much
power or not doing enough.
11. EXAMPLES FROM HISTORY
While the President can do many things to fulfill
the Chief of State role, some Presidents
establish traditions which their predecessors all
follow. Here are two examples of such
instances.
In 1910, Howard Taft through the symbolic
first pitch on Opening Day for the MLB. Every
President since Taft has thrown the opening
pitch for some major symbolic game, with the
exception of Jimmy Carter.
In 1947, President Truman received the first
live presidential Thanksgiving Turkey. Every
President since has received a Turkey, but in
1989 George H.W. Bush became the first
President to “pardon” the turkey. Every
President since has done so, and the
pardoned turkeys are sent to a special farm to
live until they die of natural causes.
12. THE MODERN CHIEF OF STATE
President Obama has had many opportunities
to fill the role of Chief of State. In addition to
the usual traditions and events such as
scholarship presentation or greeting foreign
leaders, Obama has notably fulfilled
his role by visiting the
damage caused by
Hurricane Sandy.
14. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The President is like the CEO of America
He or She must come up with an agenda, and carry it
out with the resources available
The President has to work with Congress in order to
carry out their agenda
In order to receive the necessary resources, they
must compromise on issues
However, the President has some help on running the
country, from the Cabinet.
The Cabinet is made up of the heads of various
government agencies (ex. Departments of Defense,
State, Treasury, etc..)
15. One of the most important and often underrated responsibilities of the
President is the Chief Diplomat of the United states of America
CHIEF DIPLOMAT
16. FOREIGN RELATIONS AND THE CONSTITUTION
As he is given this responsibility
in the constitution, he is able
to Negotiate treaties and,
with congress's approval,
enter into those negotiated
treaties. He is also granted
the informal power of
entering into less heavily
legislated executive
agreements, in which he can
"promise" or "agree to"
certain means of conduct of
the American government
and other conditions in an
attempt to influence foreign
affairs in a more immediate
and less formal manner.
17. FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MILITARY
Perhaps the most influential
position held by the president is
that of Commander in Chief of
the United States Army and
Navy. As a part of this, he is also
responsible for protecting
American citizens when they
travel abroad, and this is an
essential part of his
responsibilities as the Chief
Diplomat of the United States.
He is also responsible for
directing the American armed
forces abroad, and because of
this power he can both use the
army and navy to protect
America's allies and alienate
America's foes abroad.
18. CHIEF LEGISLATOR
Definition: the role of the president in
influencing the making of laws
Presidents now compete with Congress in
setting and enacting the country’s legislative
agenda
Important to keep in mind:
1) Congress has actual power to make laws
2) Constitution gives the president power to
influence Congress in its lawmaking through
*urging Congress to pass new laws
*veto bills that they do not favor
19. ENUMERATED POWERS IN CONSTITUTION
Article 1 Section 7
1. Every bill passed by House and
Senate will be presented to
president before it becomes law
A) if approved shall be signed
B) if not, returned with objections
2. President has power to veto a bill
before it becomes law
A) overridden by 2/3 vote in both
houses of Congress
20. SHAPING LEGISLATION
The President can take an indirect role in
shaping legislation, especially if the
president’s political party has a majority in
one or both houses
Ex: president may draft legislation and then
ask senators/reps to introduce them into
Congress
Ex: make a State of Union
address/Constitutionally mandated, periodic
report to Congress (written/oral) to outline
legislative proposals for coming yr
21. HISTORY
Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt-drew upon powers
in times of national crisis to increase influence
over Congress and executive branch
20th Century
*nation amidst 2 world wars, major depression
and cold war-presidents increased their
powers and influence @ cost of Congress
*Institutional Presidency has grown-White House
Office has surrounded presidents in lawyers to
enhance power and influence
22. CHIEF GUARDIAN OF THE ECONOMY
Make sure the federal government’s budget is as
profitable as possible by:
1. Creating jobs, training people for jobs, and providing
them with necessary skills
2. Asking Congress to raise or lower federal taxes
Monitors
*unemployment
*high prices
*taxes
*businesses profits
*general prosperity of country
23. BEHAVIORS
President does not control economy but is
expected to help it run smoothly
Expected to:
1) Meet with economic advisors to discuss
ways to reduce unemployment
2) Meet with business and labor leaders to
discuss their needs and problems
3) Create economic plan to ensure jobs and
work with Congress on fair tax plans for the
American people
24. EMPLOYMENT ACT
Requires president to submit annual economic
report
Created Council of Economic Advisors to
advise president on economic matters
*serves as basis for president’s annual
economic report
Requires government
to promote economic
development
25. RESPONSIBILITIES-DEPARTMENT OF
TREASURY
*forefront of President’s efforts to promote the economic
prosperity, fiscal stability, and financial security of the US
*responsible for promoting economic prosperity and
ensuring the soundness and security of US financial
systems
*operates and maintains systems critical to the nation's
financial infrastructure such as:
1) production of coin and currency
2) disbursement of payments to the American public
3) collection of taxes
4) borrowing of funds necessary to run the federal
government
*works to raise standards of living and predict/prevent
economic and financial crises
*implements economic sanctions against foreign threats to