Roles & Qualifications of the POTUS Different ‘Hats’ of the ‘POTUS’ Roles & Qualifications of the POTUS

Different ‘Hats’ of the ‘POTUS’ Roles & Qualifications of the POTUS The powers of the Presidency are not very well-defined in Article II. The power of the Presidency has grown in size and scope significantly throughout our history.

I. The President’s Roles Chief of State: symbolic head of the US government Key Spokesperson especially in times of crises and celebration Ex. Delivering a “Patriotic” speech; honoring someone In many countries the chief of state/symbolic leader does not rule…Queen Elizabeth II https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIA0W69U2_Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjGcCI9ByWw

I. The President’s Roles Chief Executive: has the powers (often very broad) given him/her by the Constitution to enforce/execute the law Examples: Executive Orders, Cabinet Meetings, Appoint Cabinet positions

I. The President’s Roles Chief Administrator: “Manager” of the federal government Ex. Proposing a Federal Budget

I. The President’s Roles Chief Diplomat: main architect of US Foreign Policy and spokesperson to the rest of the world Examples: Reagan and the Cold War – “evil empire;” Bush Doctrine and the War on terror – “You’re either with us or against us” and allowed for Pre-emptive Strikes

I. The President’s Roles Commander in Chief: control over the nation’s Armed Forces Ex.: President Obama asked Congress to authorize military action against ISIS

I. The President’s Roles Chief Legislator: main architect of the nation’s public policies; President often sets the agenda for Congress (ideas for bills usually come from the President); Veto or sign legislation Examples: Great Society (LBJ) New Deal (FDR) Obamacare (Obama)

I. The President’s Roles ***The above 6 are derived directly from the Constitution…the next two roles evolved over time Chief of Party: leader of the political party that controls the executive branch Chief of Citizen: “the representative of all people;” “a place of moral leadership (according to FDR);” “the representative of the public against many private interests.”

II. Formal Qualifications Must be a Natural Born Citizen of the US Martin Van Buren (8th) first US President to have been born American Chester Arthur – Canadian??? 35 years of age Youngest elected president JFK Youngest to become president Teddy Roosevelt 14 years a resident within the US

III. The President’s Term 4 year term 22nd Amendment limits a president to 2 terms (9.99 years total)

IV. Pay and Benefits 1789 = 25,000 year; Today = $400,000 Who sets the figure? Congress Presidential Salary over the years 1789 = $25,000 ($673,000) 1873 = $50,000 1909 = $75,000 1949 = $100,000 ($1.9 million) 1969 = $200,000 2001 = $400,000 VP = $230,700

IV. Pay and Benefits $50,000 “expense allowance” Live in the White House – 132 rooms; 18.2 acres Air Force One (unless you’re Trump…), the finest health care available, etc.