Ch. 9.2 ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT Objective; describe the roles of the president.

The president has seven key duties. Head of state Chief executive Chief legislator Chief diplomat Commander in chief These are based on the Constitution. The roles of economic planner and political party leader have developed over time

To do this, the president uses the following tools: Head of State - As head of state, the president represents the nation and performs ceremonial roles. For example, the president serves as hosts to kings and queens, gives awards and medals, and throws out the first ball to begin the major league baseball season. As a symbol of the nation, the president is not just an individual leader but the collective image of the United States. As Chief executive, the president sees that the laws of Congress are carried out. To do this, the president uses the following tools: A. Presidents issue executive orders—rules with the force of law , to spell out the details of policies and programs Congress B. Presidents appoint top-level federal officials who share their political beliefs. C. Presidents have the right to remove officials they have appointed.

F. Presidents can grant reprieves and pardons for federal crimes. D. Presidents can refuse to spend the money Congress has appropriated for it. This process is called impoundment. E. Presidents appoint federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, with Senate approval. . F. Presidents can grant reprieves and pardons for federal crimes. G. Presidents may also grant amnesty. Amnesty is a group pardon. For example, Presidents Ford and Carter granted amnesty to men who fled the draft during the Vietnam War.

Chief Legislator Usually the president describes the laws he wants in the annual State of the Union message to Congress. It calls attention to the president’s ideas about how to handle important problems facing the nation. The president influences Congress in the following ways: A. Presidents often meets with members of Congress to hear their views. B. A president may hand out political favors to get congressional support. For example, the president may visit the home state of a senator or representative at reelection time. C. A president may use the threat of a veto to force Congress to stop a bill or change it to fit the

Economic Planner Party Leader The Employment Act of 1946 directed the president to submit an annual economic report to Congress. The law created the Council of Economic Advisers to help the president prepare the report. The law also declared that the government is responsible for promoting high employment, production, and purchasing power. The president prepares the federal budget each year. The size of the budget and decisions about how government money is spent affect the economy. Party Leader The party expects the president to be a party leader. This means giving speeches or attending fund raisers to help party members running for office.

Chief Diplomat Pres. makes key decisions about the relations the U.S. has with other countries. As chief diplomat, the president has sole power to make treaties. However, the Senate must approve all treaties before they can go into effect. The president can also make executive agreements

Commander in Chief The president shares with Congress the power to make war. The president is responsible for important military decisions. One of these decisions is whether to use atomic weapons. The president may also act at home to support the war effort. For example, Franklin Roosevelt demanded price controls and food and gas rationing for Americans during World War II. The president can also use federal troops to put down rioting in American cities or to keep order in case of a natural disaster.