Warm Up: 12/03/13 1.List 3 specified powers of the President. 2.What are the four factors that have enabled the President to expand power informally? 3.What are some legislative limits on the President’s power? 4.Why does public opinion matter to the President?

The Executive Branch: Roles of the President

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Introduction to Roles of the President Notes: The President is not just a figure head, representing the Executive Branch of the federal government. He has many roles that he must fulfill that coincide with his job as the President. The President is not just a figure head, representing the Executive Branch of the federal government. He has many roles that he must fulfill that coincide with his job as the President. 5 of these roles are defined in the Constitution, others have evolved over time. 5 of these roles are defined in the Constitution, others have evolved over time.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Introduction to Roles of the President (cont’d.) Notes: The major roles of the President include: The major roles of the President include: 1.Head of State 2.Chief Executive 3.Commander-in-Chief 4.Chief Diplomat 5.Chief Legislator 6.Politician and Party Leader 7.Economic Leader 8.Moral Leader

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Head of State Notes: The President represents our nation and performs all key ceremonial duties and responsibilities. The President represents our nation and performs all key ceremonial duties and responsibilities. He is the spokesperson for the United States and must carry out the appropriate tasks that this requires. He is the spokesperson for the United States and must carry out the appropriate tasks that this requires.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Executive Notes: The President must ensure that the laws that Congress passes are carried out. The President must ensure that the laws that Congress passes are carried out. To do this, the President oversees all of the executive agencies that are tasked with carrying out laws and federal programs. To do this, the President oversees all of the executive agencies that are tasked with carrying out laws and federal programs. To influence how laws are executed the President may choose to use executive orders (rules that carry the force of law). To influence how laws are executed the President may choose to use executive orders (rules that carry the force of law).

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Executive (cont’d.) Notes: The President also has the power to make presidential appointments to put top level federal officials in office head up agencies designated to carry out laws and federal programs. The President also has the power to make presidential appointments to put top level federal officials in office head up agencies designated to carry out laws and federal programs. The President can also use the process of impoundment (refuses to spend money that Congress has appropriated) in an effort to influence laws passed by Congress. The President can also use the process of impoundment (refuses to spend money that Congress has appropriated) in an effort to influence laws passed by Congress.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Executive (cont’d.) Notes: The role of Chief Executive also gives the President the powers to grant Reprieves (postponing legal punishment) or pardons (a release from punishment) for those he deems necessary. The role of Chief Executive also gives the President the powers to grant Reprieves (postponing legal punishment) or pardons (a release from punishment) for those he deems necessary. The President has to power to grant amnesty (a group pardon to people for an offense against the U.S.). The President has to power to grant amnesty (a group pardon to people for an offense against the U.S.).

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Commander-in- Chief Notes: The President is the official commander of the Armed Forces of the U.S.. The President is the official commander of the Armed Forces of the U.S.. President’s share with Congress the power to make war. Congress has limitedthe President’s power in times of war through the War Powers Act. President’s share with Congress the power to make war. Congress has limitedthe President’s power in times of war through the War Powers Act. Some Presidents will also send troops to an area without officially declaring war. This is usually if they think Congress will not approve of a war. Some Presidents will also send troops to an area without officially declaring war. This is usually if they think Congress will not approve of a war.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Commander-in- Chief (cont’d.) Notes: The President may employ the military to handle disorders, riots, or natural disasters within our nation as well—this is referred to as his enforcement powers. The President may employ the military to handle disorders, riots, or natural disasters within our nation as well—this is referred to as his enforcement powers.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Diplomat Notes: The President is also our primary ambassador to other countries. The President is also our primary ambassador to other countries. With this role comes the power to negotiated treaties and trade agreements. With this role comes the power to negotiated treaties and trade agreements. He may also make executive agreements (pacts between the President and the heads of foreign governments) which are like treaties, but do not require Congressional action. He may also make executive agreements (pacts between the President and the heads of foreign governments) which are like treaties, but do not require Congressional action.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Diplomat (cont’d.) Notes: The President also has the Power of Recognition. This gives the President the power ability and discretion to acknowledge the existence of another government and/or have dealings with that government. The President also has the Power of Recognition. This gives the President the power ability and discretion to acknowledge the existence of another government and/or have dealings with that government.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Legislator Notes: The President has the ability to influence Congress by laying out his Legislative Program or plans that the President would like to see legislatively. This is usually done in the President’s annual “State of the Union Address”. The President has the ability to influence Congress by laying out his Legislative Program or plans that the President would like to see legislatively. This is usually done in the President’s annual “State of the Union Address”.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Chief Legislator (cont’d.) Notes: The President is also given the legislative power of the veto which allows him to reject a bill passed by Congress. The President is also given the legislative power of the veto which allows him to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Political Party Leader Notes: The political party that helps the President get elected has expectations to be repaid once he is in office. The political party that helps the President get elected has expectations to be repaid once he is in office. This repayment is often shown through patronage (appointment to political office) to those who support the president and his party during elections. This allows the political party more influence in government. This repayment is often shown through patronage (appointment to political office) to those who support the president and his party during elections. This allows the political party more influence in government.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Economic Leader Notes: The President (since FDR) has been given increasing amounts of power when it relates to the economy. The President (since FDR) has been given increasing amounts of power when it relates to the economy. He is given the authority to appoint a Council of Economic Advisors that will study the economy and advise the President, who then advises Congress on matters that relate to the economy. He is given the authority to appoint a Council of Economic Advisors that will study the economy and advise the President, who then advises Congress on matters that relate to the economy.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Economic Leader (cont’d.) Notes: This advice comes in the form of an annual economic report that the council helps the President prepare. This advice comes in the form of an annual economic report that the council helps the President prepare. The President is also responsible for preparing the annual federal budget. The President is also responsible for preparing the annual federal budget.

Roles of the President: Main Idea: Moral Leader Notes: It is argued that the President should also serve as a leader of our societies morals. It is argued that the President should also serve as a leader of our societies morals. This is often debated as the political leanings of the President will often dictate what issues he considers “moral”—leaving the other political party in opposition. This is often debated as the political leanings of the President will often dictate what issues he considers “moral”—leaving the other political party in opposition.