The Great American President What you need to know to understand what he does!
You want to be the President… To be a president you must have: –35 years of age –Be a “natural born citizen” –14 years as a resident in the United States Unofficially: –Most presidents are: White Male Over 40 years old RICH A political/law background
Why do we pay him so much? The President serves 8 roles as President »$400,000 per year
Chief of State Ceremonial Head of the Government “the personal embodiment and representative of their dignity and majesty”
Chief Executive Head of the Executive Branch –Vested with all the powers of the executive branch into one person “Most powerful office in the world”
Chief Administrator As leader of the Executive Branch, the Chief Administrator is the head of all jobs employed by the bureaucracy 2.7 million employees –Harry Truman complained that he spent too much time, “flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they were supposed to do anyways.”
Chief Diplomat As the Chief Diplomat, the President of the United States dictates the foreign policy for the United States. –Determines which countries the U.S. interacts with and at what level.
Commander in Chief Commands and leads the 1.4 million troops in the U.S. military “Man on the red button”
Chief Legislator The President sets the agenda for Congress to address. –Determines what issues will be discussed The President also serves to rally and organize Congress when it comes to passing legislation he has put forward.
Chief of Party Unofficial position Leads the political party as the most visible and powerful member
Chief Citizen Unofficial role “representative of all the people” “not merely an administrative office. That is the least of it. It is preeminently a place of moral leadership.”
What does the president do? In 4 years, the President of the United States is supposed to serve as: –Chief of State –Chief Executive –Chief Administrator –Chief Diplomat –Commander in Chief –Chief Legislator –Chief of Party –Chief Citizen