1. Wednesday, March 8th Please have your Ch. 13 review ready to grade
Notes today: The Roles of the President
HW: Read Chapter 14; complete review (p.410, 13-29) – due Friday

2. Review!
What is one of the three Constitutional qualifications to become the President of the United States?
What do we call the indirect system used to elect our President?
How many total electors do we have? Where does that number come from?
How many votes does one have to get in order to be elected President?
How long is a presidential term? How many can they serve?
Where does the President live and work?
What Constitutional qualifications are needed to become the Vice President?
Who follows in order of succession if the President dies or becomes incapacitated? (_________, ________, __________)

3. “The Role of the President”

4. Constitutional Government
In the United States, we have a constitutional government. This is a government that is based on the written plan of government that is stated in the constitution.
Where in the Constitution can we find out about the roles and powers of President of the US?
The President is the most powerful public official in the United States.
Article II

5. Role of the President
The Constitution tell us that his/her main task is to “execute” or carry out laws that are passed by Congress.
The president has several jobs to fulfill.
If at any time, the President (or other government official) commits a crime or some unlawful activity – it is the power of Congress to impeach that official – accusing them of misconduct in office.

6. Presidential Powers The Constitution lists certain powers that are set aside for the President (expressed powers) in Article II due to separation of powers.
“Veto”, or reject, bills passed by Congress.
Call Congress into special session.
Serve as “commander-in-chief” of the armed forces.
Receive/make agreements with foreign leaders or dignitaries. (With Senate Approval)
Make treaties with other nations (With Senate Approval)
Appoint heads of executive agencies (With senate approval)
Pardon, forgive or reduce the penalties against people convicted of federal crimes.
Required to give ‘State of the Union’ Address to Congress

7. “State of the Union”
The “State of the Union” address is the President’s way of keeping the Congress informed about the nation and government.
This “informing” is required by the Constitution
All major members of the US Government are invited to attend the SOTU except one…
January 12 – President Obama’s Final State of the Union Address

8. Roles of the President
The President takes on many roles when they become the leader of the United States.

9. Role #1: Chief Executive
This is the President’s most important job. As Chief Executive the President must carry out laws that are passed by Congress.
The President’s “Cabinet” was created to help the president with this task.
Cabinet = VP and 15 Dept Heads

10. Role #1: Chief Executive
As Chief Executive the President can issue an “executive order”, or a rule or command that has the force of law.
In 1948, President Truman issued an order to integrate the U.S. Armed Forces.

11. Executive Orders
Executive Order #9066 was issued by President F D Roosevelt during WWII that forced many Japanese Americans into internment camps as a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders… deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded,…, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion. (1942, Executive Order 9066)
Forced Internment is the act of making people relocate for a certain amount of time.
I visited the Bainbridge Island Memorial Museum in Washington – Bainbridge Island was the first place where Japanese Americans were taken and sent to Internment Camps. They have a memorial wall and museum exhibit with some of the stories of the families placed in the Manzanar Interment camp from Bainbridge.

12. Role #1: Chief Executive
The President also has the power to appoint federal judges to Federal Courts and justices to the U.S. Supreme Court (but must receive approval from the Senate).
Not all appointees are approved…
The President also has the power to remove appointed officers, the extent of this power has been questioned by the Supreme Court several times .

13. Role #1: Chief Executive
Finally, Presidents can issue or grant
“pardons” (or declarations of forgiveness)
“reprieves” (or orders to delay punishment until heard by a higher court
“amnesty” (or a pardon toward a group of people)
Ex: Carter granted amnesty to people to fled to Canada in order to escape the Vietnam War Draft

14. Role #2 - Chief Diplomat/Foreign Policy Leader
As Chief Diplomat, the President directs the foreign policy of the United States.
This is done by negotiating treaties with leaders of other nations and securing relationships with other nations – this is also called foreign affairs.

15. Role #2 - Chief Diplomat/Foreign Policy Leader
The President utilizes his Secretary of State and ambassadors/diplomats (people that work for the government who are assigned to a foreign nation) to create better relations and build diplomacy with other countries.

16. Role #3: Commander-in-Chief
The President is given complete control of the armed forces as “Commander-in-Chief”
However, as a part of “checks & balances” only Congress can declare war (this has only happened 5 times – the last official declaration of war was Dec. 7, 1941 (World War II)

17. Role #3: Commander-in-Chief
The President has the authority to send troops into action.
Since 1789, the presidents have sent troops into action over 150 times.

18. Role #3: Commander in Chief
For example, during the conflicts in both Korea and Vietnam, the President got involved in these conflicts and sent troops into battle without a declaration of war from our Congress.
The Iraq War was technically never a war because it was not declared by Congress, but it was an armed conflict in which the President used his authority to send troops into action

19. Role #3: Commander in Chief
The President, acting through the Secretary of State, negotiates treaties with foreign sovereign states. These treaties must be approved by the Senate by a 2/3 vote.
The President can also issue an executive agreement with foreign nations without the approval of senate. These are often routine and likely flow from legislation already passed by Congress.
The Iraq War was technically never a war because it was not declared by Congress, but it was an armed conflict in which the President used his authority to send troops into action

20. Role #3: Commander-in-Chief
After the Vietnam War, in 1973, Congress passed the “War Powers Resolution” which forced the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops into action.
The President can only send troops into action for 60 days unless Congress approves an extension or war is declared.
The Iraq War was technically never a war because it was not declared by Congress, but it was an armed conflict in which the President used his authority to send troops into action

21. Checkpoint!
Which of the roles of the President discussed so far is his most important role?
Which of the roles of the President discussed so far allows the President to call troops into action?
What do we call the powers that are listed in the Constitution?

22. Role #4: Legislative Leader
Many bills that Congress considers each year come from the President or “Executive Branch”. The President cannot make laws, but he can encourage Congress to pass laws that he supports and veto bills that he is not in favor of.

23. Role #4: Legislative Leader
Every President creates a “legislative program”, or a list of laws they want passed.
“From time to time… recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient” –Article II, section 3
A special staff is created to work with Congress on these bills.

24. Role #4: Legislative Leader
Every President gives three messages to Congress each year.
The State of the Union Address, The President’s Budget message, and the annual Economic Report
The President also works with Congress by acting on bills: SVDP2
The President alone can call Congress into a special session.

25. Role #4: Legislative Leader
The President represents the entire nation, while members of Congress represent their own constituents.
This causes conflicts from time to time…
What would this cause conflicts?

26. Role #4: Legislative Leader
Time is a major issue as the President can only serve two terms, but members of Congress have no term limits.

27. Role #5: Head of State
The President is the “living symbol” of the United States.
Their role is to carry out the ceremonial (traditional) functions for the American citizens.
As well, the President is interested in domestic affairs – all things social, political and government related to the US.
What does it mean to be a living symbol of the United States? What does the President represent?

28. Role #6: Economic Leader
Each President hopes to help the country’s economy prosper.
The most important way to do this is to have a sound plan for the federal budget.
The President reports on these conditions to Congress.

29. Role #7: Party Leader
Our current President is the top of the Republican party. The president is also considered the leader of their political party.
They often help with party member’s elections:
Give speeches on behalf of candidates
Raise money for elections
Get people in the spotlight at big events