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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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.”

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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.