1. Chapter Six The Federal Government The Executive Branch ~~~~~
Powers and Roles of the President

3. Roles of the President
the President plays many roles as leader of the U.S.
Chief Executive
the president is head of the executive branch
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that "the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America."
responsible for executing the laws passed by Congress and enforcing decisions of the federal courts
chooses officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch
holds Cabinet meetings to discuss government business
participates in all phases of government
writes the yearly federal budget
issues executive orders
chief executive
chief legislator
commander in chief
chief diplomat
chief of state
party chief
chief jurist

4. Roles of the President Chief Legislator
president recommends, or suggests, needed laws to Congress
signs bills into laws or uses his veto power
delivers messages to Congress
speeches before Congress or sent in writing
Constitution requires that the president "shall from time to time give to the Congress information of [about] the state of the Union, and recommend to their [Congress's] consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary.“
State of the Union Address
every year, usually in late January
televised speech to a joint session of Congress
sets forth the programs and policies that the president wants Congress to put into effect as laws
usually addresses the country's most pressing concerns
economic message
recommends how the federal government should raise and spend its money
reviews the country's economic condition
recommends various laws and programs to help the economy

5. Roles of the President Commander in Chief
head of the U.S. armed forces
all military officers ultimately answer to the president
in a time of war or in peacetime
does not actually lead U.S. forces into battle
in constant contact with U.S. military leaders
has the final say in planning how a war is to be fought
only one who can authorize use of nuclear weapons
may send U.S. forces into any part of the world where danger threatens
War Powers Act – 1973
limits the president's military power
resulted from Vietnam War
requires that the president recall troops sent abroad within 60 days, unless Congress approves the action
may be extended to 90 days if needed to ensure safe removal of U.S. troops

6. Roles of the President Chief Diplomat
in charge of conducting U.S. foreign policy
government's plan for interacting with the other countries of the world
seeks to secure friendly relations with foreign governments
must preserve national security
appoints officials to represent the U.S. government in
foreign countries
secretary of state, ambassadors, consuls, ministers
meets with leaders and representatives of other countries
meetings held both in the U.S. and in the officials' home nations
visits foreign countries to build international friendship and security and promote U.S. interests
corresponds with the leaders of foreign governments
diplomatic notes - written communications among diplomats
access to a computerized communications system
direct connection with other governments in an emergency
makes treaties - written agreements with other countries
must be made with the advice and consent of the Senate
Senate must approve a treaty by a two-thirds vote
the president must see that the treaty is carried out

7. Checking the Judicial Branch
Judicial Powers – Chief Jurist
appoints Supreme Court justices and all federal judges
must be approved by a majority vote of the Senate
grant reprieves to those who have committed certain federal crimes
postpones the carrying out of a person's sentence
grant pardons to those who have committed certain federal crimes
forgives a person convicted of a crime and frees them from serving out the sentence
grant commutations to those who have committed certain federal crimes
making a convicted person's sentence less severe

8. Roles of the President Chief of State Party Chief
symbol of the United States and its people
greets visiting foreign heads of state
travels to other countries to strengthen ties and improve relations
performs many ceremonial duties
awarding medals to honor worthy citizens
pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey
lighting the nation's Christmas tree
calling Super Bowl winners
throwing out the first baseball to open the baseball season
Party Chief
leader of his political party
makes speeches in favor of other party members
who are running for public office
helps the party raise money for its political campaigns,
candidates, and programs