Roles of the President
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Head of State
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Represents the nation
Performs ceremonial
roles
Nation’s chief
diplomat
Collective image of
the United States
Roles of the President

Chief Executive

Ensures all laws of Congress are carried out
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Executive orders – rules that have the force of
law
Power to appoint people to offices in executive
branch
Right to fire officials they have appointed
Impound funds
Appoint officials to
the judiciary
Grant reprieves and
pardons
Grant amnesty
Roles of the President

Chief Legislator

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Propose legislation the president wishes to see
enacted
Describe programs in State of the Union
Veto any bill Congress sends for approval
Economic Planner

Submit an annual
economic report
to Congress


Council of
Economic Advisers
helps president
Prepare an annual
budget
Roles of the President

Party Leader

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Appoint members to government jobs
Political patronage to reward those who helped
the president get elected
Chief Diplomat
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Directs the foreign policy
Power to negotiate and
sign treaties
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2/3 Senate approval is
required
Make executive
agreements
Decide to recognize
governments of other countries
Roles of the President

Commander in Chief
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Shares power with Congress to make
war
Helps with key military decisions that
represent overall policy and strategy
Authority to order
use of nuclear
weapons
Special powers
during times of war
Leadership Qualities and Skills

Understanding the Public
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Ability to Communicate
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Weigh both sides of the issue
Ability to Compromise
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Know when to introduce or delay action
Openness to New Ideas

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Communicate and present ideas to inspire
support
Sense of Timing
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Public support helps policies pass quicker
Settle to get what they really want
Political Courage
Presidential Isolation

Special Treatment

People tend to every want and need of the
President
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Voicing Opinions
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Discourage staff from disagreeing with them
Advisers stand in awe of the president
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Starts to feel he is above criticism
Make it difficult to take a stand against the
President
Access to the President

Top staffers control negative access to the
President
Executive Privilege
Right to refuse to provide
info to Congress or the
Courts
• Congress feels their
oversight powers overrule
executive privilege
• Limits of Executive
Privilege

•
Say it is necessary to protect
their communication with
staff
•
Otherwise they would not get
frank advice