Roles of the President
Chief Executive-official duties and using powers given to him by the Constitution
Example: appointing new judges
Commander in Chief-top figure for all branches of the military
Example: inspecting the graduating class at the Naval Academy
Chief of Party-best person to help raise money for their political party (democrats or republics)
Also good at giving party members jobs in the government
Example: A fund raiser dinner where the President gives a speech
Watchdog of the Economy- keeps an eye on wages, prices, unemployment rates, budgets
Example: helps to create new jobs when the unemployment rate rises
Chief Foreign Policy Maker-Meets with leaders from other countries to decide about
treaties and other important issues.
Example: President Bush meets with Tony Blair (England’s Prime Minister) to decide
what to do about the hostage situation in Iran.
Head of State-non official obligations to help uphold the American image
Example: Throwing out the opening pitch for the baseball season
Chief Legislator-suggests ideas for laws to Congress
Example: I think everyone’s taxes should go up so we can pay nurses and teachers more!
Match the action being taken by the President (By letter) with the role he is performing in each of
the following. There will be some examples of his wearing more than one hat at the same time.
A.
B.
C.
D.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE (7)
COMMANDER IN CHIEF (2)
CHIEF OF PARTY (2)
WATCHDOG OF THE ECONOMY (4)
E. CHIEF FOREIGN POLICY MAKER (2)
F. HEAD OF STATE (4)
G. CHIEF LEGISLATOR (4)
__F__1. Making a patriotic speech on Memorial Day.
_____2. Hosting a cabinet meeting to discuss foreign policy.
_____3. Signing a bill sent to him by Congress.
_____4. Sending the National Guard in to help flood victims in Louisiana.
_____5. Traveling to Iowa to make speech at a party dinner.
_____6. Meeting with labor leaders to discuss a strike by auto workers.
_____7. Hosting a party in honor of a diplomat from China.
_____8. Greeting visitors who come to the White House.
_____9. Hosting a brunch at the White House for the leaders of the Ways and Means Committee.
_____10. Awarding commissions to those who have recently graduated from West Point.
_____11. Choosing a member of his party to serve in the capacity of Secretary of Education.
_____12. Delivering the annual State of the Union message to Congress.
_____13. Nominating someone to fill a vacancy created in a federal judgeship.
_____14. Officially receiving the Prime Minister of England.
_____15. Meeting with his cabinet on a regular basis.
_____16. Making a big pitch before the voters to help him fight a tax hike proposed by Congress
_____17. Telling Congress he wants a mandatory seatbelt law nationwide.
_____18. Releasing 9,000 government workers he feels are no longer necessary
_____19. Meeting Arab oil leaders to help establish a more stable price for oil.
_____20. Commuting a death sentence to life in prison.