Executive Branch: The Seven Roles of the President
Name:
Hour:
Date:
The U.S. President has the most powerful job in the world. It’s like working seven jobs at once—some people say
he wears seven hats. Some of the President’s powers, or jobs, are listed in the U.S. Constitution. Other powers are
implied (suggested as necessary) by U.S. laws, court decisions, or actions of earlier Presidents. Using the reading,
“The President Wear Seven Hats” and if necessary, pg. 241-250 in your textbook, fill out the description of each
presidential role in the chart below. Then look to Obama’s recent schedule to find examples of him performing
each of these roles
Role
Description
Example from President
Obama’s Daily Schedule
Include day, time, & description
Chief
Executive
Chief
Diplomat
Commander
in Chief
Legislative
Leader
Party Leader
Judicial
Leader
Chief of State
Issue: Global Spying
U.S. surveillance policies aimed at allies have sparked strong reactions across the globe. Claims have
been made that the NSA or National Security Agency tapped German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s
cellphone and monitored the communications of tens of millions of French and Spanish citizens. Merkel
has indicated that “she unmistakably disapproves of and views as completely unacceptable such
practices, if the indications are authenticated.” Spanish Foreign Minister Manuel Garcia Margallo said
that if reports that the U.S. citizens were confirmed, it “could lead to the breakdown of the traditional trust
that have governed relations between the two countries.” How should President Obama handle NSA
surveillance policies and respond to troubled foreign leaders?
How might the President respond to this event to remedy the situation? Be specific.
Presidential Role
What kind of action(s) might the president take in this role?
Chief Diplomat
Chief Executive
Issue: Failure of Obamacare Website Rollout
More than two weeks into the disastrous rollout of HealthCare.gov, the website created by
President Barack Obama's health care reform law still isn't working right. The Department
of Health and Human Services, headed by Kathleen Sibelius was given the job to make the
largest expansion of the American safety net since the Great Society a success. A frustrated
public unable to sign-up for benefits wait to see if they indeed will receive health benefits as
once promised by the Obama administration.
How might the President respond to this event? This time you choose the roles as well as
describe the actions he should take in these roles to help remedy the issue.
Presidential Role
What kind of action(s) might the president take in this role?
President Obama’s Daily Schedule
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
10:15 AM
The President and Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00 AM
The President meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:45 AM
The President meets with CEOs on Cybersecurity Framework
The Situation Room
Closed Press
12:30 PM
The President and Vice President meet for lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
3:00 PM
The President delivers remarks at a Memorial Service for former Speaker Tom Foley
U.S. Capitol Building
Open to pre-credentialed media
4:45 PM
The President and Vice President meet with Secretary of Defense Hagel
Oval Office
Closed Press
Monday, October 28, 2013
10:00 AM
The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:00 PM
The President delivers remarks at the installation of FBI Director James Comey
FBI Headquarters
Pooled Press
Final Gather 11:20AM – North Doors of the Palm Room
3:45 PM
The President and Vice President meet with Secretary of State John Kerry
Oval Office
Closed Press
**************** Has the weekend off******************
Friday, October 25, 2013
10:45 AM
The President and Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:20 PM
The President departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn
Open Press
1:35 PM
The President departs Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews
Travel Pool Coverage
2:30 PM
The President arrives in New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Open Press
3:25 PM
The President visits a P-TECH classroom
Pathways in Technology Early College High School
Travel Pool Coverage
3:45 PM
The President delivers remarks
Pathways in Technology Early College High School
Open to pre-credentialed media
7:00 PM
The President delivers remarks at a DCCC event
Private Residence
Print Pool
8:10 PM
The President attends a DNC event
Private Residence
Closed Press
9:55 PM
The President departs New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Open Press
10:50 PM
The President arrives at Joint Base Andrews
Joint Base Andrews
Travel Pool Coverage
11:05 PM
The President arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Thursday, October 24, 2013
9:45 AM
The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:35 AM
The President delivers remarks on Immigration Reform to members of the U.S. Supreme Court
East Room
Open Press
4:50 PM
The President participates in an event with the DNC’s (Democratic National Convention) Women’s
Leadership Forum
Jefferson Hotel
Closed Press
Wednesday October 23, 2013
10:45 AM
The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:30 PM
The President and the Vice President meet for lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
2:10 PM
The President holds a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif; the Vice President also
attends
Oval Office
Pool Spray at the Bottom
4:15 PM
The President and the Vice President meet with Secretary of the Treasury Lew
Oval Office
Closed Press