• Objective 6; Compare and
contrast the various roles of the
president, including Head of
State, Commander-in-Chief,
Chief Executive, Legislative
Agenda Setter, Chief Diplomat,
Party Leader, and Chief
Economic Planner.
• 1. Head of State;
• President is the ceremonial head
of the U.S. government and the
symbol of the nation.
• 2. Commander-in-Chief;
• President is commander of all U.S.
military forces. Constitution gives
some power over foreign affairs
and the military but the President
dominates in these areas.
• 3. Legislative Agenda Setter;
• President is the architect of public
policy. He sets the congressional
agenda by initiating, suggesting,
requesting, insisting, and demanding
Congress enact certain legislation.
• 4. Chief Executive;
• President is head of ALL federal
agencies that fall under the executive
branch.
• 5. Chief Diplomat;
• President is the architect of American
foreign policy and the chief
spokesperson for the nation. What he
does and says is followed all over the
world.
• 6. Party Leader;
• He is the leader of his party. IF he is
popular, Congressmen/women will
follow his lead and support him. If
not, they will try to separate
themselves from him.
• 7. Chief Economic Planner;
• President makes a budget for the
country and submits it to Congress.
They often must come to
compromises over it.
• President sets path for the economic
direction of the country with tax cuts,
tax increases, and incentives for
industries, gov’t regulation, etc….
• Economics is one of the major areas
of division between Republicans and
Democrats.
• Objective 7; Describe how
presidents have used their
foreign policy powers, in terms
of both diplomatic and military,
to increase their power relative
to Congress.
• President sets the country’s
foreign policy and is the
Commander-in-Chief of the
military.
• Military is often used to “back up”
foreign policy.
• President can make treaties, with
help of Sec. of State.
rd
• Senate must give 2/3 ’s approval.
• President can also make Executive
Agreements.
• Executive Agreements are pacts
between a President and the head of
a foreign state.
• They do NOT require Senate approval
but flow out of legislation already
passed by Congress or out of existing
treaties.
• Ex; Destroyers- Base Agreement
1940
• The President can also use
Recognition as a weapon in foreign
relations.
• Often provides a country with
protection, (Ex; Panama, 1903
• Israel, 1948)
• And/or foreign aid from U.S.
• President can withdraw a diplomat if
he becomes displeased with a
nation’s conduct.
• Iran, 1979
• President dominates military
policy.
• President’s power as Commanderin-Chief is almost limitless.
• President has final authority and
responsibility for all military
matters.
• Have often used military power
without a declaration of war.
• War Powers Act of 1973 was an
attempt by Congress to limit
President’s military power.
• It was originally vetoed by Nixon
but Congress overrode it.
• Constitutionality of it has been in
dispute since it’s inception.
• Objective 8; Explain the
impeachment process for
governmental officials,
including the impeachment
proceedings of Andrew
Johnson and Bill Clinton.
• Constitution provides that the
President, and all civil officers of the
U.S. may, “be removed from Office
on Impeachment for and
Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or
other high Crimes and
Misdemeanors.”
• The House accuses and brings
charges.
• The Senate has the power to try or
judge in impeachment cases.
• The Chief Justice presides over
the Senate during the trial.
• Conviction requires a 2/3rds vote
by the Senate.
• Penalty is removal from office and
the Senate can prohibit the
convicted person from holding
federal office again.
• Person can also be tried in regular
courts.
There have been 17 impeachments
and 7 convictions, all federal
judges.
1868- Andrew Johnson was
impeached but not convicted by 1
vote. (acquitted)
He purposely violated the Tenure in
Office Act, (which he vetoed but
was overridden).
• 1998 – Bill Clinton impeached by
the House.
• Charged with Perjury and
Obstruction of Justice for
withholding information.
• He was acquitted on both charges.
• Perjury vote was 45-55
• Obstruction vote was 50-50.
• Public opinion was against
convicting him.
• Objective 9; Analyze the role and
importance of the cabinet,
including the customary
qualifications for nomination.
• Cabinet is an informal advisory body
brought together by the President to
serve his needs.
• Not mentioned by the Constitution.
• 1789-first Cabinet. Consisted of Sec.
of State, Sec. of War, and Attorney
General.
• 15 Cabinet positions today.
• Head of each is appointed by the
President and subject to Senate
confirmation.
• Almost all chosen on Party lines.
• Many helped get President elected.
• President tries to give regional
balance by choosing people from all
demographic and geographic areas.
• Interest groups influence
appointment of some.
• Cabinet members have 2 major
jobs;
• 1. Administrative leader of his/her
department.
• 2. Advisor to the President in their
particular area.
• Some Presidents take advice
more serious than others.
• Objective 10; Compare and
contrast role and responsibilities of
the Executive Office of the
President, the independent
regulatory agencies, and the
government corporations,
understanding the purpose of
each in shaping pubic policy.
• Executive Office of the
President (EOP) a complex
organization of several separate
agencies staffed by advisors of the
President. Est. 1939
• 1. The White House Office;
• “Nerve Center” of the EOP.
• Most of the President’s staff
occupies the West Wing of the
White House.
• Chief of Staff directs all operations
of the White House Office.
• White House Office also includes,
Press Secretary, legal advisors,
President’s doctor, First Lady’s
Office, etc…
• Over 400 people work for the
White House Office.
• Current Chief of Staff is Rahm
Emanuel
.