What are the roles of the President of the United States?
Roles of the President of the United States of America
- Head of State- Chief Executive
- Commander in Chief
- Chief Diplomat
- Chief Legislator
Formal Qualifications to be President of the United States
- minimum 35 years of age
- resident of US for minimum of 14 years
- natural-born US citizen
Unofficial qualifications??
- male
- WASP
- prior executive experience
- good communicator
- charisma
How does the President get elected?
Win the electoral college (not the popular vote....though it doesn't hurt to win that one too)
See graphic on p.165
Presidential succession was defined by both the Presidential Succession Act (1947) and the 25th Amendment. (See chart on p.166)
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
Head of State
Serves in this role in addition to duties as head of government. Includes ceremonial duties as well as receiving foreign dignitaries and making official state visits to other countries.
Chief Executive
Role as head of government to make sure that the laws of the United States are faithfully executed. Includes overseeing all executive departments and the civil service of the government. To assist, the President may appoint individuals to various positions in the executive branch, federal judiciary, regulatory commissions, government corporations, etc (with the consent of the Senate). There are also a handful of unique executive powers and/or privileges.
- grant reprieves
- grant pardons
- issue signing statements on laws
Commander in Chief
Unique power of the President as commander of all United States armed forces. (civilian control of the military) Commander in Chief role versus the Congressional power to declare war (A1 S8 C11) has been a tricky dynamic. War Powers Resolution/Act creates some clarity.
Chief Diplomat
Power to make treaties with foreign nations (with consent of .....), offer diplomatic recognition to foreign governments, forge executive agreements with foreign heads of state, nominate ambassadors to foreign nations, and generally lead United States foreign policy.
Chief Legislator
While not an active part of legislating (not a part of the legislative branch), the President can influence legislation in various ways.
- suggesting/ passing along legislation to Congress
- recommendations in addresses, especially the State of the Union (bully pulpit)
- veto (pocket veto / line-item veto) see Table 13-1 on p.458
