POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

Where did George Washington begin?

Unit 6, Journal #1Describe the following political cartoon and analyze its

message.

Then, answer the following question:Why is having a president so important?

Constitutional Qualifications

1. Must be at least 35 years old

2. Must have lived in the United States for 14 years

3. Must be a natural-born citizen

Presidential Benefits• $400,000 tax-free salary

• $50,000/year expense account

• $100,000/year travel expenses

• The White House

• Secret Service protection

• Camp David country estate

• Air Force One personal airplane

• Staff of 400-500

Christmas at the White House, 2004

Presidential Roles

Head of State

Queen Elizabeth and President Reagan, 1983

President Kennedy speaks at Berlin Wall, 1963

The President is chief of state. This means he is the ceremonial head of the government of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation.

Chief Executive

President Bush holds cabinet meeting in October, 2005

President Clinton with Janet Reno, the first female Attorney General,

February, 1993

The Constitution vests the President with the executive power of the United States, making him or her the nation’s chief executive.

Chief Diplomat

President Lincoln during the Civil War, 1862

President Roosevelt and the “Bully Pulpit,” 1910

As the nation’s chief diplomat, the President is the main architect of American foreign policy and chief spokesperson to the rest of the world.

Commander-in-Chief

President Bush aboard U.S.S. Lincoln, May, 2003

President Johnson decorates a soldier in Vietnam, October, 1966

The Constitution makes the President the commander in chief, giving him or her complete control of the nation’s armed forces.

Chief Legislator

President Clinton delivers the State of the Union Address, 1997

President Roosevelt signs into law the Social Security Act, 1935

The President is the chief legislator, the main architect of the nation’s public policies.

Political Party Leader

President Reagan & Vice-President Bush accepting their party’s nomination in 1980

The President acts as the chief of party, the acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch.

Guardian of the Economy

Obama came into the presidency with many of these issues to face: unemployment, debt, and a low prosperity in the U.S.

the president will be concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly.

Chief Administrator

Vice-President Johnson sworn in aboard Air Force One

after President Kennedy’s assassination, 1963

President Bush at Ground Zero after 9-11

The President is the chief administrator, or director, of the United States government.

Chief Citizen!The President is expected to be “the representative of all the people.”

Activity:Activity:With a partner, discuss the following:With a partner, discuss the following:

Of the 8 “roles” of the President of the Of the 8 “roles” of the President of the United States, which one do you think United States, which one do you think

President Obama has been most President Obama has been most successful at? successful at?

Which one is he least successful at? Which one is he least successful at?

WHY? WHY?