There are a number of different roles to fill The President must fill all roles concurrently

All at the same time There are eight major roles

The first six of the President’s roles come directly from the Constitution

Ceremonial head of the government Symbol of all of the people Most chiefs of state do not reign and rule

Queen of England, Emperor of Japan, etc. U.S. President does both

The President has, “the executive power of the United States”

The most powerful office in the world Uses his position to push through his plan

to make America better and leave a legacy

Boss for everyone in the federal bureaucracy

Approximately 3 million people $1.6 trillion budget

The architect of foreign policy Making and breaking of treaties The nation’s chief spokesperson His words are carefully followed in other

countries

Leader of the armed forces Approximately two million people and a

massive arsenal of weapons are at the President’s command

Main architect of public policies Sets the overall agenda for Congress

The following roles are jobs that are not prescribed by the Constitution

The President is always the leader of his political party

A place of “moral leadership” – FDR A voice for the people Represents the “American People” to

foreign countries Leading by example

Must be a “natural born citizen” Must be at least 35 years old

Kennedy was the youngest elected at 45 Teddy Roosevelt was the youngest at 42 Reagan was the oldest to be elected at 69

Each term is for 4 years A President may serve a total of two

terms 22nd Amendment, passed in 1951 FDR was elected four times 1932, 36, 40, 44

There is a debate on whether to change it to one six year term L.B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter

Salary fixed by Congress In 1789, the salary was set at $25,000 per

year Currently it is $400,000 per year There is a $50,000 expense account Benefits: The White House, a yacht, a fleet

of automobiles, Air Force One, several helicopters and smaller planes, Camp David in MD, the best health care, virtually unlimited travel budget

$143,000 per year pension

The plan by which a presidential vacancy is filled

The constitution did not specifically outline a rule

Vice President John Tyler was the first William Henry Harrison died 1 month after

taking office John Tyler assumed the presidency in1841 This action set a precedent

An action that can be used to justify similar action in the future

The 25th Amendment, passed in 1967 clarified the matter

Sets rules if both the President and Vice-President were unable to serve

The Speaker of the House is next The President pro tem of the senate is

next The Secretary of State is next Then each of the other heads of the

president’s cabinet in order of precedents

Established by section 3 and 4 of the 25th amendment

The Vice-President is to become acting president if… The president informs Congress that he is unable to perform

his duties The Vice-President and at least 7 members of the cabinet

inform Congress that the President is unable to perform his duties

The President may resume his power by informing Congress that he is once again able This can be challenged by the Vice-President Congress has the final say

This has only happened once President Reagan transferred powers to VP Bush before

going into surgery 8 hours later, he resumed the presidency