Constitution
Lesson 1
President’s Roles
A. Chief of State
1. Ceremonial head of the U.S. – symbolizes all Americans.
2. Some Chief of States only reign – U.S. – reigns & rules.
B. Chief Executive
1. Const. gives executive powers
- U.S.
U S Pres
Pres. is the most powerful office in the (world)
C. Chief Administrator
1. Head of largest governing machine in the world.
2. Has 3 million civilian employees.
3. Spends over 1.7 trillion/year.
D. Chief Diplomat
1. Architect of American foreign policy.
- U.S. spokesman to the rest of the world.
E Commander in Chief
E.
1. Leader of U.S. Armed Forces.
2. Directs 1.5 mil. military servicemen (women)
F. Chief Legislator
1. Makes public policies
2. Shapes congressional agenda
- suggests
gg
legislation.
g
G. Chief of Political Party
1. Leader of the party – controls the exec. branch
H. Chief Citizen
1. Representative of ALL American people.
2. Leader of the country
I. Interrelated Roles
1. Must be all these rolls at the same time.
2. Lyndon Johnson – effective Pres (executive) – poor
Commander in Chief – Vietnam War cost him popularity.
3. Richard Nixon – g
good executive,, diplomat,
p
, etc. – p
poor
citizen, and party leadership. - Watergate
Formal Qualifications
A Natural Born Citizen
A.
1. Born in the U.S. – some argue that a citizen born abroad
can be Pres. – never has been done – time will tell.
B. 35 Years Old
ld
1. John F. Kennedy – youngest elected – 43 yrs. old
2. T. Roosevelt – youngest ever – succeeded into it @ 42 yrs. old
3. Ronald Reagan – oldest elected – 69 yrs old.
C. Lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
D 100 million people meet the criteria.
D.
criteria
President’s Term
A. Four Year term – can be reelected.
1. A. Hamilton – “long enough to gain experience, demonstrate
abilities, and establish policies.”
B. Washington
g
stepped
pp down after 2nd term – didn’t want to be a King.
g
1. unwritten rule
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt – broke the rule in 1940 & 1944
3. 22nd Amend. – 2 term limit
- can serve longer if succeed the position – no
longer than 10 years.
4. Some say 22nd Amend. takes away the “voice of the people.”
- don
don’tt want a dictator
5. Some want a single 6 year term – eliminate campaign pressure.
Pay & Benefits
11. Finest Health Care
1. 1789 - $25,000/yr
2. 2001 - $400,000/yr
12. Travel & Entertainment
3. $50,000 expense account
money
4 Whit
4.
White House
H
– 132 room mansion
i
13. Pension – 161,200/yr
5. Suite of offices
6. Presidential Yacht
7 Fleet of autos
7.
8. Air Force One
9. Helicopter
p David – resort hideaway
y in MD.
10. Camp