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The President of the United States serves as the Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander-in-Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen. Tasked with broad powers, the President oversees the executive branch, manages a vast budget, and directs foreign and military policy while being the moral leader of the nation. Although the role is powerful, it comes with limits. Formal qualifications include being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident for 14 years. The term length is four years, with a two-term limit established by the 22nd Amendment.
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The President What does he/she do?
The President’s Roles • Chief of State • Ceremonial head of the United States government • Symbol of all people in the nation • Both “reigns and rules” • Chief executive • Very broad power • “Most powerful office in the world” • Still, has limits on what he/she can do
The President’s Roles • Chief administrator • Head the executive branch • Directs a ton of employees (over 2 million) • Huge budget to administer • Chief diplomat • “Architect” of foreign policy • He/she dictates our interactions with other countries
The President's Roles • Commander in chief • Related to chief diplomat • The military is at his direct command • Delegates much of his power • Chief legislator • He/she guides public policy • Initiates, suggests, requests, insists, demands laws • Not always a pleasant experience • These six come directly from the Constitution
The President’s Roles • Chief of party • Leader of the party that controls the White House • Very important in politics • Chief citizen • “Representative of all people” • He must be a moral leader • These roles are difficult to balance and complete simultaneously
Formal Qualifications • Must be a natural born citizen of the United States • Some discussion and debate about this • Be at least 35 years of age • Youngest elected was JFK (43) • Youngest in office was Teddy Roosevelt (42) • Oldest elected was Reagan (69) • Must have lived in the United States for 14 years • Over 100 million people meet these requirements
The President’s Term • Term is four years long • This was debated in the convention • Was no limit on terms until 1951 • GW established the precedent early on • FDR broke the precedent • The 22nd Amendment says only two terms is allowed • You COULD serve up to 10 years • Some have called for repeal of 22nd Amendment • Limits your second term effectiveness
President’s Pay and Benefits • Congress sets the pay for the President • Cannot be raised or lowered during a term • Pay is set at $400,000 a year (effective in 2001) • Also has a $50,000 expense account • Both are taxed as income • All kinds of great benefits • 132 room mansion • 18 acre estate • Offices and staff • Limos, planes, helicopters, etc. • Health care, travel, entertainment • On and on and on