Multiple Roles of the President: American Government

Multiple Roles of the President: American Government

The president of the United States has to fulfill many roles. He not only has to serve as the political leader but also as the social leader. The president must put on a smile when meeting the public but a serious face when holding meetings. The president must be Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Economic Leader. The chief of state requires the president to exemplify American people. The president must become the living symbol of the nation. As chief of state, the president must speak to the public and shake the hands of the citizens. For example, the president must greet visitors to the white house. The president must also represent the United States of international meetings when meeting foreign leaders. For example, President Obama met with the leader of South Korea regarding the North Korean attack on the south. The president discussed American ideals on this issue. As chief executive, the president must make sure the laws are enforced, appoint officials, grant pardons, issue executive order, and coordinate the departments and agencies. The president must oversee federal agencies, appoint directors, and create policies in order to determine their goals. The president must also appoint federal judges and Supreme Court Justices. Theoretically, the president is the “boss” of many government workers in the executive branch. For example, the president appoints the head of the CIA and holds cabinet meetings. In 2011, President Obama held a meeting discussing the debate of health care. As chief executive, the president enters office with a few plans. For example, deomcrats prefer to expand on social services while republicans wish to decrease government spending. The president is surrounded by cabinet heads who constantly advise him. During the State of Union address, the president addresses the goals of the administration. As Chief Diplomat, the president must interact with foreign nations and their leaders. With the help of advisors, the president make the foreign policy of the united states. The president must oversee foreign treaties, and aid other nations. The president, as chief diplomat, must also make foreign policies that deal the international relations. The president must appoint the ambassador to the United Nations, and negotiate treaties with other countries. Creating treaties is a constitutional power of the president. Washington established treaties, and left it to congress to approve them. the president needs consent of 2/3rd of senate in order to enter a foreign treaty. But the president is still the one who devises negotiating strategies and creates the treaties in the first place. Although the president needs senate’s approval to ratify a treaty, he doesn’t need the approval to terminate one. For example in 2002, President Bush terminated the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty with Russia. The president may also create an executive agreement. An executive agreement does not need the approval of senate and allows the president to discuss foreign issues without limitations. As commander in chief, the president is head of the military. He is responsible for all defensive forces and units. The president may also award service medals to honor soldiers. The powers the president receives as commander in chief are his constitutional powers. The president may send troops to action, but only congress can declare war. The president may decide whether or not to bomb foreign cities, or prevent a rebellion. For example, President Bush carried out the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Congress has only formally declared war five times. If a president wishes to ignite war without congress’s approval, he may address an executive order which does not require’s congress’s formal approval. The president may also use some treaties such as NATO, to declare war. For example, President Bush launched an attack on Afghanistan which was supported by NATO. As chief legislator, the president guides congress in its lawmaking abilities. The president also gives his state of union address to congress. The address discusses what the president wishes to accomplish and the country’s foreign and domestic position. The president must also sign a bill for it to became a law. This is the final step of the lawmaking process. But congress may override the Presiden’s veto by a 2/3rd majority vote in both houses (House of Representatives and Senate). Truthfully, congress has the power to make laws. But the president’s constitutional powers allow him to influence congress. As chief of party, the president must help members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The president may choose party members to serve in his cabinet. The president also makes speeches needed for re-election so he can serve a second term. The president, as party leader, is in charge of fundraising for his political party. For example, the president holds fundraising dinners to fund for his party. The guests usually pay a certain fee to attend the dinner. Similar to head of state, the president must represent his political party during speeches holding democratic/republican views. For example, president Obama held a fundraising event at famous celebreity, George Clooney’s home. The fundraising event revenued a total of 15 million dollars. As economic leader, the president is expected to make the economy as stable as possible. The president must oversee certain things such as unemployment, taxes, business profits, and the properity of the country. The president much meeti with economic leaders in order to reduce unemployment, or increase revenue. To increase the stability of the nation, the president may create more jobs or increase the profit of the federal government. As economic leader, the president plans the federal budget. For example, president Obama discussed future economic plans with the leader of China. This is also an example of the president’s Chief Diplomatic powers.