President Pamphlet
Constitutional Requirements to be President
- At least 35 years of age
- Natural born citizen
- A resident for at least 14 years
Presidential Perks
- Salary- $400,000
- Staff- basically unlimited staff
- Living in the White House- costs over $4 million a year
- Recreation- gets invited to whatever he/she wants
- Air Force One- private jets
- Ground transportation- the beast (most secure car) costs $300k a year
- Blair House
- Travel & Advance team- logistics & security
- Camp David- vacation house
10 Constitutional Powers
- Serve as the commander in chief of all U.S. armed forces- diplomatic
- Commission officer of armed forces- diplomatic
- Grant pardons and reprieves from Federal offenses- judicial
- Convene special sessions of congress- executive
- Receive foreign ambassadors- executive
- Make sure that the Federal laws are faithfully executed- judicial
- Wield the "executive power"- executive
- Appoint officials to lesser offices- judicial
- Make treaties- diplomatic
- Appoint embassadors, judges, and higher officials also approve legislation- executive
The most important power is to make sure that the federal laws are faithfully executed because, that is how our society works, by laws and the laws being executed.
What does it take?
- Responsibility- the president has to be responsible in all decision making processes
- Trustworthy- the people have to be able to trust the choices the president makes
- Strong Leadership- the president is leading our country, so he/she should be an extremely strong leader
- Planner- there needs to be a plan in place for how to set the goals the president wants to accomplish
- Likeable- the president needs to have a personality that others can like and admire
Roles as President
- Party Leader- helps members of his political party get elected
- Commander-in-Chief- all military leaders report to the president
- Chief Executive- the power to administer the laws of the county
- Chief of State- represent the U.S. at political events
- Chief Diplomat- interacts with leaders from other countries
- Chief Legislature- can voice his ideas and opinions to congress on laws
Worksheet
Party Leader: In this role, the president helps members of his political party get elected or appointed to office. The president campaigns for those members who have supported his policies. At the end of a term the president may campaign for reelection with his party’s support.
Guiding Questions
1. To what political party does the current president belong? Democrat
2. In what ways can a sitting president work on behalf of his party?he can give positive suggestions and ideas about the party
3. In what ways can the president's party continue to work on his behalf?
They can support him and follow in his footsteps
Commander-in-Chief:The president is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces. That means all of the military leaders report to and take orders from the president. The president performs this duty as a civilian, someone who is not in military service.
Guiding Questions
1. What is the benefit of having a civilian who is an elected public official as the commander-inchief? They are a regular person so they have some of the same wants and needs in the government as a general citizen
2. What might be some of the drawbacks?
They might not be as official
Chief Executive: The president is the chief executive, empowered to administer the laws and affairs of the nation. While the president does not make the laws, his agencies have the responsibility and authority to carry out the laws.
Guiding Questions:
1. Which recent executive orders have impacted the state of the nation? Preparing the United States for the impacts of climate change
2. What article in the Constitution grants the president executive power? Article 2
Chief of State: The president's role as chief of state is to represent the United States at public events. This is mainly a ceremonial role that allows the president to promote/convey/represent American values and acknowledge others who do the same.
Guiding Questions
1. When has a president visited U.S. cities in distress? President Bush visited the people after hurricane Katrina
2. How would a president play the role of chief of state during wartime? He would command the military
Chief Diplomat: Being a diplomat involves interacting with leaders from other nations. The president takes the lead in foreign relations by associating with foreign leaders and, along with the help of Congress, develops a foreign policy with other nations.
Guiding Questions
1. Which foreign leaders has the president recently hosted at the White House? Which nations has the president recently visited? What have been the motivating reasons for these visits?he met with the leaders of Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi, and Cape Verde. He met with Queen Elizabeth in England. He wants to strategize with his allies.
2. Which countries have been traditional allies of the United States? Do these friendly relationships remain strong today? France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and many more. We still have strong relationships with most.
Chief Legislator: Though the president cannot make laws, he can voice his own ideas and opinions to Congress while they draft legislation. He does this through speeches promoting his agenda and by meeting with Congress to discuss policies.
Guiding Questions
1. Name one controversial piece of legislation that the president has pushed through Congress. He pushed health care reform to break deadlock
2. How has the president pushed his plan for healthcare? Obamacare