What are roles of the US President?

Answer 1

1. Chief of State or Head of State

   Roles: This role requires a president to be an inspiring example for the American people. In some nations, the chief of state is a king or a queen who wears a crown on special occasions, celebrates national holidays, and stands for the highest values and ideals of the country. As the American Chief of State, the president is a living symbol of the nation. It is considered a great honor for any citizen to shake the president's hand.

2. Chief Executive

   Roles: The president is "boss" for millions of government workers in the Executive Branch, deciding how the laws of the United States are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisers to help run the Executive Branch.

3. Chief Diplomat

   Roles: The president decides what American diplomats and ambassadors shall say to foreign governments. With the help of advisers, the president makes the foreign policy of the United States.

4. Commander-In-Chief

   Roles: The president is in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The president decides where troops shall be stationed, where ships shall be sent, and how weapons shall be used. All military generals and admirals take their orders from the President.

5. Legislative leader

   Roles: Only Congress has the actual power to make laws. But the Constitution gives the president power to influence Congress in its lawmaking. Presidents may urge Congress to pass new laws or veto bills that they do not favor.

6. Party leader

   Roles: 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.

7. Judicial Leader

   Roles: In this role, the president names judges and makes justices

8. Chief Guardian of the Economy

   Roles: In this role, the president is concerned with such things as unemployment, high prices, taxes, business profits, and the general prosperity of the country. The president does not control the economy, but is expected to help it run smoothly.

Answer 2

The expressed powers of the President of the United States are mostly set down in Article II of the Constitution. The powers are of two sorts: those exercised alone without legislative approval and those that require consent of the Senate or House. The major function of the executive branch is to make sure the laws are carried out. Powers of the President Alone: commander in chief of the armed forces; commission officers of the armed forces; grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment); convene Congress into special session; receive ambassadors; take care that the laws be faithfully executed; make use of the "executive power" of the office, such as the veto power; give an annual State of the Union Address to Congress; appoint officials to lesser offices. Powers shared with the Senate/House: make treaties; appoint ambassadors, judges, and high governmental officials; approve legislation. The President also has “implied powers.” These are powers that are not listed in the Constitution but have been used by presidents as conditions change. During times of emergency, the President often does things that would not be acceptable during peaceful times. President Lincoln, for example, raised an army, spent money, blockaded southern ports, and suspended the writ of habeas corpus, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation without the approval of Congress. Since the President is the only person elected by the whole nation, the President can use his office to influence events and use his ceremonial duties to express his wishes and goals. He can use the media to get his message to the public or to criticize Congress or to try and convince congress to take a particular action. He can also use his office to influence the activity of the other two branches by his popularity with the public. Even a threat of a veto or the suggested appointment of a certain individual could make the other branches take notice of the implied suggestions from the executive office.