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Thought Leadership

Presidential Roles

Presidents are conceived as central to American politics. The strongest evidence of their eminence is the variety of roles they are expected to play. Combined, these roles create an enormous burden on the office of the President. Here are some key roles the President plays:


Chief of State

The President of America is supposed to symbolize the American government’s uniqueness. As the Chief of States, the President carries out various activities ranging from entertaining foreign diplomats to throwing out the first pitch of the baseball season. It is deemed that these activities enhance the President’s image in the public. .


Chief Executive

According to article 2 of the American constitution, the executive power is vested in the President. It is the President's job to finally approve or disapprove a bill. The congress creates bills and sends it to the Senate and the House for approval. Once it is approved in both the chambers, it is sent to the President for approval. The bill becomes a law only if the President agrees and signs it. The President reserves the right to veto a bill if he / she deems it unsuitable.


Chief Diplomat

Article 2 of the constitution states the President has the authority to make treaties with the advice and the consent of the Senate. He has the authority to receive foreign ambassadors and ministers. He also has the authority to nominate and appoint ambassadors, ministers and consuls with the advice and consent of the Senate. As chief diplomat, the President plays a leading role in shaping U.S foreign policy.


Commander in Chief

Under the provisions of Article 2 of the constitution, the President is the ‘Commander in Chief of the Army, Navy and of the Militia of several states. The authority to declare war however rests in the hands of Congress. Therefore, the President is in reality only the supreme commander and director of the military and naval forces, as first general and admiral of the confederacy. In other words, the President commands the troops once they are in battle.

 

Chief Legislator

These days the mass media, the public and also member of the congress consider the President as a kind of grand legislator who initiates public policy and thereafter guides it through congress. Article 2 of the constitution grants the President four legislative duties:

  1. To convene both Houses or either of them in special sessions
  2. To adjourn congress if the two Houses cannot agree on adjournment
  3. To periodically give Congress information about the State of the Union
  4. To recommend such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient 

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