SECTION 1

The President’s
Job Description ▲P
President
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South Korea in 1983.

Guiding Question Do you know who the youngest person ever to be President of
What are the roles and the United States was? The oldest? Who held the presidency for
qualifications of the office of the longest time? The shortest? Can a person born in a different
the President? Use an outline
country become President? In this section, you will find the
like the one below to keep
track of presidential roles and
answers to these questions and much more.
qualifications.

I. The President’s Roles

What are the presidential roles?
A. Chief of state There is only one President of the United States. This one person
1. Symbol of the nation must fill a number of different roles at the same time. These roles
2. ____________________ are: (1) chief of state, (2) chief executive, (3) chief administrator,
B. Chief executive (4) chief diplomat, (5) commander in chief, (6) chief legislator, (7)
1. ____________________
party chief, and (8) chief citizen.
2. ____________________
Chief of state refers to the President as the head of the government.
He is the symbol of all the people. In the United States, the President
Objectives: also rules over the government. In many countries, the chief of state
■ Describe the President’s many
reigns over government but does not rule. Examples of this can be
roles.
found in England, Denmark, Japan, Italy, and Germany.
■ Understand the formal

qualifications necessary to The President is also chief executive, vested by the Constitution
become President.
with broad executive powers. This power is used at home on
■ Explain how the President’s term

of office has changed over time.

domestic issues and also extends to foreign affairs. The executive
■ Describe the President’s pay
power is limited, however, by our government’s system of checks
and benefits. and balances.
As chief administrator, the President is in charge of the executive
branch of the federal government. This branch employs more than
2.7 million civilians.
The President is also the nation’s chief diplomat, the main author
of American foreign policy. Everything the President says and does
is closely followed, both at home and in other countries.

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 In addition, the Constitution makes the President the commander
in chief of the armed forces. This power gives the President direct Chief of state
The President as ceremonial head
and immediate control of the military. of the United States
As chief legislator, the President shapes public policy. The Chief executive
President may suggest, request, and insist that Congress enact The President as the holder of
laws he believes are needed. Sometimes, Congress does not agree the executive power of the United
States
with the President and decides against legislation. Working with
Congress takes up a major part of the President’s time. Chief administrator
The President as the leader of the
The six presidential roles you just read about are written in the executive branch of the federal
Constitution. The President must also fill two other roles—chief of government
party and chief citizen. Chief diplomat
The President as the main
The President is automatically the chief of party—the leader of the architect of American foreign
political party that controls the executive branch. Political parties policy and the nation’s chief
are not mentioned in the Constitution, but they are an important spokesperson to other countries
part of government. Commander in chief
The top person in charge of the
Finally, the President is chief citizen. This means the President nation’s armed forces
should represent all of the people of the United States. Citizens Chief legislator
expect the President to work for their interests and provide moral The President as the main author
leadership. of public policy

The President must carry out each of these roles at the same time. Chief of party
The President as the leader of his
Sometimes, the failure to perform one duty can lead to failure in or her political party
another area. For example, President Richard Nixon was forced to
Chief citizen
resign from office in 1974 because of the Watergate scandal. The President as the
The people who had elected and trusted him were unhappy with representative of all the people
the way he chose to fulfill the roles of party leader and chief citizen.

What are the President’s responsibilities as

the nation’s chieff of state?

President Bill Clinton

meets with Israeli and
Palestinian leaders at Camp
David in 2000 to conduct
peace talks. What role is
President Clinton
▲

fulfilling here?

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 What are the formal qualifications?
The Constitution says that a candidate for President must meet
certain formal qualifications. The President must:
● be a natural born American citizen
● be at least 35 years old
● have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years.
Most Presidents have been in their 50s when they entered the
Reading Strategy White House. John F. Kennedy was the youngest at age 43 to be
Visualizing elected President. Theodore Roosevelt succeeded to the office at
What words in this
paragraph help you visualize what the age of 42 after President William McKinley was assassinated.
you are reading? Ronald Reagan was elected at age 69. He left office at age 77, the
oldest person ever to hold the presidency.

What are the three qualifications a person must meet to

be eligible for the presidency?

How long can a President serve?

At first, the Framers debated between a single term for the President,
lasting six or seven years, and a four-year term, with the possibility
of reelection. They finally chose the second option. The Framers did
not set a limit on the number of times a President could be reelected.
During the 1940s, Franklin Roosevelt served four terms, or 16
years, as President. To make sure this would not happen again,
Congress passed the 22nd Amendment. The states ratified this
amendment, which limits the President to two full terms in office.
If the Vice President succeeds to the presidency and then is elected
twice, he or she can serve up to ten years in office.
Many people criticize the 22nd Amendment. Presidents Truman,
Eisenhower, and Reagan each called for its repeal. They claimed it
should be left to the people to decide how long a President should
serve. Others say it weakens the President’s authority at the end of
the second term. Those in favor of the 22nd Amendment claim it
prevents one person from having too much power.

What are the pay and benefits?

Congress sets the President’s salary, and it cannot change during a
President’s term. Since 2001, the President has been paid $400,000
a year. The President also has a $50,000 expense account to spend
any way he or she chooses each year. The President is also given
many benefits. One benefit is living in the 132-room White House in
the center of Washington, D.C. The President also has use of a fleet
of cars, Air Force One, and several other planes and helicopters.

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 Biography
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004)
Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, was elected President of the
Illinois, on February 6, 1911. He graduated United States and served two
from Eureka College in Illinois and became a terms. President Reagan became known for his
radio sports announcer. This led to a career grace and wit. His economic policies were called
in the movies. He also served in the army “Reaganomics.”
from 1942 to 1945. After his wartime service, Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, returned to
Reagan became president of the Screen Actors’ their ranch in California at the end of his second
Guild. This was the beginning of his political term. He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease the
career. When he was first elected governor of last ten years of his life. He died in 2004.
California in 1966, he fought for lower taxes and
reduction in government spending. In 1981 he

Essential Questions Go to your Essential Questions

Journal to work on this chapter’s
Journal
SECTION 1 ASSESSMENT
Essential Question.

1. Guiding Question Use your completed

Quick Write outline to answer this question: What are
Research one President that the roles and qualifications of the office of
is talked about in this section. the President?
Write a paragraph on your
findings. Make sure to include Key Terms and Comprehension
the President’s full name, years On a sheet of paper, write the answer to each question.
in office, and number of terms. Use complete sentences.
Also include any interesting
facts you find about the 2. What is the President’s role as chief of state?
President.
3. Which two presidential roles did not come from the
Constitution?

4. What is the purpose of the 22nd Amendment?

5. What are two of the benefits of being President of the

United States?

Critical Thinking
6. Draw Conclusions Why do you think the Framers set formal
qualifications for the presidency?

7. Demonstrate Reasoned Judgment Some people think that the

President is paid too little. Others believe the President is
paid too much. What do you think? Why?

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 CITIZENSHIP
101
Evaluating Leadership
“Tuesday’s election for the State Assembly seat in Gloucester
County is going to be a close one. Recent polls show that Jane
Arbino is leading among voters who think lowering taxes is
important. Voters who favor a national health insurance program
are much more likely to vote for her opponent, Keith James.”

W hat qualities are important

to you when you choose
whom to vote for in an election?
have the ability to motivate
or inspire others? Does the
candidate share your beliefs
of the job with the abilities of
the candidate.
3. Compare qualifications. Once
Many different factors can make and values? you have done Steps 1 and 2,
someone the right candidate for 2. Match the skills to the you will need to compare
you. Your criteria might not be job. Your evaluation of the candidates against those
the same ones that matter to candidates may depend on the factors. Who meets most of
someone else. It is important to position that is being filled. A your requirements? Does your
decide what is important to you town mayor may need different list of requirements reduce your
before you vote. skills than a town clerk. The options to one candidate? If
1. Decide what factors are
qualities of a good senator not, you will have to compare
most important to you. Before
might be different than those the candidates to determine
you start thinking about of a good Board of Education who you think will be the best
the candidates, you should member. For some positions, choice for the position.
determine what leadership it is important to have a strong
qualities you care about the vision and an ability to unite
most. Do you want a leader What do you think?
people. For others, someone
who has been in office for who can stand up to opposition 1. What do you think is the
a long time? Past behavior most important leadership
is ideal. It is important to match quality for a United States
can be a good indication of the specific requirements senator? What about for a
how someone will perform high school principal?
in the future. You may want 2. Do you think it is a good idea
to evaluate candidates based for a leader to admit when he
on their personalities or or she has made a mistake?
characters. Does the candidate 3. You Try It Make a list of the
qualities that you think make
a good leader. Then, choose
someone in a leadership
position, such as a member
of Congress or the President.
Evaluate this person based
E
on the criteria on your list.

MAGRUDER’SO NL INE
GO
GOVERNMENT
Online Update
Cit
Citizenship Activity Pack
For activities on evaluating
lea
leadership, go to
PearsonSuccessNet.com
Pea

318 The National Legislature

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