WARM UP

Below are the names of the Speaker of the House, Vice President, President Pro Tempore of the Senate. If something happened to President Obama, in what order would they be placed into office?

Joe Biden- Vice President

John Boehner- Speaker of the House

Patrick Leahy- President pro tempore of the Senate

WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT DO?

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Carry’s out nations laws

15 Cabinet Departments

Executive order- rule or command that has the force of a law

WAIT.. THE JUDICIAL BRANCH?

• President has power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court

• Try to appoint Supreme Court justices with similar views

• Can also…

• pardon- freedom from punishment

• Reprieve- delay punishment

• Amnesty- Pardon toward a group of people

CHIEF DIPLOMAT

• In charge of foreign policy

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

• Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard

• Shares with Congress power to declare war

• Only the President can order soldiers

• 60 days or they must be brought home or declare war

WAIT… THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TOO?!

• Proposes laws they want Congress to pass

HEAD OF STATE

• Symbol of the nation

• Lights national Christmas tree (which I am jealous of)

• Gives medals to country heroes

ECONOMIC LEADER

• Plans the budget

• Deals with unemployment, taxes

PARTY LEADER

• Head of the party they belong (Democratic or Republican)

• Help raise money, support same party candidates

WEB EXPLORATION

• Go to my website (Cox Mill High School Social Studies Department)

• Click on Documents

• Select the Link “President” under Web search

• Follow instructions

• You may listen to music while you work! No singing (Jonathon)

IN YOUR OPINION…

• Do you believe the President has too much power? State your belief and in 1 paragraph, describe why you feel this way.