Article II of the US Constitution grants the president numerous powers and responsibilities, but the authority granted to the modern presidency far exceeds the constitutional definition of office. And through the years, a variety of presidential roles have evolved that were not originally or specifically outlined in the Article. Some of these roles were legislated by congress, the courts granted some, and powerful presidents assumed others.

The president's first role is as chief executive, the head of the executive branch and most of its workers. He is responsible for the ethics, loyalty, efficiency, and responsiveness of the federal government and its employees. The evolution of the chief executive's primary role provides a useful example of how the presidential power has developed through the years.

Every president wants to be remembered in history, but he knows that if he overuses his power, he can easily be remembered as the first American dictator, which the people and the president surely don't want to have happen. This is the one fact that will keep the powers of the president in check at all times.

The Constitution accords the president the power to veto congressional bills and recommends legislation to congress. This means that if the president disapproves of a bill (this usually happens when a bill contradicts the president's political group or personal beliefs), he can respond with a 'message veto' and return the bill to Congress with a message stating the reasons he has for not signing it. This helps Congress "edit" the bill in such a way that the president will pass it, though many times it looks completely different than the original bill that they began with. If Congress is about to adjourn, the president can also respond with a 'pocket veto' and refuse to sign the bill within ten days. If Congress adjourns within that time, the bill will not become law.

One of these roles is party chief. Today, a candidate must have his political party's full support in order to become president. Once elected, a president must then become a skillful party leader. This way he can use the party's power to achieve his goals. Therefore, presidents court the favor of party members in Congress and place fellow party members in important government posts.

he Constitution granted the chief executive the power to appoint all officials in the executive branch, but after George Washington's term. Custom gave the chief executive power to remove appointees. Finally, legislation granted him the power to reorganize agencies and to prepare the budgets.

The president's role as national spokesman also evolved greatly through the years. This job makes sure that at home the president speaks for the nation's ideals; overseas, he embodies American beliefs. He must sell America and it's image, ideas, and goals, around the world to help economy, trade, and countless other advantages.

Finally the commander in chief alone decides when and if the nation will use its atomic weapons. This role is extremely important because in acting out his decisions, the president is deciding the future of the nation, and we the people are putting extreme powers in the hands of one man. Though he is influenced by his associates and generals about the proper actions in times of political crisis, the last decision is up to the president.

When the people choose a president, they first tend to look at which man supports most of their own rights and beliefs and interests. A man speaking the values and morals and that presents himself, as a good and capable man is likely to be elected. What starts

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Approximate Word count = 1880
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)