Presidential Powers Essays - Commanders In Chief,

Presidential Powers In every government there is a ceremonial head of the government who is the symbol of all the people in the nation. As Howard Taft put it, "The personal embodiment and representative of their dignity and majesty" (McClenaghan, pg. 316). That person is the Chief of State or more commonly known as the President. One of the main factors that cause the presidents to be viewed as a symbol of the American community is the president's ceremonial duties which are named in the Constitution. The Constitution states several ceremonial duties that the presidents are "obliged" to perform. They are required to take an oath of office, periodically inform Congress of the State of Union, negotiate with foreign powers, and receive "Ambassadors and other Public Ministers". "These Constitutional ceremonial duties supported the assumption of the Chief of State role by George Washington and his successors because they made the president appear as the leader of the entire nation"(The Presidents A-Z, Pg. 68). Castro 2 Both, the Oath of Office ceremony, the Inauguration, and the State of Union address physically place the President out in front of other government officials. Also, the President's duty to receive Ambassadors shows that foreign governments view and regard the president as the official representative of the United States, and since the rest of the world sees our president as being the Chief of State, then the "domestic responsibilities of the Chief of State could not be assumed more gracefully than anyone but the President" (The Presidents A-Z, pg. 69). In the 18th century, when the Framers designed the U.S. president's job, monarchy was the style of government throughout most of the world. But, since they wanted to avoid any suggestion of a monarchy, the Framers of the constitution made the Chief of State the Chief Executive as well. They called this person the President. But, like monarchs, the U.S. Presidents are the living symbol of the nation. They symbolize the country's history, liberty and strength. The President can appoint ceremonial representatives, but while they are still in office they cannot escape their role as Chief of State. At every moment they represent the United States at home and overseas. Castro 3 When the President, or shall I say "the Chief of state, is not occupied with functions that pertain to government he would attend and participate in such as lighting the national Christmas tree, deliver a patriotic address during the Fourth of July, lay a wreath on the graves of soldiers that died for their country (such as the Tomb of the Unknowns) on Memorial day, lead us special holidays (such as Thanksgiving, bless fund raising drives, and on numerous occasions in the past he would throw the first ball to open the baseball season in the Spring. Many of these functions mean something and are significant especially when the President is involved. "But consequently, the duties of the Chief of State are seldom described as a power and are sometimes denounced as a waste of the President's time." (The Presidency, Pg. 69) Although the President's right to dedicate a monument or congratulate an astronaut may mean little, The symbolism that the action portrays clearly "enhances presidential authority, legitimizes and maximizes other presidential powers, and secures his position as Chief of State." (The Presidency, Pg. 69) " "As political scientist Clinton Castro 4 Rossiter explained "No president can fail to realize that all his powers are invigorated, indeed are given a new dimension of authority, because he is the symbol of our sovereignty, continuity, and grandeur." The presidency is therefore elevated above other offices and institutions not just by its legal authority, but also by its symbolic and historic mystique." (The Presidency, Pg.69) The position of the President as the Chief of State is defined by the Constitutional provisions which are the source of some of the most important power the President can use. The parts covered by these provisions are classified as Military, Judicial, and Diplomatic. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, provides for the power as "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States and of the Militia of the several states, when called into actual Service of the United States". (U.S. Constitution) The position of the Commander in Chief makes the President the highest Military officer in the United States, with control over the entire Military establishment. Although, that does not mean that he is always doing something involving Military or Naval actions every minute. He leaves the smaller jobs up to the generals Castro 5 of the Army