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The concept of the American Presidency was revolutionary. A ruler, limited in power and forced to answer to citizens periodically who was, nonetheless, held totally responsible for the success or failure of the republic. The limitation of power was based on a very British distaste for absolute power by the monarch. The complete break with tradition and creation of the office of a national executive, however, was based on the complete failure of the Articles of Confederation and the guidance of several founders, including Jefferson, John Adams and George Washington, the first executive to "try out" the new office sketched out in Article II of the new US Constitution.
Throughout American history, the office has been defined by the person who holds it as much as by the document that outlined it. And the people who have served as President have discovered that, however much they thought they were prepared to be President, there were always surprising challenges to face. -
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George Washington envisioned a non-political executive of limited term whose main task it would be to lead the nation in war and keep it out of any foreign intrigue, a ceremonial head of state. Jefferson and Jackson expanded the definition of the office to include political and social leadership. Lincoln and both Roosevelts introduced the concept of President as national leader, taking on unpopular causes for the greater good. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson fully developed the concept of manager-in-chief. Each president has helped fill out the edges of the basic job description outlined by the founders.
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The President's primary duties are to serve as commander-in-chief, diplomat-in-chief and chief executive officer. In the execution of those duties, presidents have become legislative leaders and as executive officers have prepared the budget and managed the agencies and activities of the executive branch. They appoint and are responsible for the activities of diplomats, cabinet officers, department heads and military personnel.
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Most presidents are excel in execution of certain duties than others. World events and economic conditions at home change. A president who serves well at one time in history might be a miserable failure at others. The challenge that voters have is to elect the person who has the capacity, by virtue of abilities, intellect, background and temperament, to act on the current needs of the nation, navigate difficult political waters and promote progress in the spirit of the nation's original founders.
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The President of the United States does not make laws. The President is responsible for enforcing or making sure laws are followed. Congress makes laws. The President does not decide who is guilty or not---or what laws should be obeyed. It is the job of the courts to administer justice. This concept is called "separation of powers"---three branches, equally charged with providing "checks and balances" on the others so that no branch could become more powerful than the others.
