⇒ The constitution confers specific powers on the President:

• The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed services (but cannot declare war)
• War Powers Act 1973 - the president can only use military force for 90 days without Congressional approval
• The president negotiates and signs treaties with other countries (although they need ratification by the Senate)
• The president oversees diplomatic relations with other countries
• The president has the power to issue pardons to anyone convicted of a crime

⇒ The constitution confers two more specific powers on the President

• The president is responsible for appointing people to head govt departments, subject to confirmation by the Senate
• The president can call Congress back into session during a break in times of national emergency - this has been used 28 times to call back both chambers (e.g. Truman in 1948)

⇒ These duties are carried out in most countries by the head of govt, although again this is not specified in the Constitution:

• Chief legislator - the president signs/suggests laws and signs bills into law
• Chief diplomat
• Chief economist
• Party leader

⇒ As specified by a clause in the Constitution, the President shall 'from time to time give to Congress information on the state of the union and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient'.

• State of the union address, delivered annually at the end of January, in which the President takes a leading role in shaping national policy for the year (Obama used the opportunity in 2009 to take about a stimulus bill to increase governmentt spending to help with tax relief etc. - It passed almost immediately after)

⇒ President has the power to veto bills that have been passed by Congress (Article 1 Section 7)

⇒ Otherwise, the Constitution gives the president the broad responsibility of ensuring that the laws of the USA are 'faithfully executed'.