President
Federal-level race in the 2008 general election
Candidates
Chuck Baldwin
Constitution
Running with Darrell Castle
Bob Barr
Libertarian
Running with Wayne Root
John McCain
Republican
Running with Sarah Palin
Ralph Nader
Independent
Running with Matt Gonzalez
Barack Obama
Democratic
Running with Joseph Biden
Latest blog posts
President Delivers State of the Union Before Divided Congress
(from City, State and Nation )
Obama taps Deaton for administrative post
(from City, State and Nation )
Obama picks Kansas to win it all, predicts Missouri loss in first round
(from Sports Blog)
Social Security tax cut applied at UM system
(from City, State and Nation )
TRANSCRIPT: Obama's remarks at Univ. of Wisconsin
(from Politics Watch)
Photo Blog: Inauguration of Barack Obama
(from Politics Watch)
General information
Job description
The president of the United States has two main jobs, as assigned by the Constitution. The president is the chief executive of the federal government and the commander in chief of the armed forces. As chief executive, the president enforces laws, treaties and court rulings. The president also develops federal policies, prepares the national budget, appoints federal officials, approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons. As commander in chief, the president has the authority to send troops into combat and commission the use of nuclear weapons.
Incumbent
George W. Bush
Pay
$400,000