Final answer:
Theodore Roosevelt compared the role of a president to that of a steward, protecting the public's interests. Option B is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theodore Roosevelt, in articulating his perspective on the presidential role, drew an analogy between the occupant of the Oval Office and that of a steward. According to Roosevelt, the president functioned as a steward, entrusted with safeguarding the collective interests of the public. In this conceptualization, he asserted that the president bore the responsibility of acting in a custodial capacity, ensuring the well-being of the citizenry.
Roosevelt's stewardship theory posited that the president should possess the legal authority to take any action deemed necessary to address the needs of the people, provided such actions were not explicitly prohibited by the Constitution or existing laws. Essentially, he envisioned a proactive and empowered presidency, with the latitude to exercise authority in the absence of explicit constraints.
This perspective reflected Roosevelt's belief in a dynamic executive branch capable of responding decisively to the evolving needs of society. The stewardship model underscored the president's obligation to act in the public interest, framing the executive role as one of active custodianship over the nation's welfare.