26 The President: Who is upholding the law?
The presidency is the most visible position in the U.S. government. During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates accepted the need to empower a relatively strong and vigorous chief executive–bound by checks from the other branches as well as the Constitution. Presidents must work with the other branches to be effective.
The President: Questions to Consider
- What are the powers, opportunities, and limitations of the presidency?
- How does the chief executive lead in our contemporary political system?
- What guides his or her actions, including unilateral actions?
- If it is most effective to work with others to get things done, how does the president do so?
- What can get in the way of coordination and compromise between branches?