American Government, Readings and Cases, by Peter Woll (12th ed.)

1. The Presidency — Focus of Leadership, Charles Rossiter, pages 273-277

Strong presidential leadership has been necessary since the framing of the Constitution to oversome the forces of disunity within the political system.

2. Presidential Power, Richard E. Neustadt, pages 278-282

The Constitution makes the president more of a clerk than a king. Presidential influence depends on powers of persuassion. There is never assured support for White House policies. To be effective, the president must persuade constituents — the bureaucracy, Congress, the president's political party, citizens at large, and foreigh governments — that presidential policies are in their interests.

Chief Justice Richard Barajas
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics
Cathedral High School, El Paso, Texas
Last updated: July 25, 2000