In general, after you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should understand the following:
- the roots of the office of president of the United States and how the Framers created the executive for a new nation
- Article II and the constitutional powers of the presidency
- the development and expansion of presidential power and how presidential success has come to depend on the officeholder's personality, popularity, and leadership style
- the growth of the presidential establishment of advisors, assistants, and departments, all helping the president do his job, but making it easier for him to lose touch with the people
- the president as maker of policy
- presidential leadership and the significance of public opinion as well as the role the president plays in molding public opinion
