Discuss the circumstances that contribute to the success or failure of presidential influence on national policy.

What will be an ideal response?

Whether a president succeeds or fails in getting his or her policies enacted depends on the force of circumstance, the stage of the presidency, the relationship with Congress, the foreign or domestic nature of the policy issue, and the level of public support for the president. Circumstances such as the decisiveness of election victory and the emergence of a compelling national problem often create conditions that affect the president's influence, and yet are beyond his/her control. Success rates for presidential initiatives are strongly related to whether or not the president is of the same party as the majority in Congress, and whether the majority is sizable or weak. Presidents tend to receive more support from Congress on foreign policy issues than on domestic policy issues. Finally, support for presidential initiatives tends to be highest during the honeymoon period of a presidential term and wanes as the president's term in office lengthens. Very high levels of public support can give the president immense power, while very low levels of public support can encourage even members of the president's own party to oppose the presidential agenda.