Main constitutional check on the president – impeachment (8 stages) Other powers of the president – not in Constitution – Executive orders Support Staff – Executive Office of the President which includes the Office of Management and Budget, chief of staff, press secretary

When do presidents succeed? Electoral context – margin of victory/mandate What Congress looks like – is there divided government, but further, what is the size of President’s party in both House and Senate Honeymoon period – six months after election Need to bargain and persuade (Neustadt) Importance of going public (Kernell) Presidential style/personality/character Success on domestic versus foreign policy