1. 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

2. 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