What factors assist or hinder a president in achieving their aims?

Factors that assist the president: United government

In the era of party polarisation, presidents are greatly assisted in achieving their aims if there is united government. It is easier to outsider Congress to pass legislation as they’re usually in agreement ideologically.

Factors that assist the president: Powers of persuasion

They use their powers to bargain and convince Congress in order to achieve their policy goals. Obamacare requires lots of compromise over this issues of abortion. Biden managed to pass bipartisan legislation due to his experience and relations making it easier for him to persuade

Factors that assist the president: Crisis

If presidents can react dissident then they are more likely to gain support of Congress - Obama’s approval rate after the economic crash was 90%.

Factors that hinder the president: divided government

Partisanship makes bipartisan cooperation extremely rare and difficult so Presidents find it harder to achieve their aims. Biden had passed no significant legislation after 2022.

Factors that hinder the president: Failure to persuade

During divided gifts and hyper partisanship, convincing the other side may be extremely difficult

Factors that hinder the president: Reacting poorly to a crisis

Presidents can misjudge the severity of a crisis and react slowly can damage their reputation - Bush and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Trump and Covid.