ABSTRACT
Each president is dealt a different hand to play: different circumstances and societal demands heavily impact a president’s ability to accomplish his agenda. The opportunities and constraints facing George W. Bush and Barack Obama were vastly different than those facing their predecessors. But the high standards we set for the performance of our presidents remain consistent. A review of landmark enactments dramatically underscores the extent to which some presidents have had far greater opportunities than others to contribute to fundamental changes in domestic policy. Moreover, some presidents have capitalized on their opportunities, while others played their hands rather poorly. A comparison of presidents reveals that they have varied considerably in their leadership styles, strategies, and the skill with which they approached the job.
