ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines the political geography of Washington, focusing on the interaction between the constitutional design of the American national government and the contemporary elaboration of the interest group system, and how that interaction has been managed by presidents in the modern era to secure influence, especially in Congress. He discusses the institutional and group context of presidential leadership. The author evaluates three group directed strategies that presidents have pursued to advance their political and programmatic interests: using the instruments of government to intimidate their organized opponents, cultivating specific interests friendly to their administrations, and targeting their public liaison activities to mobilize their allies. He suggests that the nature of the current group system and executive strategies designed to exploit it to the president's advantage are compatible with, not detrimental to, the reinvigoration of political parties. Kennedy's administration contributed to the mobilization of women and the creation of groups such as the National Organization for Women.
