Question

how do you think popularity and public approval ratings affect a president's ability to use the informal powers of the office?

Answer 1

According to Abraham Lincoln, “public opinion is everything”. Popularity and public approval ratings can be determinants or predictors of the effectivity of the president’s ability to use informal powers such as making executive orders, setting a legislative agenda and conducting foreign policy.

Answer 2

Popularity and ratings can lead to the President being more or less willing to use items like Executive Orders and setting an overall legislative agenda. If the President is popular, he will be more likely to use these powers because he feels he has the people's support on his side: when the opposite is true, it may be tougher to use these powers because he first has to regain the people's support.