Final answer:
The power of the president of the United States is seen as legitimate because it is based on rational-legal legitimacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power of the president of the United States is seen as legitimate because it is based on rational-legal legitimacy. This form of authority is derived from the belief in the government itself rather than a specific individual. In a representative democracy like the United States, the president's authority is derived from being elected by the people and upholding the laws and policies within the established structure of the government.