Question

A President attempting to influence Congress to pass a legislative program might employ all of the following strategies except

a. exploiting a partisan majority for the President's party in both the House and Senate
b. denying campaign reelection funds to legislators who oppose the President's policy stand
c. assigning legislative liaisons in the Executive Office of the President to lobby legislators
d. using the media to draw attention to the legislative program
e. reminding legislators of high popularity ratings for the President in public opinion polls.

Answer 1

Presidents typically use strategies like exploiting partisan majorities, employing legislative liaisons, utilizing the media, and citing public opinion polls to influence Congress but do not deny campaign funds as a strategy. Presidential influence relies on negotiation, persuasion, and compromise.

Step-by-step explanation:

A President attempting to influence Congress to pass a legislative program might employ a variety of strategies. These can include exploiting a partisan majority in both the House and Senate, and employing legislative liaisons to lobby legislators. The President might also use the media to attract public attention to the legislative program and remind legislators of high public opinion polls favorable to the President. However, denying campaign reelection funds to legislators who oppose the President's policy stands is typically not a strategy employed by Presidents as it could lead to significant political discord and might not be legally or ethically permissible.

Presidents employ strategies such as negotiation, persuasion, and compromise to secure policy achievements in cooperation with Congress. As political scientist Richard Neustadt suggested, presidential power is largely about the ability to persuade, and legislative achievements are often more durable when they involve persuasion and compromise.