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Intense rivalry between the president and congress is inevitable in presidential electoral system that can produce divided party control of the two branches. Cooperation may be more likely when both the president and congress are of the some party. The give-and-take between national and local representation, deliberation and efficiency, openness and accountability, specific interests and the "public good" ensures a certain amount of confrontation between congress and the president. As we have seen, their relation are shaped by an amalgam of factors: constitutional design, dlifferet constituencies, different terms of office, weak political parties, divided party control of government, ongoing competition for power, and pluralism. Although the rivalry and conflict between Congress and the president are inherent in the US's Presidential system of government, president must find support in Congress and members must seek assistance from the White House. To succeed in office every president must surmount the constitutional and political obstacles to pass their legislative program and establish a working relationship with Congress. Separation of powers and the division of political control between president and congresses do not present an insurmountable barrier to good public policy making. Presidents need to lead both public opinion and a consensus among the policy communities in Congress to solve the problems that are so readily visible. Overcoming divided government, changing public opinion, building consensus, and establishing the nation's policy priorities. |
