AboutMax Kimball Expertise I'll be glad to answer any question related to US politics, regarding domestic or international issues.
Experience I've studied US history and politics for nearly 20 years. I'm currently also volunteering in the American, European, and Medieval history categories.
Expert: Max Kimball Date: 7/14/2008 Subject: congress + exec branch
Question If the president has a lot of political capital and the people like him, why does that pressure congress to listen to the president more? Why is congress less likely to say no to the President?
Answer Hi Jon,
I'll be glad to help with your question.
When a president has a lot of "political capital," it means that he has a lot of public support and goodwill. More meaningfully, it means that the president has the support and goodwill of voters. These voters cast ballots for members of Congress as well as president.
Members of Congress may decide it's not a good idea to obstruct the agenda of a popular president, because doing so would upset voters, and may jeopardize their re-election. For Congressmen to be on the same side as a popular president means, by definition, that they are on the same side as the voters - and that's the side they want to be on.
