Contents: The Part as Prologue: Was watergate a deterrent? -- Was Nixon an aberrant? -- The Illusion of Omnipotence: The Facade of unlimited presidential power -- Inherent limitations -- Institutional limitations -- The Department and career service -- The Press -- Congress -- The Courts -- The Myth of the strong Nixon presidency -- The Legacy of the weak Nixon presidency -- The Effect of the Nixon ouster -- The Danger of an impotent presidency -- Proposed structural changes -- The Sinews of Accountability : Making the president more accountable to congress confirming the cabinet -- Pruning white house staff function -- Securing information -- Overseeing surveillence -- Withdrawing emergency powers -- Making the president more accountable to the courts -- The President of justice in court -- Making the president more accountable to the people -- The Mystique of the president -- The Media and the president -- The Marketing of the president -- The Measuring of the president -- Sources and notes