Presidential popularity is the chief basis of power and is driven by national conditions

Evidence

Presidents who are popular in the country tend to have their way in Washington. Popularity is a vital political resource, perhaps the president’s single most important base of power (Neustadt, 1960; Ostrom & Simon, 1985; Rivers & Rose, 1985). Popularity, in turn, depends on the prevailing economic, social, and political conditions of the times. Unemployment, inflation, economic growth, flagrant violations of public trust, the human toll of war, sharply focused international crises, dramatic displays of presidential authority—all affect the president’s standing with the public at large (Hibbs, Rivers, & Vasilatos, 1982a, 1982b; Kernell, 1978; MacKuen, 1983; Ostrom & Simon, 1985). A president’s popularity (and therefore his power) is shaped by large events played on a national and international stage. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1565