this item can give a president real leverage in influencing congress?

public support?

http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LCcXZ1dG3FYQqnpDhp4vkxCJVqn7pcQpQGyBZfkBNXGxQG8GCPBx!1367163926!657620650?docId=5001344253