the presidency is:

a. an extaordinarily strong office with sufficient powers to enable the president to control national policy under virtually all circumstances.
b. an inherently weak office in that presidents have almost no capacity to influence the major directions of national policy.
c. an office in which power is conditional, depending on wheather the poliical support that gives directions of national policy.
d. an office where power depends almost entirely on its occupant; strong leaders are always successful presidents and weak ones never succeed.

And your answer is?

The presidency is a complex and multifaceted office with varying degrees of power and influence. It is not a straightforward concept and can be interpreted differently depending on various factors. Let's break down each option and explore the different perspectives:

a. An extraordinarily strong office with sufficient powers to enable the president to control national policy under virtually all circumstances.
This viewpoint suggests that the presidency is a position of significant authority, with the president having the ability to wield substantial power and control over national policies. This perspective acknowledges that the president's powers can be influential in shaping the direction of the nation.

b. An inherently weak office in that presidents have almost no capacity to influence the major directions of national policy.
This perspective posits that the presidency is inherently weak, implying that presidents have limited ability to influence significant national policies. It suggests that other entities or factors, such as Congress or interest groups, have more substantial influence over determining the major directions of the nation.

c. An office in which power is conditional, depending on whether the political support that gives directions of national policy.
This viewpoint suggests that the power of the presidency is contingent upon the political support the president receives. It acknowledges that while the president may hold significant authority, their ability to shape national policy ultimately depends on the level of support they have from other political actors, such as Congress or the public.

d. An office where power depends almost entirely on its occupant; strong leaders are always successful presidents and weak ones never succeed.
This perspective posits that the success or failure of a president is solely determined by their inherent strength or weakness as a leader. According to this viewpoint, strong leaders will always be successful as presidents, while weak leaders will inevitably fail in their roles.

It is important to note that the nature of the presidency is a subject of debate, and different experts and scholars may hold varying opinions. To form a well-rounded understanding, it is important to consider multiple perspectives, examine historical examples, and evaluate the dynamic interplay between the president, other branches of government, and societal factors.