Sean Wilentz asks the only important question that can be asked of any presidential candidate: What is your vision of the presidency? What role should the president play in the governing process?
Presidencies fall into one of three categories, he claims. strong presidents, advisor presidents and engineers presidents. Should a president take charge, delegate, or be a technocrat? The public will have to decide which is necessary at this moment and determine which of the remaining candidates fits the mold.
This assumes that the question will be posed and that clear answers will be provided. Too often candidates make statements regarding powers that belong to the other branches. It's no wonder students have little understanding of the true nature of constitutional powers.
Pity that Wilentz doesn't go further in his analysis.
