In What Ways Does the U.S. Presidency Support and Limit the Formation of an Ideal Democracy?

This is a tough question.  I know that we have to have a president in order to be a democracy, however he can both support and limit the formation of an ideal democracy.  After reading chapter six, "The Presidency: Imperial or Imperiled? in the book The Politics of Power, that I have mentioned throughout my blog, made me realize that he can limit it more than support it.   When a new president is elected to office, he can change what the previous president worked hard on, and it seemed that the president puts his interests and personality in the White House and wants what he wants.  I think it also seemed that even though he is supposed to be the voice of the people because he is elected by the country, he doesn't always do that and can change is goals once he is elected.  I also found it interesting that presidents have "rewards they can dispense in order to obtain compliance with their policies.  For example, they have patronage, including judgeships and ambassadorships, and benefits, such as invitations to the White House, with which to repay loyal supporters and persuade holdouts who may need more convincing.  They can strike bargains by offering inducements to members of Congress in return for votes" (Katznelson, Kesselman, Draper, 146).
I know that we could not have a democracy without a president and I think that he can support it, but I think that money and power has become so important to them.  I think that at one time they supported an ideal democracy when our "Founding Father's"  first wanted to have a president and a democracy rather than a monarchy.  I like how at the end of the chapter the authors write, "Presidents are at the center of government and attempt-not always successfully-to motor and direct it as well.  Presidents attempt to provide initiative and coherence to the federal government as it pursues and protects the interests of corporate capitalism abroad, defines and promotes capital's interests at home, and engages in social control to cope with the dislocations that its policies int he first two arena produce"(Katznelson, Kesselman, Draper, 167).
The bottom line, is that the president tries to do the best he can in my opinion and has a hard job, probably the hardest job ever.  Not everyone is going to be satisfied and never will be.  I think in the president wants to support the formation of an ideal democracy, but in doing so limits it.