because we haven't had a political thread in like two weeks

[GonzoStyle]

That's somewhat true, there are many things that are out of anyones control and when its good the president takes credit and the opposite when its bad, he gets blamed.

Though that doesn't mean a president is simply a figurehead, presidents are far from that. There have been many presidents who have influenced not just the country during their terms but changed the country forever. There have been many who have done nothing, and many who have done a lot of harm. But there are many circumstances surrounding that as well, the climate of the country, the current members of the house and senate, etc, etc.

But I have never bought into the argument of "figure heads" and that a president has no real power, lets look at the current dope in office and the havoc he has wreaked over the last 5+ years.