As we approach—with dread—yet another national election, let’s remember that, as awful as the candidates chosen to campaign for the presidency may be, the office itself is much, much worse. The people we choose to inhabit the White House are part of the problem in American presidential politics, but the unrealistically vast expectations the public places on that position, and the efforts of chief executives to expand their powers to meet those hopes and dreams, pose even greater danger. Public Perceptions of an All-Powerful President”American presidents are often blamed—and take credit for—thi…