Although presidents may have a difficult time actually leading the public and Congress, voters still desire strong leadership from them. This book argues that the perception of presidential leadership in American politics is affected not so much by what presidents accomplish but by whether voters think their president is a good leader. When assessing whether a president is a good leader, voters ask two questions: does the president represent me and the nation? And, is the president strong? The author shows that presidential interactions with Congress affect voter perceptions of presidential representation and strength, which have important implications for public attitudes about American politics. They affect presidential approval ratings, the performance of candidates in presidential elections, attitudes toward Congress, and trust in government. Perceptions of presidential leadership qualities have implications for both the presidency and the larger political system.