Following a political campaign is an exercise in faith.

Presidential candidates make promises. They will say – “I will balance the budget.” “I will create jobs.” “I will provide affordable health care for all.” These are a few examples of what a candidate will proclaim.

None of this is true. Moreover, a sitting president cannot make such promises. Candidates know this but they are not usually called on this fact. It is more advantageous to make promises than explain how their plans come to fruition.

The plain fact is that only Congress can enact laws whereas a president sets the agenda. The president will propose legislation with the advice and consent of both houses of congress and promote his favored legislation through the processes of a hopefully compliant majority of Congress.

Compromises, bill riders and amendments are usually included along the way as the piece of legislation crafts its way through targeted committees and finally to the president’s desk.

If there is no majority consensus, the proposed law will not proceed, or may be killed in committee or held up by the speaker of the house. In this way, the speaker is more powerful than the president where legislation can be squelched. There are also other circumstances to advance a legislative bill.

Creating laws is often a byzantine and frustrating process akin to making sausage in a meat packing plant. The final piece of legislation seldom emerges as the original proposal. What a president can do is veto a law. The veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of Congress. In essence, presidents depend and rely on Congress to get their agendas passed into law – promises notwithstanding.

The president has other immense powers. As commander in chief, the president has charge of the armed forces and can rule – effect change – and call states of emergency as may arise. A president uses national intelligence and is empowered to use military force as history has shown.

A full-scale warfare commitment (using the War Powers Act) also needs approval by Congress, if proposed. Also, the president appoints key individuals in the administration for cabinet positions, the federal judiciary and Supreme Court justices, also subject to congressional approval.

Importantly, the president has the “bully pulpit.” Presidents must sell their proposals, concerns and plans to the public and members of Congress and will command access to the broad media whenever warranted. On the world stage, the President has an international forum unique to most heads of state – a privilege and responsibility afforded a super power.

The presidential bully pulpit is highly influential in affecting public opinion – which is the most powerful force that moves the direction of the country. As powerful as a president can be – the checks and balances of our political system can prevent or change excesses of power. An effective president must persuade a diverse public along with a bipartisan Congress to get favored legislation passed into law. A presidential promise is a barometer of where the candidate stands for change.

Public opinion through the ballot box ultimately holds sway.

Peter Bollen, a resident of Bridgton, is a member of the Postal Press

Association.