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Though there are hundreds of commissions, agencies & other federal divisions, the framers of the Constitution vested the executive (Exec) power in the president (Pres), & separated gov powers into judicial, Exec & legislative divisions to avoid tyranny in any one organ of gov. The responsibility placed on the Pres today is very great; his roles include those of chief of state, commander-in-chief, foreign policy negotiator, custodian of the public interest, shaper of opinion, chief administrator, party leader, & former of policy. The execution of these burdens of office has necessitated the formation of a complex Office of the Exec. In his policy-formulation & decision-making roles the Pres depends upon his annual `state of the union' message, messages & recommendations to Congress & the character of his budget. His assistants include the White House staff, a cabinet secretary, the Bur of the Budget, the Council of Econ Advisors, the Nat Security Council, the Cabinet & the Civil Service. Though the presidency is highly institutionalized, it remains the task of the Pres to make decisions & assume full responsibility for them, & to evoke the participation & loyalty of the citizens in their implementation. Though Congress has not lost its legislative role, the general policy-orientation & the initial impulse come from the Pres. The power of the Pres is circumscribed by constitutional provisions & legislative enactments. Other limitations derive either from the sheer size of the federal Exec or from the existence of independent units with important regulatory powers. B. J. Keeley.