. >> well, john hudak, let's talk about the rules. how is the president constrained by the rules that he lives by, prescribed by the constitution. what can he do? >> there is a lot of leeway that presidents have. there is a lot of discretion given to the executive branch to work on policies and work out solutions to problems that face america. and in that context presidents can wield tremendous authorities. there are tremendous areas, federal spend something one. the president can spearhead certain policy initiatives that he likes and use funding programs. >> using a measure of discretion of how funds are used. >> that's true for federal spending. it's true for regulation. it's true for directing actors in the administration to pursue certain policy ideals as well. >> laurie saunders, there is always attentio tension betweena of distributed power checks and balances and unfettered power of the president. >> yes, there is tension. i work a lot on the republican side of the aisle, and what you see is the fear of how obama has chosen to