Through this address the president helps to set legislative priorities for the coming year. Beyond these constitutional functions, the president is also political head of his political party. This gives him the resources to deal with the congressional delegation from his own party. This is a formidable arsenal of power that makes the president the most powerful single individual on earth. Consequently, the issue of whether presidents are abusing this enormous power is a common issue in American politics.
Some recent presidencies illustrate the issue of presidential power and abuse of power well.
Richard M. Nixon - President elected in 1968 and left office in 1974. The press found him too secretive and opposed the attacks he levelled against the press as tools of the liberal establishment. What led to his resignation was a burglary of the Democratic Party Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel during the 1972 presidential election campaign. All of this led the House Judiciary Committee to support three impeachable counts against President Nixon. Before the full House could vote to impeach him, Nixon resigned from the presidency in August of 1974.