Translation English - German
Americans don't want a president to become too powerful; yet the country certainly wants him to have ample power to cope with all emergencies. In fact, Congress and the public constantly push at the President new authority to handle new problems.
One reason Presidents find it hard to surrender power is because it was largely forced on them by farmers, businessmen, working people who wanted government to act in a time of dire economic depression or military crisis. These groups turned to the one institution that seemed to be able to act.
The nation definitely prefers a President who is "a man of the people", a rather ordinary person with whom it can identify. But the nation doesn't want this man to be too ordinary. They not only want extraordinary ability and uncommonly gifted leadership, but they also want him to be better than they themselves are - to be someone they can look up to and respect.