Lead: The power of the American President in theory had few limits. It grew slowly over the decades. That changed drastically when Woodrow Wilson entered the White House. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: Considering his roots, Thomas Woodrow Wilson would hardly have seemed a champion of overweening Presidential power. Born in Staunton, Virginia in the years before the Civil War, he emerged from the Jefferson/Jackson tradition which placed high value upon state sovereignty, limited government, and confirmed trust in the wisdom of the people and its representatives in Congress. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [73.78 KB] Share