Was DeNiro the 'real' president?

I keep seeing spin doctor all over the place, but it really seemed that DeNiro was the man in charge. That and the fact that Heche freaks out about the immigrant truck driver who she quickly has sworn in as a citizen.

The 'president' is told what to do continually, as if he is just an actor doing a job for someone else. The one bit of personality he does show is debating over whether to read a speech or not. Then he does it anyway.

I'm really curious if anyone else noticed this.

Just to reiterate.

1 - Heche says something earlier in the film about whether someone is a US citizen. I think she may have said it 3 times. The first time may have been during the Albania shoot.

2 - DeNiro basically pushes the CIA around as if they can't touch him.

3 - DeNiro never answers to anyone.

4 - DeNiro is the man in charge all the time. He chooses to have Hoffman killed. He has the 'presidents' plane diverted.

5 - Heche has the immigrant sworn in at the end. If there is some law about the president only working with citizens...who was on that truck? Hollywood producer, her, dead woody harrelson, and..DeNiro.

So..whatcha think?