Selection of the CabinetCabinet

15 secretariesAdvise the presidentAdministrators of

large bureaucraciesVice PresidentOther top officials

Cabinet AppointeesAppointees should have:

Background compatible with department

Satisfy interest groups with a stake in the department’s policies

High-level administrative experienceMay leak potential names

Judge response of Congress, interest groups, and public

Senate holds confirmation hearings

The Role of the Cabinet Advisory board to the president The Cabinet in History

Role depends on the President The Modern Cabinet

Attempt to increase cabinet’s role, but generally end up going elsewhere

The Influence of Cabinet Members Inner Cabinet

State, Treasury, Attorney General (Justice), and Defense

Outer Cabinet Less contact with the president Less influence

Factors Limiting the Cabinet’s Role Conflicting loyalties

Cabinet members also have loyalties to Long-term officials in their department Members of Congress Special-interest groups

Conflict between cabinet members Secrecy and Trust

Difficult to maintain secrecy with 15 secretaries

Generally turn to Executive Office of the Presidency and White House Staff instead

Executive Office AgenciesEOP – created by FDR in 1939

Attorneys, scientists, social scientists, and other highly technical professionals

Grown Rapidly Every president has reorganized and

expanded it More complex issues

lead to more advisors Federal programs

require work from many agencies

Executive Office Agencies Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Prepares the national budget Central clearance

National Security Council (NSC) Advise the president Coordinate U.S. military and foreign policy Directed by National Security Advisor

Office of Homeland Security Homeland Security Council

Headed by Secretary of Homeland Security Attorney general, FBI directors, CIA, FEMA,

secretaries of Defense, Treasury, Transportation, and Health and Human Services

Coordinates fight against terrorism

Executive Office AgenciesCouncil of Economic Advisers

Assesses the nation’s economic health

Predicts future conditions Supports other agencies in

economic planningOther EOP Agencies

Presidents create and destroy offices to meet their individual needs

The White House Office Staff is chosen by president without

Senate confirmation Most important aides

Chief of Staff Deputy Chief of Staff White House Counsel Press Secretary

Ensure president’s directives are carried out

Present the president’s views to the public Advise president on reactions in Congress Determine which issues and people

president sees