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Chapter 12: Wilson AP Government and Politics. The Office of the President. Homework: Assignment #7 for tomorrow. Consider: Why does the President often not rely on the Cabinet as much as people might think? . Presidential Staff. Has grown immensely in this century
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Chapter 12: Wilson AP Government and Politics The Office of the President Homework: Assignment #7 for tomorrow Consider: Why does the President often not rely on the Cabinet as much as people might think?
Presidential Staff • Has grown immensely in this century • Double-edged sword: The more growth, the less control • Rule of propinquity – those who wield power are those in the room when the decision is made • Advisors, staff, others are only influential in relation to how close they can actually get to the president • Three main “arms” of presidential staff: • The Cabinet • EoP • WHO • Correspond to three “degrees” of propinquity; in reverse order…
The President’s Cabinet • What is “the cabinet”? • Created by the Constitution? • Where does it come from? • How did it originate?
Who’s in the Cabinet, generally? • What do presidents look for when making Cabinet appointments? • Why might some of these factors lead to a “cabinet of strangers”? • Who approves these nominations? • Are they likely to approve these nominations? Why?
Diversity in the Cabinet? Reagan: 33 total secretaries in 8 years • 3 Women (all white) 1 Black Male 1 Hispanic 12% Minority rate Bush I: 21 total in 4 years • 3 Women (all white) 2 Hispanics (one carried over from Reagan) 23% Minority rate Clinton: 29 total secretaries in 8 years • 5 Women (3 W, 2 black) 3 Black men 3 Hispanics 1 Japanese 44% Minority rate Bush II: 34 total in 8 years • 5 women (4 W, 1 black) 3 Black men 3 Hispanics • 1 Japanese (same person as Clinton) 35% minority rate Obama:16 total in 4 years • 4 women (1 Latino) 1 Black man 1 Latino 3 Asians 56% minority rate
The Role of the Cabinet • Have president’s relied heavily on their cabinet for advice? • Which cabinet departments have more influence? • Why? • What do we call these? • What factors might contribute to their “3rd degree” status?
The Executive Office of the President • These agencies report directly to Prez, but not located in the WH. • May or may not have intimate contact with him; some are large bucy’s. • The top positions are prez appointments, but must be confirmed by Senate • Overseen by the White House Chief of Staff, the EOP has traditionally been home to many of the President’s closest advisors. • Most important are: OMB, CIA, CEA, OPM, Trade Rep • Perhaps most important is OMB; responsible for not just developing the budget, but also studying and improving organization of executive branch • What factors might contribute to their “2nd degree” status?
White House Office • Personal staff of president • Hired and fired by president; no Senate confirmation • Located in West Wing…close proximity • Difficult to know how many • Consists of: Chief of staff, senior advisors • 3 ways to organize • Pyramid • Circular • Ad hoc • What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? • What factors might contribute to the WHO’s “1st degree” status?
