The Executive Department(Staffing the Presidency)

“A little help, please!”

•To “faithfully execute the laws” of the nation, the president has developed the executive dept. Administrative responsibilities has increased the size and scope of it

The Cabinet

What’s missing???

What roles do the executive departments play?

The Cabinet• First created by Washington• Today, there are 15 major

departments, and 18 cabinet-level positions

• Has been expanded to include CIA Director, director of OMB, EPA, and WH Chief of Staff

• The heads (secretaries) are appointed by the Pres., but confirmed by Senate

Go to Activity: Choosing the Cabinet

The Cabinet

• It has no formal authority, not mentioned in Constitution

•Serves as an advisory body to the President, but has declined as main source

The Cabinet•Somewhat outdated for policy-

making•Meetings: general matters are

discussed•Secrecy and trust has become

an issue (differing POV? & leaks)

•Political appts, not very close to President

•Yet, still important roles

Some say the cabinet has “divided loyalties”?

• Are they the most loyal to the President?

• To Congress (funds their own depts.)?• To client groups (whom depend on

their depts.)?• To the dep. employees (deal w/all

day)?• Or…• President’s goals can conflict w/depts.!Get with 3 o’clock partner and answer the following…”I believe the Cabinet is most loyal to _________, because

_________.”

The Cabinet• Clinton nom. the first woman

Attorney General, result: “Nanny gate”

• Bush’s nominations showed he was serious about unification of country

• Obama: very diverse• Inner Cabinet: Sec. of State,

Treasury,Defense, & AttorneyGeneral

The Executive Office of the President (EOP)

• Is key staff organization• Created in 1939 by FDR

(Reorganization Act)• Congress passed to provide the

Prez with the staff necc. to coordinate the branch

• Prez have turned to it instead of cabinet, (becoming command center)

• (Provides specialized info, helps implement decisions and gain control over branch)

The EOP• Consists of the Office of the Vice

President & 10 other units• Consists of four major policy-

making bodies:• The Council of Economic Advisors

(CEA) leading economists• Prepare annual econ. report

Ben Bernake, now chairman of the Fed.

The EOP• The Office of Management and

Budget: OMB, largest agency• Prep. of the federal budget• Oversees congr. Appropriations• Policymaking ability!• linked to other agencies• Helps prepare exec. orders

Historic OMB building

The EOP• The Office of National Drug Policy• Recent addition, head known as

nation’s “drug czar”• National Security Council: NSC• Assists the President on foreign and

military affairs• Chaired by the VP• Confusion w/DOD

Some others in EOP

•The Office of Policy Development

•The Office of Science and Technology Policy

•Office of Homeland Security•Etc…

The EOP: Which office is the most valuable?

Who is this man? Why does he have so much power?

Andrew Card? Was the Chief of Staff…

Under Obama: Rahm Emanual to Denis McDonough

The White House Offices (WHO)•Serves the President most

directly & importantly•Managed by the WH Chief of

Staff• Inordinate power- controls

schedule•Even policy formation!•Personal assistants & advisors•Press agents, aides

The West Wing

Snapshots in the White House

Nixon at the old EOB bowling alley

The West Wing Reception Room

The WHO•Other staff: more than 600 who

work at the WH for support services (Inner Circle)

•From cooks to Secret Service•All appointed w/o Senate

confirm!

Obama’s male-dominated top advisors

The Clintons, back in 2004 with the resident staff

What are the two ways that the WHO might be organized?

•Circular method- “hub & spokes” used by FDR•Greater access & info, less efficient!•P.S. WHO appointments DON’T require Senate consent

•Pyramid approach- assistants report through hierarchy, ultimately gets to Prez.•Greater efficiency, less access!

Prez. assistants

Prez.

assistants

Pyramid approach

Hub and Wheel approach

The End…?