Unit 6
Chapter 8, Section 3
The Cabinet
Mr. Young
American Government
I CAN:
1.
2.
3.
Explain how the President selects
his Cabinet
Analyze the roles the cabinet plays
within the Bureaucracy
Evaluate factors limiting the
Cabinet’s role
Essential Question
 What
is the
purpose of the
Presidential
Cabinet?
 How has the
cabinet
changed over
the years?
Cabinet Videos
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x
xSvi6JCCfk
Obama’s Cabinet
Cabinet
General term for
the advisers
around any head of
state
 15 secretaries,
Vice-President, and
other top officials
 More than
advisers; also
administrators of
bureaucracies

Question
The
cabinet has changed
dramatically since
Washington was first
President. Why do you think
this has happened?
Answer:
The nation has grown and so has
its needs
Selection of
Cabinet





Needs to balance
political, social, and
management
considerations
Secretaries need to
have experience
Appointments need
to be accepted by
all
Geographic balance
such as race and
gender
Patronage and
party loyalty is
important
Role of Cabinet
As Individuals,
responsible for
head of their
executive
department
 As Group, serve as
an advisory board
 Depends on what
each president
wants from their
cabinet

Influence of Cabinet
Secretary of State,
defense, treasury,
and attorney
general make up
“inner circle”
 Will leak
(deliberately
disclose) some
candidates to get
reaction from
Congress and
public

Question
Why
do you think that the
former 4 cabinet
secretaries make up the
“inner circle” of the
Presidential cabinet?
Answer:
Deal with all the major concerns
the President will face
Cabinet Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7
Cda-u8acz8&feature=fvst
Essential Question
 What
is the
purpose of the
Presidential
Cabinet?
 How has the
cabinet
changed over
the years?