Cabinet
Intro to the Cabinet
• http://video.about.com/usgovinfo/What-Is-thePresidential-Cabinet-.htm
• 1 min 29 sec.
• 5 questions to follow!
Why the name "Cabinet?"
Cabinetto =
Italian word
meaning small
or private room.
Rule of
propinquity =
•Closer (physically) you are to
the president, the more
influence you have over the
president and the decisions
he/she makes or those in the
room.
Cabinet Room in the White House –
Each members name in on the gold
plate on the chair – President’s chair
has a higher back!
Does the Constitution provide for the
Cabinet?
• Not directly. Constitutional authority for the
Cabinet comes from Article 2, Section 2, which
says that the president"... may require the
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in
each of the executive departments, upon any
subject relating to the duties of their respective
offices."
Which president first established a
Cabinet?
George Washington held the first recorded meeting
of a "Cabinet" in 1791.
3 Original Departments:
State, Treasury, War (Defense)
And the Attorney General was
included
(later becomes the
Dept. of Justice)
How are the secretaries chosen?
• appointed by the president, but must be
approved by a simple majority (51%) vote of the
Senate.
• The only qualification is that a department
secretary cannot be a member of Congress or
hold any other elected office.
Factors that influence Presidential
Appointments:
• Party Affiliation - Democrats chose democrats, etc. (usually
80% or higher)
• Political Ideology –Liberal/Conservative
• President’s Policy Agenda
• Background of the nominee: Professional Experience,
expertise, education
• Political favors – rewarding personal or political friends
• Fulfill campaign promises
• Feedback from important party leaders
• Interest Group Input
• Securing a “safe” nominee – acceptable to the Senate
• Press coverage of nominee – positive or negative.
How long do the secretaries serve?
• As long as the president who appointed them
remains in office.
• Executive department secretaries answer only
to the president and only the president can fire
them.
• They are expected to resign when a new
president takes office.
Summary of The
Cabinet:
Cabinet: 15 Secretaries of the Executive
Departments, Vice President.
■All cabinet members must be confirmed by the
Senate. The Cabinet is not a Constitutional entity.
■ Responsibilities: Execute Presidential and
Congressional policy directives, advise POTUS (and
consequently Congress).
■ Requirements: All informal. Always POTUS
supporters, usually the selections are partisan.
■
Inside the White House – The Cabinet
Inside the White House…attend a Cabinet Meeting
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxSvi6JCCfk
• 5 min.
Research the Current 15 Cabinet
Departments • Use a “google machine”
• Visit the www.whitehouse.gov site
• Fill in the sheet
• DUE WED 12/3/14