1. Selection of the Cabinet Cabinet 15 secretaries Advise the president Administrators of large bureaucracies Vice President Other top officials

2. Cabinet Appointees Appointees should have: Background compatible with department Satisfy interest groups with a stake in the department’s policies High-level administrative experience May leak potential names Judge response of Congress, interest groups, and public Senate holds confirmation hearings

3. 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

4. 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

5. Executive Office Agencies EOP – 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

6. 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

7. Executive Office Agencies Council of Economic Advisers Assesses the nation’s economic health Predicts future conditions Supports other agencies in economic planning Other EOP Agencies Presidents create and destroy offices to meet their individual needs

8. 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