Presidential Resources

The Constitution vested all executive power in one president

With the growth of government activity since 1787 various institutions have developed to help the president fulfil his constitutional roles. but as President Truman said "the buck stops here" With the growth of government activity since 1787 various institutions have developed to help the president fulfil his constitutional roles. but as President Truman said "the buck stops here"

Vice President 'balances the ticket' in a presidential election but has no constitutional role apart from presiding over the Senate and brokering a tied vote 'balances the ticket' in a presidential election but has no constitutional role apart from presiding over the Senate and brokering a tied vote

'a heartbeat away from the presidency' - the main constitutional significance of the office is that the vice president will become president if the incumbent dies in office' 'a heartbeat away from the presidency' - the main constitutional significance of the office is that the vice president will become president if the incumbent dies in office'

 However, the office has changed somewhat in recent years: Dick Cheney was believed to be the power behind the throne in the G.W. Bush presidency

The Cabinet  The advisory group selected by the president to aid him in making decisions and co-ordinating the work of federal government, membership of which is determined both by tradition and presidential discretion

The Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution - it created a single executive but President require the opinion in of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon a subject relating to their respective departments' of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon a subject relating to their respective departments' ‘may’ writing

President Washington thought it helpful to have meetings with Secretaries of War, the Treasury and State plus the Attorney General. President Washington thought it helpful to have meetings with Secretaries of War, the Treasury and State plus the Attorney General. The press called them meetings. Every president since then has had a cabinet and held meetings The press called them meetings. Every president since then has had a cabinet and held meetings 'Institutionalised by usage alone' 'Institutionalised by usage alone' cabinet

How is the cabinet selected? 'No shadow cabinet waiting to take office' 'No shadow cabinet waiting to take office' Separation of powers - cannot be members of Congress - have to give up seat if agree to serve in cabinet Separation of powers - cannot be members of Congress - have to give up seat if agree to serve in cabinet

Need for Senate approval - cannot be too controversial Need for Senate approval - cannot be too controversial John Tower rejected 1989 John Tower rejected 1989

Advisory not decision making therefore less important to fill with political allies. (But usually choose people with shared political objectives) Advisory not decision making therefore less important to fill with political allies. (But usually choose people with shared political objectives) but can be from a different party to demonstrate bi-partisan support but can be from a different party to demonstrate bi-partisan support Ideological balance - different wings of party 'to inspire debate' Ideological balance - different wings of party 'to inspire debate'

Specialist knowledge and competence to head a government department (in UK chosen for political capabilities) Specialist knowledge and competence to head a government department (in UK chosen for political capabilities) Good advice eg Good advice eg George W’s education adviser was the head of the Texas state education board George W’s education adviser was the head of the Texas state education board In the UK PMs are more concerned with political characteristics and party support. In the UK PMs are more concerned with political characteristics and party support.

'Looks like America' 'Looks like America' race race Gender Gender Age Age Region Region but because of the need but because of the need for expertise it is difficult for Presidents to create a diverse Cabinet even if they want to

Functions of cabinet meetings for the president p They can engender team spirit. This is especially important at the beginning of an administration They can engender team spirit. This is especially important at the beginning of an administration It is important for presidents to appear consultative It is important for presidents to appear consultative Information giving and gathering Information giving and gathering Sometimes used as forum to debate policy Sometimes used as forum to debate policy

The president sometimes presents ‘big picture’ items The president sometimes presents ‘big picture’ items

What are the functions of the cabinet? Cabinet members are responsible to the president for the federal departments that they head. As such they: implement the president's agenda in their specialist area Cabinet members are responsible to the president for the federal departments that they head. As such they: implement the president's agenda in their specialist area

appear before the powerful congressional committees to represent the president's wishes and plead for funding and support for the president's policies appear before the powerful congressional committees to represent the president's wishes and plead for funding and support for the president's policies attend meetings with the president, if and when required, to give advice. Often these are bilateral meetings to advise rather than full cabinet ones to discuss. Why would the Secretary of State want or need to know what is going on in the Agriculture Department? attend meetings with the president, if and when required, to give advice. Often these are bilateral meetings to advise rather than full cabinet ones to discuss. Why would the Secretary of State want or need to know what is going on in the Agriculture Department? assist the president when full cabinet meetings are called to coordinate policy between the various federal departments involved in US government assist the president when full cabinet meetings are called to coordinate policy between the various federal departments involved in US government

How important is President’s cabinet? The power of the cabinet is not fixed and unchanging. The power of the cabinet is not fixed and unchanging. It depends on variables such as the personalities involved or the governing style of the president. It depends on variables such as the personalities involved or the governing style of the president.

How important is President’s cabinet? It is important to differentiate between the cabinet as individuals and as a group It is important to differentiate between the cabinet as individuals and as a group Clinton’s cabinet met rarely but as individuals some were very important e.g Clinton’s cabinet met rarely but as individuals some were very important e.g Madeleine Albright Madeleine Albright

George W, a relatively inexperienced Washington outsider, was willing to delegate to strong and experienced cabinet members George W, a relatively inexperienced Washington outsider, was willing to delegate to strong and experienced cabinet members Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice. Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice.

How important is President’s cabinet? Why? All executive power lies with the president No collective responsibility Cabinet officers are not rivals Members of the cabinet have loyalties other than to the president It has a rival EXOP Individually its members are very important – they run large departments and have huge budgets BUT THE PRESIDENT’S CABINET CAN NEVER BE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE

It is often said that presidents do not trust their cabinet secretaries' close links and loyalty to the federal department that they head and its permanent bureaucracy, nor their strong links with congressional committees and special interest lobbies because of their shared interests and close relationships. It is feared that they 'go native' or are captured in the so-called, where policies are made and executed to the benefit of all part of the triangle. Presidents are also aware of, where close links develop between the agencies and those they are supposed to be regulating (known as 'agency capture'). The presidential policy agenda is lost sight of in the process, with the president unable to exercise control. It is often said that presidents do not trust their cabinet secretaries' close links and loyalty to the federal department that they head and its permanent bureaucracy, nor their strong links with congressional committees and special interest lobbies because of their shared interests and close relationships. It is feared that they 'go native' or are captured in the so-called, where policies are made and executed to the benefit of all part of the triangle. Presidents are also aware of, where close links develop between the agencies and those they are supposed to be regulating (known as 'agency capture'). The presidential policy agenda is lost sight of in the process, with the president unable to exercise control. This is why presidents turn to their political 'cronies' and advisers in EXOP. This is why presidents turn to their political 'cronies' and advisers in EXOP. iron triangles 'clientelism‘

EXOP The White House Office (WHO) The White House Office (WHO) Often described as the 'invisible presidency', the WHO is made up of the president's closest aides. The key figure is the chief of staff, but also includes the president's speechwriters, congressional liaison team and press officers. Often described as the 'invisible presidency', the WHO is made up of the president's closest aides. The key figure is the chief of staff, but also includes the president's speechwriters, congressional liaison team and press officers.

The National Security Council (NSC) The National Security Council (NSC) Headed by the national security adviser, the NSC advises the president on domestic, foreign and military matters relating to national security. It competes for power and the 'ear of the president' with the State Department and the defense Department; this can lead to conflicts within US foreign policy, for example over the conduct of the war in Iraq. Headed by the national security adviser, the NSC advises the president on domestic, foreign and military matters relating to national security. It competes for power and the 'ear of the president' with the State Department and the defense Department; this can lead to conflicts within US foreign policy, for example over the conduct of the war in Iraq.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) The OMB constructs the federal budget, thus coordinating the legislative priorities and spending plans of the federal government departments and agencies. The OMB may provide different advice to the president from that given by the treasury secretary or the Council of Economic Advisers, which is also in EXOP. The OMB constructs the federal budget, thus coordinating the legislative priorities and spending plans of the federal government departments and agencies. The OMB may provide different advice to the president from that given by the treasury secretary or the Council of Economic Advisers, which is also in EXOP.

Why is EXOP so important to the president? The president relies on the advice and expertise of EXOP as an alternative to that coming from the cabinet secretaries, who may have conflicting interests. In contrast, the president trusts his advisers in EXOP, who are loyal only to him and his needs and wishes, and who follow his agenda The president relies on the advice and expertise of EXOP as an alternative to that coming from the cabinet secretaries, who may have conflicting interests. In contrast, the president trusts his advisers in EXOP, who are loyal only to him and his needs and wishes, and who follow his agenda

What criticisms are made of EXOP? The president can become isolated, remote and overprotected from the realities of life outside the Oval Office, listening only to his 'political cronies', who have often come with him into the West Wing from his home state, and taking advice only from them. Examples include Karl Rove, Bush's close adviser, and David Axelrod from Obama The president can become isolated, remote and overprotected from the realities of life outside the Oval Office, listening only to his 'political cronies', who have often come with him into the West Wing from his home state, and taking advice only from them. Examples include Karl Rove, Bush's close adviser, and David Axelrod from Obama

EXOP is unelected and unaccountable despite its huge power and influence, with few of its members subject to Senate confirmation or to congressional oversight as cabinet members are EXOP is unelected and unaccountable despite its huge power and influence, with few of its members subject to Senate confirmation or to congressional oversight as cabinet members are 'Policy drift' occurs, with disputes between the cabinet secretaries and their EXOP counterparts, leaving the president perhaps caught between the conflicting advice 'Policy drift' occurs, with disputes between the cabinet secretaries and their EXOP counterparts, leaving the president perhaps caught between the conflicting advice