Presidential Support Staff Unit 4: Institutions

The White House

The Trump Era White House The White House Staff & Administration in the last 13 months has changed people more times than people can count. The Trump Administration is being called a “Revolving Door” Trump’s Revolving Door This Revolving Door is very indicative of the type of administration the Trump presidency is demonstrating

I. Executive Office of the President The Oval Office

The President’s World

White House Office/ White House Staff Immediate staff of President: Office space in West Wing of White House Proximity to President. “Rule of Propinquity”: power is wielded by people who are in the room where decisions are made Organization: Two general forms  Circular method (used by FDR and Carter, Obama): Pyramid method (used by Ike, Nixon, and Reagan, Bush 43):

Visual for Forms of Organization Circular Method Pyramid Method

Analysis of Methods Circular Method Pyramid Method The circular method allows for greater access and more information But at the expense of efficiency. Presidents (i.e. Obama) can become overworked and overwhelmed with details- losing sight of greater picture and their broad goals. Pyramid method allows for greater efficiency But at the expense of access and information. Presidents can be “kept in the dark” by “palace guard”  loses touch with nation

2. Appointments to the White House Office- Chief of Staff, generally do not require Senate consent The following appointments do require Senate confirmation B. OMB: prepares the annual budget and reviews federal programs NSC (National Security Council) NSA (National Security Agency) CEA (Council on Economic Advisory Council on Environmental Quality

II. Cabinet Definition: heads of the Cabinet depts. And 5 others who hold “cabinet rank” (OMB Director, CIA Director, White House Counselor, UN Ambassador, US Trade Rep) Each of these is appointed by the President w/ Senate consent Comparing U.S. vs European Cabinet Systems: C. In European parliamentary systems Hammers out policy w MPs MPs are part of cabinet

Const. ban from being members of Cong In our system: Const. ban from being members of Cong Interest is to empower their own depts, not hammer out policy for all stakeholders E. President influence over Cabinet is limited- Examples: Can fire appointees Little control over Civil Service employees Factors affecting selection of Cabinet Secretaries: Party affiliation Interest group influence Race Geographic diversity Sex “Confirmability”

III. Who gets appointed to federal positions? Dependence on staff recommendations Background of appointees

IV. Vice President

Only two constitutional duties: Traditionally VP is a dull do nothing job: “The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm spit”- John Nance Garner “I do not choose to be buried until I am really dead”- Daniel Webster on refusing a VP nomination in 1848 “…the most insignificant office ever conceived”- John Adams

VPs job is whatever the president says it is Importance of the office: 9/43 Presidents have not finished their terms of office VP can become Acting President if the President is disabled In recent years, Presidents (i.e. Carter, Reagan, Clinton) have made more effective use of VP. Esp Bush-Cheney Vice Presidency can be a stepping stone to the Presidency- i.e. Bush 41

Lecture DQs List and discuss the two methods of organization for the President’s office. Provide examples of presidents for each. Discuss the role of the Cabinet. Provide 2 examples that demonstrate the role.