The American President's cabinet : from Kennedy to Bush

The American President's Cabinet examines the very different ways in which the seven presidents from Kennedy to Bush used the institution of the cabinet. It considers the way presidents appoint cabinet members as well as the conduct of cabinet meetings. It also studies the sometimes fraught relationships between the cabinet members, working in the various departments scattered throughout Washington, and those who work in the White House itself in the Executive Office of the President. A postscript on the Clinton cabinet is also included.

the American President's Cabinet Examines The Very Different Ways In Which The Seven Presidents From Kennedy To Bush Used The Institution Of The Cabinet. Kennedy, For Example, Virtually Ignored It, While Ford Saw It As A Vital Institution Which Fulfilled A Number Of Useful Functions. It Considers The Way People Get Into The President's Cabinet, Even Why A Surprising Number Decline An Invitation. The President's Cabinet Turns Out To Be A Fascinating Blend Of Strangers And Presidential Cronies. Dentists, Ranchers, Wall Street Financiers As Well As Some Politicians - They Make An Interesting Collection. The Conduct Of Cabinet Meetings Is Also Examined. Some Thought Them A Bore While Others Found Them Stimulating. Why The Difference? Also Considered Is The Sometimes Fraught Relationships Between The Cabinet Members, Working In The Various Departments Scattered Around Washington, And Those Who Work In The White House Itself In The Executive Office Of The President. A Chapter On The Clinton Cabinet Has Also Been Included.

"The American President's Cabinet examines the very different ways in which the seven presidents from Kennedy to Bush used the institution of the cabinet. Kennedy, for example, virtually ignored it, while Ford saw it as a vital institution which fulfilled a number of useful functions. It considers the way people get into the president's cabinet, even why a surprising number decline an invitation. The president's cabinet turns out to be a fascinating blend of strangers and presidential cronies. Dentists, ranchers, Wall Street financiers as well as some politicians - they make an interesting collection. The conduct of cabinet meetings is also examined. Some thought them a bore while others found them stimulating. Why the difference? Also considered is the sometimes fraught relationships between the cabinet members, working in the various departments scattered around Washington, and those who work in the White House itself in the Executive Office of the President. A chapter on the Clinton cabinet has also been included."--Jacket Front Matter....Pages i-xvi The Cabinet in Perspective....Pages 1-15 Cabinet Appointments: Kennedy and Johnson....Pages 16-46 Cabinet Appointments: Nixon and Ford....Pages 47-68 Cabinet Appointments: Carter....Pages 69-78 Cabinet Appointments: Reagan and Bush....Pages 79-120 Three Decades of Cabinet Officers....Pages 121-131 The Cabinet Meetings....Pages 132-161 The Cabinet and the Executive Office of the President....Pages 162-182 Cabinet Councils....Pages 183-197 Postscript: The Clinton Cabinet....Pages 198-215 Conclusions....Pages 216-227 Back Matter....Pages 228-263 This work examines the different ways in which the seven presidents from Kennedy to Bush used the institution of the cabinet. It considers the way presidents appoint cabinet members as well as the conduct of cabinet meetings, and also studies the sometimes fraught relationships between members.