The Cabinet is a circle of advisors appointed by the President to head various departments and provide counsel. It includes 15 secretaries and the Vice President. When selecting members, Presidents consider experience relevant to the department and ability to manage people and funds. Over time, more diversity has been achieved, including the first female, African American, and Hispanic cabinet members. Nominees must be interviewed and approved by the Senate. While traditionally an advisory role, some strong Presidents have relied on other groups instead of the Cabinet.
2. +
What is the Cabinet?
Circle of advisors
Appointed by the
president
Made up of:
15 secretaries (heads
of various
departments)
Vice president
Other top officials
4. +
Selection of Cabinet Members-
things presidents look for in cabinet members:
Experience in the department he/she will head
Ex: Secretary of Interior-land and conservation
experience
Housing and Urban Development- from big city
Secretary of agriculture- from a farm state
Knows how to manage large groups of people
Responsible with $$$
5. +
Diversity in the Cabinet
Most have been white males- diversity
increasing a lot with recent presidents!
1933- FDR appoints first woman
Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins
1966- Lyndon B. Johnson appoints first
African American
Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, Robert Weaver
1988- Ronald Reagan appoints first Hispanic
Secretary of Education, Lauro F. Cavazos
6. +
Nomination and Confirmation
Presidentsselect their
cabinet members before
they are sworn-in officially
Nominees must be
interviewed and approved
by the Senate
7. +
The Cabinet’s Role
Serve of head of assigned dept.
Advise the president
Many strong presidents have not
used their cabinet for advice
Jackson- met with a group of
friends in the White House
kitchen-”kitchen cabinet” (video)
Lincoln- “I do not wish for your
advice on the main matter. That I
have determined for myself.”
Wilson
FDR- relied on professors and
his wife- “brain trust”
8. +
Inner Cabinet- Obama’s Crew
Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton
Secretary
of Defense
Leon Panetta
Secretary of the
Treasury
Timothy Geithner
AttorneyGeneral
Eric Holder