The Presidents' Cabinet

I.    Introduction

    A.    Constitutional Silence

    B.    Presidential Usage

        1.     Washington's "customary meetings"

                (operational and advisory functions established)

        2.    Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet"

        3.    Lincon's War Cabinet

        4.    FDR's "gossip sessions"                

        5.    Ike's "staff" approach

        6.    Nixon's problem with cabinet "marrying the natives"

    C.    The Myth of Collective Leadership

II.    Selection of Cabinet Officials -- Strategies

    A.    Administration Solidarity

    B.    Geographic Diversity

    C.    Party Reconciliation

    D.    Personal Skills/Reputation

    E.    Gender and Ethnic Diversity

    F.    Ideology

III.    Roles of Cabinet Office

    A.    Individual Responsibilities

        1.    Department Manager

        2.    Public Relations

        3.     Congressional Witnesses

        4.     Presidential Advisor

    B.    Collective Responsibilities

        1.    Policy Development

        2.    Policy Coordination

   D    Three Potential Purposes of Meetings

        1.    Issue Discussion and Information Exchange

                (HST, JFK, LBJ, RN, JF)

        2.    Focused Consideration of Specific Issues

                (Ike, JC in early months)

        3.    Summit Discussion of Interdepartmentally Researched Issue Papers

E.    Inner v. Outer Cabinet

        1.    Inner Cabinet

            a.     State

            b.     Treasury

            c.     Justice

            d.     Defense

        2.    Outer -- All Others