1. The Cabinet and EXOP
WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THE
PRESIDENT?

2. Cabinet
 Cabinet tends to be used to ensure that the work of
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the executive branch is directed and drawn together
Membership includes...........
It generally plays only a limited role – it meets
infrequently and President may overrule it
Cabinet members may not have a close relationship
with the President
Unlike British PM not totally reliant on their support

3. EXOP
 Consists of personal aides/different components
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NSC, OMB and WHO
NS adviser used in different ways – Kissinger
spearheaded foreign policy initiatives with China during
Nixon; Clinton’s advisers eclipsed by secs of state –
Christopher and Albright
Can play a more significant role – why?
‘staffers’ in EXOP more likely to be long term associates
Cabinet members torn between their loyalty to the
President, departments and interest groups
Closer proximity

4. Evaluation points
 Presidents have used EOP and Cabinet in different
ways – Nixon overdependent on his closest aides –
Watergate affair
 Significance of Cabinet depends upon individual
style of Presidents – Eisenhower collective decision
making
 Reagan used Cabinet councils – 6-11 cabinet
members to advise & develop policy

5. Evaluation points
 Some Cabinet members have played an important
role in shaping policy eg. James Baker Secretary of
State 1989-93 close relationship with Bush snr; Rice
and Rumsfeld. Importance of bilateral meetings
 President is the sole source of political authority and
Cabinet has no formal role. Use of it is at the
President’s discretion
 Rallying and mobilising support for particular
policies

6. Evaluation points
 David Mervin ‘ Presidents have the gravest
difficulties as it is gaining control of a notoriously
fractious political system, without the expertise and
assistance of the EXOP they would helpless and the
US would be truly ungovernable’.