Cabinet moves to consolidate control

The rapid turnover in President Bush's cabinet may further centralize decisionmaking power in an administration already notable for the extent of White House control.

Second-term presidents, largely freed from the pressure to balance geography and political constituencies in their cabinet construction, often staff some of these open posts with proven loyalists. That way they can feel more comfortable in cabinet meetings - while rewarding those close to them with a bump up in authority and prestige.

This may make executive branch management more efficient and harmonious. It can also homogenize the advice a president receives. "It tightens the noose around policy decisions," says G. Calvin Mackenzie, a Colby College professor of government and expert in presidential appointments.

The turnover count in the Bush cabinet, at time of writing, was six. In the most notable move, Condoleezza Rice, current national security adviser and one of the president's most trusted aides, is set to replace Colin Powell as secretary of State, pending Senate confirmation.

Current White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, who Bush, as a governor, appointed to the Texas Supreme Court, is up to replace the sometimes-independent-minded John Ashcroft at Justice. There are also vacancy signs at the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Energy, and Commerce.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld appears set to stay, at least for now. But in Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson are widely thought to be next in line to leave. The White House may just be biding its time before announcing further changes, in order to avoid the appearance of a stampede toward the exits.

Given that presidents have been constitutionally limited to two terms only relatively recently, historically speaking, it's difficult to say with precision what normal cabinet turnover is for a reelected chief executive. But Bush's cabinet was unusually stable throughout his first term, experts note. That's especially true in light of the fact that the administration is Republican. GOP administrations tend to have more turnover, says Prof. Mackenzie.

"Republicans don't like serving in government as much as Democrats. They tend to leave and go back to the private sector," he says.

In this context, the current cabinet shuffle may reflect pent-up demand. A change of eight to 10 seats would be comparable to historical examples, according to political scientists.

"It looks to me like turnover will be similar to other terms," says James Pfiffner, a professor of government at George Mason University in Virginia.

Page: 1 | 2