The Contemporary Presidency: The Personnel Process in the Modern Presidency

In: Presidential studies quarterly: official publication of the Center for the Study of the Presidency, Band 42, Heft 3, S. 577-596

Abstract

During a presidential election year, public attention naturally turns toward candidates and campaigns. The best prepared candidates, however, are thinking beyond voting day toward postelection planning. The task of transitioning to become president is enormous. On the personnel side, a new president will have to fill between 3,000 and 4,000 positions. In this article I review the current state of presidential personnel politics. I review the choices confronting presidents and how the personnel process is changing. I conclude by making suggestions for reforming the personnel system equally applicable to either party's candidate for the presidency in 2012.