AUTHOR'S NOTE: I thank Jim Pfiffner for helpful comments.
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The Contemporary Presidency: The Personnel Process in the Modern Presidency
Article first published online: 19 JUL 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2012.03993.x
© 2012 Center for the Study of the Presidency
Additional Information
How to Cite
LEWIS, D. E. (2012), The Contemporary Presidency: The Personnel Process in the Modern Presidency . Presidential Studies Quarterly, 42: 577–596. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2012.03993.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 JUL 2012
- Article first published online: 19 JUL 2012
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
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.