Brookings: Topics - Presidential Appointments

Advice and Dissent : The Struggle to Shape the Federal Judiciary

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Advice and Dissent explores the state of the nation's federal judicial selection system -- a process beset by deepening partisan polarization, obstructionism, and deterioration of the practice of advice and consent.

The Changing Face of the Federal Judiciary

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

With Justice Sonia Sotomayer confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court and President Obama set to fill a number of lower court vacancies, there is renewed attention on the demographic makeup of the U.S. judiciary. Russell Wheeler examines federal judicial demographic data from the Eisenhower administration to today. He concludes that while the face of the judiciary has markedly changed over the last 30 years, it hardly mirrors the general population.

Will Judge Sonia Sotomayor be Confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice?

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:46:44 GMT

Russell Wheeler says there is no doubt that U.S. Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor will be confirmed to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court. The real question is whether she will be confirmed by the October start of the court.

President Obama's Court Nominations

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:44:51 GMT

Russell Wheeler says President Obama’s nomination of David Hamilton to serve on the appellate court was a thoughtful choice but will still draw criticism.

How Might the Obama Administration Affect the Composition of the U. S. Courts of Appeals?

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following the announcement of President Obama’s first judicial nomination, Russell Wheeler offers clues to how President Obama might affect the composition of the United States Courts of Appeals. A reasonable estimate is that the proportion of Republican appointees could drop from 56 percent to 43 percent; Democratic appointees could rise from 36 percent to 57 percent.

The Next National Security Adviser

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the most important figures in Obama's administration will be his national security adviser. Ivo Daalder and I.M. Destler examine previous national security advisers to use lessons from the past on how to do the job right or wrong.

What Now? Choosing Your Cabinet

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Washington world is full of talented, accomplished people whose expertise in their fields is unquestioned – yet many fail as cabinet officers at the pinnacle of power. Stephen Hess advises the new president on where to look for cabinet talent.

Memorandum to the Next National Security Advisor

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ivo Daalder and Mac Destler give the next national security advisor (NSA) advice on how to manage a heavy workload and prioritize tasks that only the NSA is in position to perform. They argue that trust and confidence in colleagues, building cooperation and getting close to the president are all important aspects of the job.

Getting Infrastructure Bang for the Buck

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this opinion piece published in the New Republic, Robert Puentes argues that President-elect Obama has a tremendous opportunity to connect infrastructure spending to broad national goals (such as economic competitiveness and environmental sustaianability). In this way the federal stimulus dollars can accelerate the right kind of projects in the right places, creating jobs and waking up related areas of the economy.

The Politics of Presidential Appointments

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 12, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

President-elect Barack Obama now faces the daunting challenge of shaping a new administration. On November 12, William Galston moderated a discussion with David Lewis and Kathryn Dunn Tenpas to examine the basis on which presidents pick their political appointees and the impact of their choices on government performance.

Where Obama Should Find Cabinet Members

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Stephen Hess offers suggestions to the new president-elect on how to best fill his cabinet. Hess cautions Obama, who will need to fill twice as many jobs than John F. Kennedy did, to factor in diversity as well as political and managerial talent.

Transition Memo to the President-Elect

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President-elect Barack Obama will be besieged by proposals to reorganize government. Stephen Hess offers five tips for avoiding political minefields on the way to inauguration day.

What Will the Presidential Election Mean for the U. S. Courts of Appeals?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings expert Russell Wheeler offers clues to how a President McCain or Obama might affect the composition of the United States Supreme Court as well as the courts of appeals.

Restore Civility to the Selection of Federal Judges

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hot-button social topics often dominate voters' views of where presidential candidates stand on judicial appointments. Plus, as in much of U.S. politics, the process of getting judges on the bench has become cantankerous and divided. Russell Wheeler says that the next president should try to work with the Senate to restore civility.

How Much is Enough? Setting Pay for Presidential Appointees

Fri, 22 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

"Current appointees receive salaries worth substantially less than the incomes earned by early Nixon administration appointees," states Brookings Senior Fellow Gary Burtless, author of a report, How Much is Enough? Setting Pay for Presidential Appointees.

Problems on the Potomac: How Relocation Policies for Presidential Appointees Can Help Win the Talent War

Fri, 22 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Presidential appointees are subject to less competitive relocation policies than those in the private sector reports Paul C. Light and Carole Plowfield in "Problems on the Potomac: How Relocation Policies for Presidential Appointees Can Help Win the Talent War."

A Vote of Renewed Confidence: How Americans View Presidential Appointees and Government in the Wake of the September 11 Terrorist Attacks

Fri, 19 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Study Finds Public Confidence in Presidential Appointees Rising Dramatically in Aftermath of Terrorist Attacks.

A Vote of No Confidence: How Americans View Presidential Appointees

Thu, 06 Sep 2001 00:00:00 GMT

A new survey by The Presidential Appointee Initiative, reports that Americans are cynical about both the presidential appointments process, which they view as tortuously long and intrusive, and presidential appointees, whom they perceive as being selected for their campaign contributions.

First Impressions: A Look Back at Five Presidential Transitions

Thu, 01 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

In this Brookings Review article, Stephen Hess offers a quick survey of the highlights—and lowlights—of five first-term transitions and provides a roadmap to successful transitions.

Presidential Transition: Less Seems to be More

Sun, 25 Feb 2001 00:00:00 GMT

The contested election of 2000 provides an excellent example of what can be gained or lost by cutting the traditional 10- to 11-week transition period in half, argues Stephen Hess. President George W. Bush's transition has been remarkably smooth, compared with those of Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush. But the transition's apparent success belies the increasing difficulties in getting a new administration "up and running."

Posts of Honor: How America's Corporate and Civic Leaders View Presidential Appointments

Wed, 10 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT

""Posts of Honor: How America's Corporate and Civic Leaders View Presidential Appointments,"" reports about how America's civic and corporate leaders view the presidential appointments process.

A Survivor's Guide for Presidential Nominees

Wed, 15 Nov 2000 00:00:00 GMT

A Survivor's Guide for Presidential Nominees attempts to answer virtually every question someone might have upon being asked to serve as a presidential appointee.

Staffing a New Administration: A Guide to Personnel Appointments in a Presidential Transition

Tue, 07 Nov 2000 00:00:00 GMT

""Staffing a New Administration: A Guide to Personnel Appointments in a Presidential Transition.""

The Merit and Reputation of an Administration: Presidential Appointees on the Appointments Process

Fri, 28 Apr 2000 00:00:00 GMT

""The Merit and Reputation of an Administration: Presidential Appointees on the Appointments Process,"" released by The Presidential Appointee Initiative shows a presidential appointments process on the verge of collapse.