Charles Michelson Quotes
The only way a President-elect is ever going to get the sort of cabinet he himself wants is to shoot out his list right at the beginning, consulting nobody and sticking to his first selections. The minute he begins asking advice he is in trouble.
Charles Michelson, Journalist, New York World, January 8, 1921
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Presidents have radically differed on their approach to key appointments. Roosevelt’s approach of swiftness was at one extreme, while William Clinton consulted with many and was extremely slow to make up his mind. In this particular case, Hanna wanted to establish his authority and the President, to diminish it. Roosevelt took the position that speed was necessary and there was not time to consult Hanna. Today, modern communications make that position untenable.
See {626594} for Polk’s negative view of delegation of any authority or responsibility.
Responding to criticism that he was not consulting sufficiently with the Congress:
She had used a number of different designers for her wardrobe until she was criticized for having no consistent theme and look. It was decided that she should select one as her fashion consultant and she choose Cassini and had to tell the others that they were no longer needed. See {592752} for a John Adams related quote.
President-elect Harding had sounded out Herbert Hoover's interest in becoming Secretary of Commerce. At the time, the Commerce Department was of relatively little importance, housing only a few scientific bureaus. Hoover placed conditions upon his acceptance whereby the department, and he, would be given much more authority and funding. Word of the negotiations leaked and Hoover was asked if he was placing conditions upon the President:
The issue of how the federal judiciary would be selected was one of the more hotly debated issues during the Constitutional Convention.
