The President and Surrogate Spokespeople

The president of the United States functions as the head of government, but his views, programs, and policies are often articulated by members of the Executive Branch. Included in the Executive Branch are the various Cabinet level departments which are headed by individuals appointed by the president and confirmed in their positions by the U.S. Senate (Janda, Berry, & Goldman, 1989). Through the various departments, e.g., State, Defense, Justice, Treasury, Homeland Security, the president acts to influence the policymaking process and to inform the electorate of his administrationÆs positions and actions (Janda, et al, 1989). In this essay, the use of these appointed executive branch surrogates and an unappointed, unofficial yet influential presidential surrogate in the case of the First Lady will be considered.

Early American presidents largely avoided engaging in public appeals or spectacles embracing what Cook (2002) characterizes as a nonplebiscitary conception of the institution. However, the contemporary presidency takes its message directly to the public, using appointees as surrogate spokespeople and also engaging pollsters, public relations specialists, press assistants, and the mass media itself in what Cook (2002) calls an ongoing or permanent and vigorous electoral campaign. Since 2001, when the United States was subject to a devastating terrorist attack, President George W. Bush has himself and through his surroga

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es media and other events to publicize activities designed to improve national security. Like others in the Cabinet, he frequently testifies on administration policies before Congress and is particularly active with the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, Toobin (2002) asserts that Ashcroft, unlike Rumsfeld, Rice, and Powell, approaches issues in broad generalizations, more in the manner of a politician than a lawyer. Again, Ashcroft joins other administration officials in frequent appearances on television news programs such as ôFace the Nation.ö Secretary of State Colin Powell has traveled extensively abroad in recent years. Powell has appeared in such diverse locations as South Africa, France, Israel, Jordan, and throughout Western Europe (State Department seenà, 2003). Powell is no stranger to the United Nations where he has made several key presentations supporting the administrationÆs foreign policy. Landay, et al (2003) contend that Powell is often perceived as in opposition to Rumsfeld and as somewhat marginalized in the policymaking process. Indeed, Cheney and Rumsfeld share a world outlook that is ideologically different from that of Powell. Cheney and Rumsfeld see the terrorist threat in much the same manner
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2379
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)