An Brief Introduction to the Executive Office of the President
No one will argue that the federal system of government has its flaws, and the American style of federalism is no exception. Our winner-take-all elections can sometimes leave a large percentage of the public feeling disenfranchised. The legal system (with the tiers of courts, overworked public defenders and frivolous lawsuits) leaves much to be desired in certain situations. The bureaucracy that impedes swift change can be infuriating. However, the three branches created by the Founding Fathers still operate in concert after all these decades of political infighting, public upheaval and overall turmoil that any nation encounters.
I've grown to appreciate the scale of the political games that each branch of government plays, and one branch, and in particular one office, has always held my attention. The Executive Office of the President represents a window into the psyches of the most powerful people in the country. The President of the United States, and the people that advise the President, shape policies that affect a nation.
Created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Executive Office of the President (EOP) was designed primarily to coordinate the growing staff of the President, and to give advice on the President's annual budget proposal. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is now responsible for that monumental task, and even has a blog where various policy issues are discussed. Over the years the EOP has changed drastically, and I would doubt that the first Presidents would recognize the new tools available to the 'modern' President.
Far from the staff of two or three that early Presidents had, the EOP has grown to include a staff of over 1,800 that operates with a budget of over $300 million. From the Council of Economic Advisers (particularly important in our current economic situation) to the National Security Council, the EOP plays a vital role in depicting the policy goals of the President, and helping him or her reach that conclusion.
Still, why should anyone pay so much attention to this particular facet of our government? Because unlike other areas of government, it is far more difficult to hold this Office accountable for its actions. If a Senator is accused of corruption, he or she can be ousted and replaced in a fair election. Should a judge be ensnared in a scandal, there are impeachment procedures that can be followed and a new judge can be elected or appointed and confirmed.
The staff of the EOP is not elected. With the exception of a few high ranking positions, the people that give advice to the President are rarely confirmed by the Senate. In short, the people that have the ear of one of the most powerful men in the world do not answer to the public. For that reason, they deserve special attention. Behind President Obama stands a team of men and women that can offer up years of political and professional experience. Think X-Men, but without the ridiculous latex suits. But who are these individuals that stand in the shadows of mystery, giving advice to our fearless Commander in Chief? (A comic book author I am not.....) People like Rahm Emanuel, the White House Chief of Staff, and Larry Summers, Director of the National Economic Council, have direct contact with the President on a daily basis, but to some all that is recognizable is their names. We'll surely get to know these gentleman a great deal more as this administration continues to show the direction their policies will take.
