Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

graham4anything

(11,464 posts) Fri Nov 30, 2012, 08:44 PM Nov 2012

Why does a President have to have his cabinet choices confirmed anyhow? His VP is not [View all]

What is the rationale behind this?

Maybe there should be a right to force an impeachment of a cabinet member, but why is confirmation needed?

The cabinet works for the President who is elected by the people and is a separate branch.

Why does that person need to have congress' biased opinion to get seated?

(I can understand a federal judge, who is in office for life, but why a temporary cabinet position that is only in office as long as the President themselves.

Does President Obama get to radify who John McCain has working in his office?

34 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why does a President have to have his cabinet choices confirmed anyhow? His VP is not [View all] graham4anything Nov 2012 OP

edit to add-Title will be HER cabinet choice after HIllary wins in 2016. graham4anything Nov 2012 #1

Checks and balances pipoman Nov 2012 #2

Don't know history, elleng Nov 2012 #3

First, VP is an elected office in accordance with the Constitution... Agnosticsherbet Nov 2012 #4

but why? What is the rationale for it? graham4anything Nov 2012 #9

Why are circles round? H2O Man Nov 2012 #12

Jefferson had little to do with the Constitution. former9thward Nov 2012 #14

the declaration, whatever. graham4anything Nov 2012 #15

Then you would not accept the Constitution treestar Dec 2012 #29

ah!!! So you agree ALL the later amendments are as equal as the original. BINGO!!! graham4anything Dec 2012 #31

"One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind." davidn3600 Nov 2012 #22

At the time, men was a word that stood for the species... Agnosticsherbet Dec 2012 #24

Did that mean slaves were equal to men who weren't slaves? oops. NO it didn't graham4anything Dec 2012 #26

The Constitution is still the law of the land treestar Dec 2012 #27

The Constitution requires it davidn3600 Nov 2012 #5

The courts are one thing. The cabinet is another graham4anything Nov 2012 #10

Article 2, Section 2 is not limited to court appointments. Angleae Dec 2012 #34

Constitution 101, take the course ProgressiveProfessor Nov 2012 #6

When appointed, the VP is confirmed cthulu2016 Nov 2012 #7

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. Sekhmets Daughter Nov 2012 #8

It's ultimately about how much power a President should have.. PoliticAverse Nov 2012 #11

I think it works. It means that the President has to nominate someone that can garner enough votes hrmjustin Nov 2012 #13

andif the GOP owns the senate at that time, those people will pass graham4anything Nov 2012 #17

I like Kerry, but i want Obama to pick a fight with Susan Rice. hrmjustin Nov 2012 #19

They covered this in grade school. LeftyMom Nov 2012 #16

they also taught us the Declaration graham4anything Nov 2012 #18

It's a bit early to be incoherent, even on a Friday night. LeftyMom Nov 2012 #20

How is that being incoherent? Were you not taught the Declaration too? And what it said? graham4anything Nov 2012 #21

It's required by the constitution RomneyLies Nov 2012 #23

well, VP is an elected position... TrueBlueinCO Dec 2012 #25

James Madison thought it was a good idea. Article II, Section 2. nt msanthrope Dec 2012 #28

It's simple, really Proud Public Servant Dec 2012 #30

i think it's a good idea when it's not 100% driven by politics. today it's 130% driven by politics. spanone Dec 2012 #32

They occupy offices and departments created by Congress and exercise powers geek tragedy Dec 2012 #33