3.3: Political Appointees
Reducing the Number of Political Appointees Other Information:
Summary: Presidents understandably want to fill political positions in the executive branch with those who have worked for
them and who share their political and policy priorities. But with three to four thousand appointments to make, the quality
of appointees, especially at lower levels, necessarily suffers. Political appointees at top policy-making positions are central
to Presidential leadership, but the key program and agency management positions require experienced managers who know those
programs well. Thus we recommend the reduction of the total number of political appointees in order to allow Presidents to
focus on those most important to policy leadership. In addition, freeing up positions at the management level will improve
career opportunities for the best career executives and encourage them to continue in the public service.
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