Nixon's super-secretaries : the last grand presidential reorganization effort / Mordecai Lee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lee, Mordecai, 1948-

Series:

Joseph V. Hughes, Jr., and Holly O. Hughes series in the presidency and leadership studies.

Joseph V. Hughes Jr. and Holly O. Hughes series on the presidency and leadership

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994.

Nixon, Richard M.

Weinberger, Caspar W.

Lynn, James T., 1927-2010.

Lynn, James T.

Butz, Earl L. (Earl Lauer), 1909-2008.

Butz, Earl L.

Presidents--United States--Staff--History--20th century.

Presidents.

Executive departments--United States--Reorganization--History--20th century.

Executive departments.

Cabinet officers--United States--History--20th century.

Cabinet officers.

Executive power--United States--History--20th century.

Executive power.

United States--Politics and government--1969-1974.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (296 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

College Station : Texas A&M University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Watergate scandal of 1973 claimed many casualties, political and otherwise. Along with many personal reputations and careers, President Richard Nixon's bold attempt to achieve a sweeping reorganization of the domestic portion of the executive branch was also pulled into the vortex. Now, Mordecai Lee examines Nixon's reorganization, finding it notable for two reasons. First, it was sweeping in intent and scope, representing a complete overhaul in the way the president would oversee and implement his domestic agenda. Second, the president instituted the reorganization administratively--by appointment of three "super-secretaries"--without congressional approval. The latter aspect generated ire among some members of Congress, notably Sam Ervin, a previously little-known senator from North Carolina who chaired the Government Operations Committee and, soon after, the Senate's Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities--known to the public as "the Watergate Committee." Asserting that Nixon's reorganization effort represents a significant event in the evolution of the managerial presidency and public administration, Nixon's Super-Secretaries presents the most comprehensive historical narrative to date concerning this reorganization attempt. The author has utilized previously untapped original and primary sources to provide unprecedented detail on the inner workings, intentions, and ultimate demise of Nixon's ambitious plan to reorganize the sprawling federal bureaucracy.

Contents:

Introduction

Planning, November 1972-January 1973

Launch, January-February 1973

In operation, January-April 1973

Counsellor for Human Resources Caspar Weinberger: the super-secretary as assistant president

Counsellor for Community Development James Lynn: the super-secretary as presidential coordinator

Counsellor for Natural Resources Earl Butz: the dutiful and passive super-secretary

Demise, April-May 1973

Legacy and significance.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-60344-249-9

OCLC:

671236030