George Bush's position on Cabinet Members

Cabinet Members: Throughout history, the presidents' cabinet members have always been in just enough focus to be seen by the public while advising our presidents on complex problems. When a president is elected, sixteen department heads are also elected who solve problems related to the duties of their respective offices. Each has strong influence in deciding policy of the president.

Description of candidate's position: President Bush has stood by his members of the cabinet. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, Department of Justice John Ashcroft, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham, Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Secretary of Treasury John Snow, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Anthony Principi, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson, and Vice President Dick Cheney all make up the President's cabinet. They have all been behind the plans and policies of the Bush Administration such as the Patriot Act (John Ashcroft), the handling of the war in Iraq (Donald Rumsfeld and Colin Powell), and the decision to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (Gale Norton).

Quotation from the Candidate: "We've got a diverse cabinet, diverse administration, people who serve our nation with dignity. And when it comes to national security, thankfully I've had a good team. We've had some big challenges in this country. And I've got a strong foreign policy, because the architects of that policy are people like Condi Rice and Colin Powell. These are good people. I've seen them -- I've seen them under incredible pressure. I know their steadiness and their clear vision." Link

Assessment of the Proposal:

Positive: Democratic Georgia Senator Zell Miller shows full support for the war and has therefore endorses President Bush and as well as Rumsfeld's decisions about the war. Link

Negative: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is against the Patriot Act saying it takes away our civil liberties, therefore they would back Kerry's legislation to revise it. Link

Comparison: The policies of the Bush Administration and the would-be policies of a Kerry Administration would differ in many areas. Each of their cabinets clearly would advocate their different ideas on the war in Iraq, the Patriot Act, the decision to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, and many more.

Link to Kerry Cabinet Members