Crisis Management; Who is in Charge?
Abstract
The 1993 election of Bill Clinton brought to the office of the President a team of professionals, many very young, who had not held key leadership positions in the Executive Department for at least the last twelve years. Is the new President, or his staff, trained in CRISIS MANAGEMENT? Just who is in charge at the point of the transition of Presidential power? Remarkably, the smooth transition, in spite of crisis, from one President to another, regardless of party affiliation, is one of the lasting strengths of the United States. However, the elements of regional conflict and instant destruction by terrorist attack, for example, pose potential immediate concerns for a new President, especially a President (and Party) not immediately familiar with current Federal government functions. This report asserts crisis management of the first major crisis, faced by a new President, develops the blueprint for addressing any future crisis throughout the life of the administration. In addition, examining those transitions where a new President is also from a non- incumbent party provides a particularly useful cookbook of do's and don'ts for future transitions. Without the benefit of party regulars already in government, a non-incumbent administration must quickly develop its own method of crisis management. Analysis, greater familiarity and understanding of the problems facing Presidential transitions, and addressing these issues, could reduce the potential errors in strategic decision making, ultimately improving future presidential transitions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA278277
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Verbeck
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy