How much do you know about presidential transitions besides what you hear or read in the news? Most media information is designed to get and keep your attention at a level similar to election season. Remember: news sells. Instead, let’s focus on some facts about the customary presidential transition.
Presidential transitions are primarily about four things:
– Building Public Trust
– Priorities
– Planning
– Transfer of Power
First, did you know that the Presidential Transition Acts of 1963 and 2000 gave the incoming administration the General Services Administration (GSA) for support during this critical time? The GSA helps the President-elect and the Vice President-elect prepare for their new positions by giving them a staff and a budget specifically for the time between the election and the inauguration. They need and receive help with everything from phones to parking spaces. The President-elect and Vice-President-elect also receive the GSA’s help with Inauguration Day plans and activities.
Similarly, the GSA provides help to the outgoing President and Vice-President with their transition out of office and to their new lives. You may remember that the GSA gives help packing boxes 🙂
Building Public Trust
A smooth transition sets the tone for a new administration. The President-elect and Vice President-elect have the opportunity to define their leadership team and goals and build a strong rapport with the public. Having researched transitions from the 1860s to the present, it is not unusual to see the incoming administration set their vision and move forward with whirlwind speed and intentionality.
Setting Priorities
While the future President tells the public of their priorities for the new administration during the campaign, they define more clearly which priorities are at the top of their list throughout the transition. They seek to build relationships with the incoming Congress. Remember, one-third of the Senate and the entire House have been elected or re-elected during the November election. New congressional leaders are chosen during the transition time, so the President must win support from these leaders for his top priorities. The President’s new Cabinet and staff nominees are important markers of a top concern.
Planning
Some of the planning must take into account foreign leaders. New coalitions may be formed, and old ones renewed. Foreign governments do not operate the same way as the USA. They are eager to see the new President’s vision for America and then try to align their goals accordingly. Some leaders will be against the USA, and others will want to enter into relationships with us.
Transferring Power
The transition time can build public support or hinder it. It can form relationships that move the country and the globe forward—or not. History shows that it all depends on how decisive and well-executed the transition is.
Tell us about your experience. Have you worked on a transition team or know someone who has? Maybe you studied historical presidential transitions and can add to our knowledge about smooth transitions!
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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