Presidential Advisers and the Johnson Presidency

Event Details

John Macy, founder of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, the first director of FEMA during Carter?s presidency and a former White House advisor on personnel policy, discusses the role of presidential advisors focusing on the Johnson years. He mentions that Johnson was very interested in the process of staffing his administration while reminding us that people occupying crucial government positions are not elected but recommended by the president. Since convincing people outside the government to accept positions in the public sector is difficult for various reasons, Macy suggests that greater exposure to the government be given to those rising in the corporate world, as well as college students, through interchange programs. Likewise, he believes a greater consideration should be given to those in career services for presidential appointments. He ends by urging better communication between outgoing and incoming administrations since no background information on many positions are transferred. In the Q&A section, Macy talks about honoring citizens, Watergate, the tendency for the White House staff office to over-extend itself, judicial and ambassadorial appointments, special interest groups, and Presidents Johnson and Carter.