Reagan's Cabinet: Mixed Grades

A few rate A's, but others are middling C's at best

Despite Ronald Reagan's intention to establish a true cabinet government, as he did when he was Governor of California, the need for central coordination of policy inevitably drew power from federal departments to the White House. Nevertheless, Reagan has tried to foster a sense of team play. In addition to attending frequent Cabinet meetings, most of the Secretaries belong to one or more of five "Cabinet councils" set up to coordinate issues that fall into broad areas. For example, the Secretary of Health...