Three for the New Team

Geography and race become part of the equation

For his last four unfilled Cabinet positions, Reagan confronted several requirements. He had to mollify two regions, the South and Midwest, which were not represented among his previous nominees to head departments. He had to appoint at least one nonwhite. And, perhaps most difficult of all, he had to find people who were willing to begin carrying out his plan to dismantle the Departments of Education and Energy—in effect, eventually to put themselves out of jobs. Reagan managed to fill three of the positions but not Education. At least three people were considered for...

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