Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What significant Cabinet shift happened this week?

2. What does Condoleeza Rice bring to the Cabinet that her predecessor didn't have?

3. What patterns do political experts see in second-term Cabinets?

4. What was unusual about President Nixon's second Cabinet?

5. How long have U.S. presidents had Cabinets? What is their purpose?

6. How has the power of the Cabinet shifted over time?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Much has been said of Condoleezza Rice's close friendship with President Bush. How might this relationship be both an asset and a liability for both her and the president? Explain your answer with examples.

2. Why do you think that the founding fathers included a provision for cabinet secretaries in the Constitution? How do you think the complexities of the modern world have shaped changes in cabinet secretaries' roles today?

Write a 500-800 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.