Staff

Sit Room sequence from House of Dynamite

Questions on the assignment.

On Wednesday, VP, FLOTUS, the Cabinet, and decisionmaking.  Read ch. 9.

If you want to play a part in the simulation, see here.

I have a lunch meeting, so we adjourn at 12:10.

The West Wing

The  EOB

Why do people want to work in the White House?

West Wing documentary

How do you get a White House staff job?

 Brandi Hoffine on her path to the White House staff (start at 7:30).

Why did 19th century presidents have practically no staff?  Lincoln had two staffers.

Brownlow Committee (p. 234).  Why did FDR need a lot more staff?

The Executive Office of the President Edwards 234-35

Chief of Staff  (237-239)

Dates back to Ike, developed by Haldeman under Nixon.

Dick Cheney picks up the story:

The roles of the chief of staff -- a lot depends on the individual president:

• Gatekeeper:  meaning?
• Insulator and scapegoat
• Advisor/guardrail

Comms (review from last week)

• Press Secretary
• Office of Communications
• Office of Public Liaison (3-cushion billiards)
• Clip from West Wing starting at 16:00

OMB

• Preparation of budget
• Domestic policy
• Regulatory review

NSC

• Role of Nat Sec Adviser varies with the president
• The Sit room