Remembering Ronald Reagan
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker looks back on his eight years working in the Reagan White House. Secretary Baker explains that one of President Reagan's greatest strengths was his ability to make those around him feel good about themselves.
Setting Priorities
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker notes that the Secretary of the Treasury has more latitude in determining what to concentrate on than does the Secretary of State. "You're a little bit more hostage to what happens in the world as Secretary o...
Reagan Triumvirate, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the way he, Ed Meese and Mike Deaver split up responsibilities as President Reagan's three most influential staff members during the first term of the Reagan presidency.
Government by Committee: White House Staff, The
In the long shadow of history, the White House staff is a relatively new aspect of the office. When George Washington wanted a letter written he summoned Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson to take dictation. With the expansion of U. S. government d...
President Clinton's Management Style
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about President Clinton's love of ideas and inclination to talk with people at all hours, often for far longer than originally planned. As a result, Secretary Reich explains, Pres...
Face Time With the President
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about the "...enormous competition in any White House, in any administration, for the President's attention." Secretary Reich says that, for the most part, he went through what he...
First Hundred Days, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about how important the first hundred days are for any new Administration. He also explains how the Reagan team laid out a very precise plan for their first hundred days, and stuck to it.
From the White House to Treasury
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about his move from the White House Chief of Staff job to his position as Secretary of the Treasury. He recounts how there was initially a degree of skepticism about his qualifications, because he hadn'...
White House Staff, The
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about the evolution of the White House staff. He notes that the staff was very small and not especially important back in the time of Lincoln. But beginning with the...
White House Chief of Staff: Challenges (Part Two)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker describes the challenges he faced as President Reagan's Chief of Staff, when the nation was dealing with double digit inflation in the early 1980's. He also talks about the very long hours the White House Chi...