The Gatekeepers Summary

“It's not just about who wields power; it's about who controls access to it.” This book answers the question: How does the role of White House Chief of Staff shape the presidency?

1. The Role of Chief of Staff Transformed Under Nixon

Before Richard Nixon’s presidency, the job of Chief of Staff was informal and undefined. Nixon, seeking efficiency, tasked H.R. Haldeman with creating a structured and disciplined White House environment.

Nixon wanted to avoid the chaotic involvement his predecessor, Lyndon B. Johnson, had in day-to-day tasks. Haldeman implemented a system to centralize power, requiring everyone to go through him to access the president. This change ensured Nixon could focus solely on larger policy issues.

While efficient, centralizing power also had risks. Haldeman’s control couldn’t restrain Nixon’s paranoia, which culminated in the Watergate scandal. Although Watergate revealed structural flaws, Haldeman’s reforms became the blueprint for future administrations.

Examples

• Haldeman’s daily morning and evening briefings kept Nixon informed without being overwhelmed by details.
• He stopped "end running," which helped focus Nixon’s time and decisions.
• Despite his efforts, Haldeman couldn’t stop Nixon from approving illegal acts, such as paying off Watergate burglars.

2. Ford’s Chiefs of Staff Stabilized the Transition After Watergate

After Nixon’s resignation, Gerald Ford faced challenges of rebuilding trust. He leaned on Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney to restore order within the administration.

Rumsfeld brought a disciplined approach to the White House, taking absolute control of Ford’s schedule and decision-making processes. Dick Cheney, his young assistant, played a vital supporting role, ensuring effective communication and execution of policies.

However, Ford’s off-the-cuff speaking style still caused missteps, such as his infamous statement denying Soviet domination in Eastern Europe during a 1976 debate, which hurt his re-election chances. While Rumsfeld and Cheney organized the administration, they couldn’t fully rehabilitate Ford’s public image.

Examples

• Rumsfeld and Cheney implemented tight schedules that mirrored Haldeman's methods.
• The "Halloween Massacre"—a major staffing overhaul—was initiated to attempt to change Ford's fortunes.
• Ford lost the election by narrow margins despite Rumsfeld and Cheney’s efforts.

3. Political Inexperience Hindered Carter’s Presidency

Jimmy Carter’s refusal to delegate the Chief of Staff's role left him overwhelmed. Instead of appointing one individual, he tried to manage White House operations himself.

As crises mounted, such as the Iranian hostage situation and soaring oil prices, the lack of clear organizational leadership worsened the administration’s challenges. Eventually, Carter formally appointed Jack Watson late in his presidency.

While Watson was effective in organizing the White House, Carter’s presidency had already suffered lasting damage from poor early management, contributing to his loss in the 1980 re-election.

Examples

• Carter personally managed appointment scheduling, delaying decision-making.
• The Iranian hostage crisis highlighted the administration’s inability to respond swiftly under disorganized systems.
• Watson’s appointment brought late improvements, but it was too close to the election for meaningful impact.

4. Reagan Benefitted from a Transition of Skilled Chiefs of Staff

Ronald Reagan’s eight-year presidency saw critical policies enacted thanks to his Chiefs of Staff, each bringing unique strengths to the position.

James Baker excelled during Reagan’s first term, balancing Congressional negotiations to pass Reaganomics and calming economic fears. After Baker left, his successor, Don Regan, made controversial decisions, such as supporting secret arms sales to Iran, which led to the Iran-Contra scandal.

By Reagan’s second term, his staff stabilized under Howard Baker and Kenneth Duberstein, who redefined Reagan’s foreign policy legacy, advocating iconic actions like the “Tear down this wall” speech in Berlin.

Examples

• Baker utilized an assassination attempt on Reagan to rally political support for tax cuts.
• The Iran-Contra scandal marred Reagan’s credibility under Don Regan’s tenure.
• Duberstein convinced Reagan to publicly challenge the Soviet regime, a pivotal Cold War moment.

5. Leadership Failures Undermined George H.W. Bush

The senior Bush presidency struggled under ineffective Chiefs of Staff. John Sununu’s misuse of taxpayer funds for personal luxury trips tarnished the administration's image.

Sununu lacked the tact to maintain relationships, alienating staff and creating a hostile environment. His replacement, Samuel Skinner, was too passive to improve White House dynamics. Only the late return of seasoned Chief of Staff James Baker steadied operations during Bush’s failed re-election campaign.

These missteps, compounded with a tanking economy and Bill Clinton’s populist appeal, sealed Bush’s fate as a one-term president.

Examples

• Sununu oversaw early environmental policy victories but lost credibility over travel scandals.
• Skinner failed to energize or rally the team during Bush’s struggles.
• Baker’s return came too late to override the administration's previous turmoil.

6. Bill Clinton’s Humble Beginnings Led to Significant Recovery

Clinton’s first term began chaotically under longtime friend Mack McLarty, who lacked the authority to run the White House. Leon Panetta stepped in to establish order and rebrand Clinton as a focused leader.

Panetta’s discipline helped Clinton refocus and recover from early legislative defeats, but his deputies—Erskine Bowles and John Podesta—played key roles as well. Their work enabled Clinton to pass impactful executive orders, despite being held back by Republican Congresses.

By Clinton’s second term, his Chiefs of Staff focused on consolidating his legacy through environmental policies and landmark pardons, balancing the impact of scandals like the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Examples

• McLarty’s weak leadership resulted in public perception of incompetence.
• Panetta enforced schedule discipline as Clinton rebuilt his approval after 1994’s losses.
• Podesta expanded Clinton’s influence through executive orders and national park designations.

7. Cheney’s Shadow Over George W. Bush’s Presidency

While George W. Bush formally chose Andy Card as Chief of Staff, Vice President Dick Cheney held unparalleled sway over the administration's direction.

Cheney steered the post-9/11 War on Terror, influencing controversial measures like the Iraq War and Guantanamo Bay policies. Andy Card’s eventual resignation highlighted the debilitating tension between Cheney’s ambitions and traditional White House management.

When Joshua Bolten succeeded as Chief of Staff, he created stability by urging the removal of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and guiding Bush through the 2008 financial crisis.

Examples

• Cheney’s strong stance shaped post-9/11 security approaches.
• Andy Card became frustrated by being sidelined from major decisions.
• Bolten convinced Bush to replace Rumsfeld, improving public perception.

8. Obama Oscillated Between Compromise and Ideals in Staff Choices

Barack Obama’s efforts to balance experienced insiders with his progressive ideals led to varied outcomes during his presidency’s staffing decisions.

Rahm Emanuel’s pragmatism helped initially, but his centrist push and midterm Democratic losses marked his departure. Obama then turned to Jack Lew and Denis McDonough, who managed foreign policy priorities amidst Republican opposition in Congress.

McDonough played a crucial role in executive actions on climate change, Cuba relations, and the Iran nuclear deal. Yet, Obama’s domestic policy goals, such as gun control, often stalled even with skilled staff.

Examples

• Emanuel diluted Obama’s healthcare goals while seeking bipartisan buy-in.
• Lew’s brief tenure refocused budget negotiations toward fiscal policy reforms.
• McDonough helped execute the Paris Agreement and Cuba normalization policies.

9. Chiefs of Staff Shape Legacies

Across administrations, Chiefs of Staff have balanced organization, strategy, and influence, crafting presidential legacies by managing crises and ensuring focus.

Successful Chiefs like Haldeman, Baker, and McDonough enhanced the impact of their presidents, while failures like Sununu and Regan exposed opportunities for discord. Their actions reveal that strong leadership within the White House often determines the broader effectiveness of an administration.

Examples

• Baker helped Reagan avoid economic and political ruin through tax adjustments.
• McDonough facilitated Obama’s key international accords during his second term.
• Chiefs from Sununu to McLarty hampered political efforts through poor leadership.

Takeaways

1. Delegate authority wisely to reduce personal overwhelm and ensure key priorities remain on track.
2. Build a strong, centralized system for managing information and access, allowing leaders to focus on big-picture goals.
3. Recognize the influence of advisors in shaping legacies and choose trustworthy individuals who align with core values.