The Man Who Ran Washington

"This book is a fascinating read. It provides both the story of what motivated Baker to serve and an in-depth look at the very powerful role he played in shaping the modern Republican party across many administrations. Many of the most fascinating details are based on newly declassified material. Get the weekly Five Books newsletter The Man Who Ran Washington is so important for understanding the cabinet. It gives us a firsthand look at someone who participated in the institution in multiple capacities, insight into how the cabinet functioned during two different administrations and how two different presidents worked with their cabinets. There’s no doubt that the rise of the chief of staff has shifted the role of the cabinet. The presidency is a very personal institution. The power of any given chief of staff depends on the person in the Oval Office and their relationship with cabinet secretaries. If a cabinet secretary like Baker has a very close relationship with the president, like he did with George H.W. Bush, they can circumvent the chief of staff. In White Houses relationships matter so much. The power and influence of presidential positions are not static. They shift depending on the individuals in office and their relationships with others in the Oval Office orbit."