Channels, Fall 2018

Page 88 Schwall • 21 st Century Javelin Catchers stronger emphasis on foreign policy during his second term. Tom Daschle, friend of both Obama and McDonough, believed the two were a perfect fit: "I think Denis's style and approach is exactly what the president needed and wanted. Denis's style is really the president's style. They give each other strength. President Obama really benefited from Denis's common sense and judgement and ability to manage all the egos that exist in any administration" (Whipple, 2017). Office of COS under McDonough. McDonough's tenure was marked with a number of scandals, including Benghazi and the IRS' targeting of conservative groups. McDonough balanced all four of the major roles of COS during his tenure but placed particular emphasis on his role of administrator and guardian. McDonough and Obama's relationship meant that McDonough was fiercely protective of Obama, which influenced his administrative capacity. Described by one journalist as a "guard dog with people skills," McDonough placed strong emphasis on protecting the president, but did so in a manner that did not make people feel excluded from the administration as a whole. McDonough's oft-repeated slogan, "One team, one fight" highlighted his administrative capacity as COS—all staff were working toward one "fight", namely, advancing the Obama administration's policies. There was no room for personal agendas under McDonough's command. Summary and Departure. McDonough served until the end of the Obama administration on January 20, 2017. McDonough's tenure highlighted the importance of a close relationship between a COS and his president. Discussion and Conclusion The formalistic model of White House organization has proven itself to be robust over the course of the modern presidency, including at least two (Bush and Obama) in which they initially sought to modify the formal staff hierarchy. Both presidents took office and attempted to surround themselves with multiple advisors who had access to the Oval Office. In the Bush administration, Karl Rove and Karen Hughes accessed the president outside of the formal staff hierarchy that Andrew Card toiled to implement. When organizational lines began to wane, Joshua Bolten, Bush's second and final COS, placed Rove within the formal staff hierarchy and oversaw White House staff during a second term marked by the Iraq War and the financial crisis of 2008. As a whole, Bush's chiefs of staff placed the most emphasis on their roles of administrator and guardian during their tenures. In contrast, the Obama chiefs of staff, in varying degrees, placed a strong emphasis on their roles of advisor and proxy. Chiefs Emanuel and Lew garnered significant legislative successes during their tenures, including the auto industry bailout, healthcare legislation, and multiple budget negotiations. COS McDonough was also a valued advisor to President Obama during his tenure, particularly in the area of foreign affairs, an area of renewed emphasis toward the end of his administration. The Obama COS who placed the most emphasis on his role as administrator, Bill Daley, was largely ineffective in his role. As an administrator, he alienated staffers with his corporate closed-door style and was never fully integrated to the Obama administration's goals. While President Obama actively attempted to maintain a more open organizational system, by the end of his administration,