Hail to the Chief: A Conversation With Presidential Insiders

Panel Context & Objective

• The session was a nonpartisan discussion at the Milken Institute Global Conference featuring Ambassador Stu Eisenstadt (White House insider for LBJ, Carter, Clinton, Obama) and Stuart McLaren (President, White House Historical Association).
• The goal was to analyze the constitutional limitations, evolving power dynamics, and external pressures (Congress, press, investigations) facing the modern presidency.
• Panelists explicitly avoided partisan critique, focusing instead on the structural complexities of the office across different administrations.

Definitions of Presidential Power

• Stuart McLaren: Defined the core of presidential power not as constitutional authority (limited to Commander-in-Chief) but as the capacity to act as "politician-in-chief" by mobilizing public support to pressure Congress.
• Stu Eisenstadt: Agreed that the most powerful presidents were those who mastered politics to leverage their constitutional powers, noting that power is easily dissipated by taking wrong turns or losing the political base.

Assessment of Specific Presidencies

• John F. Kennedy: Identified as the first modern "television president" who mastered the visual medium and generational shift, though he eventually relied on Eisenhower's counsel.
• Lyndon B. Johnson: Considered the most powerful due to his overwhelming 1964 mandate and ability to transform the social landscape (Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start) before his power dissipated over the Vietnam War.
• Jimmy Carter: Characterized as a "strong president" with a "weak view of politics"; he successfully negotiated the Camp David Accords and Panama Treaties by ignoring short-term political popularity but failed to mobilize his base, leading to a split within the Democratic Party.
• Bill Clinton: Possessed the full spectrum of political skill but saw two years of his presidency wasted fighting the Monica Lewinsky affair, demonstrating how easily power can be squandered.
• Ronald Reagan: Ranked highly for transforming the Republican Party, mobilizing international forces, and maintaining power for eight years despite the Iran-Contra scandal.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower: Noted as an example of shifting public perception; rated as one of the worst upon leaving office, now consistently ranked in the top five.

Key Historical Events & Diplomatic Achievements

• Camp David Accords (1978): Carter negotiated the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in 13 days; success hinged on isolating the leaders from the press, understanding their personal personalities (e.g., using family photos to appeal to Begin), and the willingness to make uncomfortable personal appeals.
• Presidential Advice: Eisenhower was summoned by JFK to Camp David for counsel; Carter consulted Ford and a young Bill Clinton, who advised him to stop focusing on "sacrifice" and instead "love politics and people."
• Judicial Appointments (Pre-1980): Carter appointed Stephen Breyer to the First Circuit in late 1980 at the request of Ted Kennedy, bypassing a divided party and a new Republican Senate to ensure bipartisan confirmation.
• Hostage Release Timing: The Iranian hostages were released one minute after Reagan's inauguration, after Carter's Chief of Staff was barred from the press room to clear the White House for the new administration.

Evolution of the Media Relationship

• Speed & Volatility: The transition from two daily news cycles (newspapers, evening news) to 24/7 immediate coverage (Twitter, social media) has eliminated the time presidents need to "season" decisions, forcing constant reaction rather than reflection.
• Partisan Fragmentation: The press has shifted from an era of generally objective anchors (Cronkite, Brinkley) to highly partisan advocacy outlets that reinforce ideological bubbles rather than informing a shared reality.
• Accountability vs. Advocacy: Panelists debated the press's role; Eisenstadt argued investigative journalism is essential for democracy by explaining how policies are formed, while others warned against the press acting as an instrument of advocacy or an "enemy" to the president.
• Walter Cronkite's Critique: The media has moved from telling citizens "what they need to know" to telling them "what they want to know," turning news into an entertainment medium.

Impact of Investigations & Scandals

• Historical Precedent: Investigations are not unique to the modern era; precedents include Teapot Dome and the Whiskey Ring under Grant.
• Political Cost of Impeachment: Impeachment is described as a dangerous act that can backfire politically; the impeachment of Bill Clinton resulted in a 73% approval rating for him and Republican losses in the midterm elections.
• Rule of Law: Carter's decision to allow an investigation into his own Chief of Staff (H.R. Haldeman) in 1980 without labeling it a "witch hunt" established a precedent for maintaining the rule of law over political expediency.

Education, Civics, and Historical Literacy

• Decline in Civic Education: Panelists noted a lack of federal curriculum and declining historical literacy, citing an example of a college-educated bride unable to identify a portrait of George Washington.
• Decentralized System: The U.S. education system's state/local control makes national initiatives like mandatory Holocaust education or civics difficult; only 8 of 50 states have mandatory Holocaust education compared to 31 countries globally.
• Presidential Libraries: The post-presidency library system, pioneered by Carter, serves as a crucial outpost for civics education and defines the legacy of modern presidents.
• Bipartisanship: The panel lamented the loss of "vital center" politics, citing historical examples of bipartisan cooperation (Reagan-Tip O'Neill, Carter-Howard Baker) that are rare in the current polarized climate.

Future Outlook & Calls to Action

• Electoral Responsibility: The restoration of moderate governance requires both presidential leadership (respecting the "loyal opposition") and an educated electorate willing to engage with opposing viewpoints.
• Teacher & Student Engagement: Effective change depends on teacher institutes and engaging local communities rather than waiting for federal mandates.
• Global Risk: Continued hyper-partisanship risks diminishing U.S. global influence as other nations operate with faster, less divided decision-making structures.