Unelected and unconfirmed, the White House chief of staff serves at the pleasure of the president. Hired and fired by the president alone, a presidency cannot function effectively without one. Award-winning producer and author Chris Whipple examines the role they play in his book “The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency" (Crown, 2017). Based on extensive interviews with all 17 living chiefs and two former presidents, it is the story of the inner workings of the Oval Office, told by those who stood at the president's side every step of the way.
James A. Baker, III, chief of staff to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, joined Whipple for a conversation about this unique fraternity and his former role at the White House.
A book signing followed the presentation. Copies of the book were available for purchase courtesy of Brazos Bookstore.
Follow the conversation online with #BakerGatekeepers.
Featured Speaker
Chris Whipple is a critically-acclaimed writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist and speaker. A multiple Peabody and Emmy Award-winning producer at CBS’ “60 Minutes” and ABC’s “PrimeTime,” Whipple is the CEO of CCWHIP Productions. He is also the writer and executive producer of “The Spymasters: CIA in the Crosshairs.” For this film, Whipple conducted more than 100 hours of exclusive interviews with all 12 living CIA directors and their top operatives.