Word: panetta
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...entire domestic agenda from his post in the Old Executive Office Building. "Some people come to Washington to take over a department and don't know that they can't do much without OMB's approval," Darman once observed. "But they learn--some more painfully than others." Leon Panetta, Clinton's first budget director, wielded similar clout by virtue of his mastery of fiscal arcana, his understanding of Capitol Hill and his rapport with Clinton. When Panetta was elevated to chief of staff, however, his replacement, Alice Rivlin, lacked the political acumen to translate her economic credentials into real sway...
...Panetta's departure leaves an enormous vacuum, and Raines appears eager to take advantage of it. In a White House that churns out micro-initiatives every day, Raines has squelched the Administration's habit of making such announcements without checking whether OMB has sanctioned a plan to pay for them with cuts elsewhere. This month he stepped in to require a more thorough vetting of measures that would tighten food-safety regulations. "There were more people running around with their own little pet projects," says White House spokesman Michael McCurry. "Raines has reined...
...known, he would have prevented Chinese weapons trader Wang Jun from taking coffee with the President on Feb. 6, 1996, a meeting even Clinton said later was "clearly inappropriate." When it comes to blame, Lake may spare no one--not even White House chief of staff Leon Panetta...
...essential issues. But as even some White House aides admit, Clinton's traveling show is most effective when he's getting things done back in Washington--and most of that work is done in Congress. "He obviously has to go through Congress to get things done," says Leon Panetta, the outgoing chief of staff. "But he can't be seen as tied to its failings. He has to use the bully pulpit effectively and confront Congress effectively." As other aides point out, legislative action is required for 80% of the items on Clinton's to-do list: offering health-care...
...enemies or flaws. Still Clinton hesitated, turning over the mix to see if he had got it just right. As late as midweek, he was asking Senators and friends, "If you had to decide, what would you do?" It wasn't until 9 p.m. last Wednesday that he summoned Panetta to the family quarters and finally said, "Well, I've made up my mind...