Reply #163: COS is the gatekeeper [View All]

[Hawkowl]

A COS can make a huge difference. Traditionally he schedules the presidents time and appointments. He can prevent a cabinet member from getting a meeting with the president or allow only those who adhere to a particular school of thought to monopolize the president's time. (I'm thinking of the remarkable similarity between ALL the members of his economic team).

In other words, the COS can be the filter in which the president views the world.

I think presidents with a stronger personality will not be influenced by COS's as much. Weaker, or perhaps better phrased, less ideologically detailed presidents, will be much more greatly influenced by their COS.