“Leon put the Clinton presidency back on track,” says Reich. “I think the most effective chiefs are self-effacing like Leon. They know that all of their power and authority derive from the president. They’re not there to make headlines. They’re not there to assert their own will. They are instruments by which a president can be more effective. And to that extent they are a rarity.” When he became Obama’s first chief, Emanuel set out to emulate Panetta. “If you ask me who I tried to model myself after, it would be Leon,” he says. “I loved Leon. I loved his humanity and his ability to be frank
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