Baker, Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver, and Counselor Edwin Meese formed the 'troika,' the key White House staffers early in Reagan's presidency. Baker quickly established himself as the most powerful member of the troika and the overseer of day-to-day operations, while Meese had nominal leadership of policy development and Deaver orchestrated Reagan's public appearances. Reagan tapped James Baker, who had run Bush's 1980 campaign, as his first chief of staff. Baker, Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver, and Counselor Edwin Meese formed the 'troika,' the key White House staffers early in Reagan's presidency. Baker quickly established himself as the most powerful member of the troika and the overseer of day-to-day operations, while Meese had nominal leadership of policy development and Deaver orchestrated Reagan's public appearances. Aside from the troika, other important White House staffers included Richard Darman and David Gergen.Reagan chose Alexander Haig, a former general who had served as chief of staff to Richard Nixon, as his first secretary of state.
Michael Deaver, James Baker,
Michael Deaver, James Baker,