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The President's assignments had Meese running day-to-day operations with the rest of the Government, Deaver managing the President's personality and Baker dealing with the press and legislation. The true work was much more subtle. Baker softened the ideological edges and was father confessor to the outside world. Meese was the conservative theologian in the chapel, reassuring his flock that he was whispering the true gospel in Reagan's ear. The ubiquitous Deaver negotiated and held the peace between Baker and Meese.
Do any of the troika worry about their successor? Not so far. One of the lessons they all carry away from the White House is that the presidency can work in different ways as long as the people at the center believe they are doing something that is more important than themselves.