then you have people like clay johnson. clay johnson was a close friend of president bush and had a sense of management. he and bush have gone to high school together. they had met in high school and then they went-- they both went to jail and then both took business. >> and chief of staff to governor bush. >> guest: he was not a political person. he was devoted to making sure the management aspect worked for bush. >> host: but, one person has the authority and responsibility and i think that was one of the key points. >> guest: so, in going out josh dealt with all of the white house operations, but for departments and agencies for some that work that clay johnson worked on through the president's management council as he was-- as deputy of the office of management budget, but which was he was at the end of the ministration. he chaired that committee, which is made up of all of the departments and most important agencies and so he had them come together in the spring and talk about the transition. what information did they

and then you have people, like clay johnson. clay johnson was a close friend of president bush, and had a sense of management. he and bush had gone to high school together. they had met in high school at andover, and then they waned to -- both went to yale, were roommates, and then both took business -- >> host: clay was chief of staff to governor bush. >> guest: he could come in and do personnel for him. he was not a mitt cal person. he was vie voted to make sure the management aspect worked for bush. >> host: one person had the authority and responsibility. that was one of the key points. >> guest: yes. and so in going out, josh bolton, who dealt with all of the white house operations, but for departments and agencies, for some of that work that clay johnson worked on through the president's management council, as he was -- as the deputy of the office of management and budget, which he was at the end of the administration. he chaired that committee, which is made up of all of the departments and the most important agencies. so

[null] been people like clay johnson who was a close friend of president bush with extensive management he and bush had gone to high school together in andover then they both went to yale. >> he would come in to do personnel for him and he is not political but to make sure the management aspect worked. >> one person had the authority and responsibility for the key points. >> in going out josh bolts of the white house operation department did some of that work that clay johnson worked on to the president's management council period the office of management and budget. he chaired that committee which is made up the department's so he had them come together in the spring to talk about the transition and what information and did they think the new administration would need? they would work through that and in the summer he sent out a memorandum directing exactly what they were to gather for informations that involve all parts of the government and to start early. >> execution with broad participation. >> so they could develop a consensus so what types of conferences will the secretary be in

. >> guest: they need to coordinate time to time like clay johnson, for example, dealt with karl rove and karen hughes to say well, i will meet you to tell you what i'm doing. because you don't want conflicts between those because the worst is when political people think here they are working hard for nothing, eating big macs and the dollar menu. the transition people have got all the lists of the positions and they will appoint other friends. that is what you want to avoid. >> host: with someone who has had the privilege to serve in a white house and serve the american people, i really applaud you and am grateful for this very serious and interesting and revealing book. "before the oath" how george bush and barack obama managed a transfer of power, which it successful transition and i was struck by your optimism and i hope that the current president and our next president to be heeds your good advice and counsel. >> guest: i think they will because one thing about presidents that unite them as they care about the institution of the presidency. >> host: they do. >> guest: that's how t