The White House is arguably the most important single organization in U.S. democracy. Why, then, is it often disorganized, inefficient, and scandal-prone? What can be done to make it more effective? To answer these questions, Prof. Kenneth Lowande and Christopher P. Liddell engage in a conversation that bridges research and practice.

Bio: Christopher P. Liddell was a White House Deputy Chief of Staff and has been involved in three presidential transition cycles. In the private sector, he has been CFO of several major companies, including Microsoft and General Motors. He is author of "Year Zero: The Five Year Presidency." Kenneth Lowande is Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, and a Faculty Associate at the Institute for Social Research. He is author of "False Front: The Failed Promise of Presidential Power in a Polarized Age."