The most powerful guy you never heard of

International Economy, The, Wntr, 2003

Normally, in the Washington power game, senior White House officials enjoy enormous clout precisely because, while never being quoted outright, they work the Washington press corps "on background." For the reporter, this steady information flow becomes like a drug to an addict. Fairly soon, press stories appear about how the self-effacing official is actually an awesome figure of near-historic proportions behind the scenes.

That's why the Bush White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Bolten is so mysterious. Clearly he is one of the five most powerful Administration figures, yet the press have largely been shut out of his professional life. As one reporter with frequent White House access put it, "After the Inauguration, he just stopped returning calls. Period. For all of us."