Andrew Preston, The War Council, Ch2

Andrew Preston, The War Council: McGeorge Bundy, the NSC, and Vietnam(Cambridge:MA, Harvard University Press, 2006), Ch.2, 36-53.

McGeorge Bundy took a major role when US fell into the Vietnam War, however his powerful influence was indivisible to his position. As soon as Kennedy came to power in January 1961, his administration started to reduce the scale of NSC institution, which became too large and bureaucratic under the Eisenhower Administration. Kennedy reduced the number of NSC and gave NSC staff bigger authority to shape the foreign policy than before. The changes instituted during the Kennedy presidency gave Bundy authority as highest policymaker.in the administration. He performed more like cabinet member than just presidential aide.

At first, Kennedy thought to appoint him the Secretary or Under Secretary of State because Harvard professors and advisers recommended Bundy as the chief of the Department of State. Kennedy admired his intellect but appoint Dean Rusk the Secretary State after all, since he was too young for secretary or under secretary. As a result Bundy benefited from his position. Because Rusk was a manager rather than a leader, his natural reticence made it easier for Bundy and his NSC staff influence the decision making of foreign policy. Rusk's belief was that President shouldn't delegate excessively to the secretary of State. Bundy could mobilize the small NSC more than the Department of State to shape the foreign policy. As Preston pointed out, "ironically, during Kennedy era Rusk performed more like a special assistant of Eisenhower-era and Bundy more like the secretary of State.

After the assassination of Kennedy on November 22, 1963, new president Lyndon Johnson relied on Bundy and the NSC more than Kennedy-era, but Johnson's approach was a little different from Kennedy. He liked more personal and informal approach. Kennedy had already informalized the institution of NSC. Johnson relied on the Special assistant Bundy personally. As a result other NSC member's influence declined. President Johnson preferred to decide policy in front of as few people as possible. Bundy winning a President's favor played an important role in the Johnson administration with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Rusk.