Upon becoming President Richard Nixon felt that many departments were against him. He felt that the CIA were Ivy-league intellectuals and the State Department was run by too many liberals. He appointed William Rogers as Secretary of State because he was a good administrator and lacked any knowledge of foreign affairs. He tried as best as possible to keep both groups out of meetings. When Kissinger flew to China to open negotiations the Secretary of State did not find out until Kissinger was already on the flight.

(Book – The White House Years – Henry Kissinger)