The greater number of dissents by presidents might reflect a number of factors. For one, presidents have their own staffs, which can help support alternative views in preparing for a meeting. Board members share a common staff with the Chairman, and, being in the same building, perhaps have a greater opportunity to influence and be influenced by the Chairman.
In this regard, Bank presidents may act like "outsiders" more readily than Board members. At the same time, Bank presidents tend to be longer tenured than Board members, and can contribute the institutional memory one might expect from "insiders" when Board membership turns over rapidly. 3. Why so few dissents? FOMC members recognize the degree of uncertainty around their judgments.