Young Republican Interview
Published February 14, 2005
After the inauguration, I returned to San Diego and prepared to graduate but within a couple days the head of the motorcade called me and invited me back to Washington, DC, to interview in the administration.
Ever met any famous political figures? What are they like?
I have met many famous political figures. When first meeting political figures they are almost always charming; politicians succeed by making good first impressions. For instance, I had a fairly long conversation with Senator Kennedy at an event. He knew that I worked in the Bush administration and so he studiously avoided politics. He was engaged, insightful and funny. Except in rare moments, most horror stories concerning political figures come from people who know them well. Many politicians are abusive to their staffs.
I find the behavior of famous political figures' staffs to be more variable and much more interesting. The worst I have ever experienced was Senator Clinton's staff. I cannot share the details but I had to work closely with her staff at an event and I found several of them to be hostile, rude, abusive and manipulative.
Who is the most influential person no one has ever heard of?
I will answer a slightly different question: "Who is the most influential person no one outside 'the Beltway' has ever heard of?"
John D. Graham is the Administrator of the Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). According to the OIRA website, Dr. Graham's responsibilities include "coordination of regulatory review, paperwork reduction, statistical policy and information policy in the Federal government." This may not sound like much but it means that Dr. Graham must approve every regulation that is implemented by the federal government. He has tremendous power to sculpt regulatory policy and control the burdens that the government imposes upon the American public.
I find that he is well-known in Washington, DC, but virtually unknown around the country.
Don't you agree it's a bit unmanly to like cats?
I think it is unmanly to ask leading questions. But to answer the question, it is manly, and quintessentially American, to maximize the utility of all things in nature including household pets. I may prefer dogs, but I have learned to appreciate the unique companionship of cats.Yeowch. Good one, P! I'm going to need a Band-Aid for those claw marks on my cheek...
Thanks for your answers, and your public service.
- Young Republican Interview
- Published: February 14, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Interviews
- Writer: Carpe Bonum
- Carpe Bonum's BC Writer page
- Carpe Bonum's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Well I was about to be impressed - until I saw it was anonymous. Just like in all media, anonymous sources suck - and there better be a good reason for doing it. There is not always and there isn't in this case.
He couldn't say that info on the record? Where's the spine, man?
Spines are not something very common in Washington -- and those that show they have half a spine are usually crushed in some sinister way. Ask John McCain -- he learned of it first hand in the South Carolina 2000 GOP Presidential Primary.
perhaps, but I'd rather hear someone talking freely anonymously than hear canned crap for attribution.
It's a fair cop about the anonymous source. But he is new to being published on the web (as am I), and is erring on the side of caution.
For myself, I don't especially mind if someone finds out who I am -- my emails are signed with my real name -- but I don't want to be too easy to find in Google.
Not yet anyway.
Thanks for reading the interview.
But we don' t know it's not all anon bull. I could put up a post about Mrs Q, a former White house sous chef - and make it all up. George Bush Senior REALLY did like broccoli, he was just playing to his base. Barbara Bush couldn't get enough pickled onions and pigs feet. Jenna and Barbara downed 30 shooters in 40 minutes etc etc - as pre-teens.
This guy is naming some names and none of it is flattering when he does.
Can anyone say paid off? The point is, who knows.
Especially on blogs, where there is no editing process, making it up is a lot easier than working at it.
Credibility baby.
And if its canned crap, well, there's that spine thing again.
Actually, the only unflattering thing he said was about Sen. Clinton's staff. He didn't name names in that comment.
I thought the comment about Sen. Kennedy was rather nice. And the comment about Graham is easily verified.
I can assure you P was not paid off to say anything in the interview. But since I am not readily identified either, that assurance will (correctly) still be crap to you.
Like I said, it's a fair cop. Readers should definitely consider the source when evaluating the statements.
I see it as an entertaining "celebrity interview" with th eposition rather than the person being the celebrity. It's funny and almost a parody of the form.
Aaman said:
Maybe he didn't want it known that he liked catsYep, I think that's really it. Who wouldn't be embarassed to let such a thing out!
In fairness, I should point out that my comments about Senator Clinton's staff contradict the venerable New Yorker, which on October 13, 2003, published an article by Elizabeth Kolbert who reported the following assessment of her staff:
"'People thought, Well, gee, she's the First Lady, she's probably
going to be very insulated,' Garry Douglas, the president of the
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, who worked with her on
the project, told me. 'But not only does she take our phone calls-on
occasion she calls us.' Douglas also said that he was 'remarkably
impressed' with Clinton's staff, an assessment that I heard repeated
from many sources."
At least the New Yorker cooberated their anonymous sources with an
attributable person.
Mr. P
how does one "cooberate"? would that be chastisement delivered in a soft lulling voice?
Hey Eric, at least we know that Dubya isn't the only member of the administration who needs to get Hooked on Phonics!
I believe getting 'hooked on phonics' is the root source of the whole malapropism issue, because English sure isn't a phonetic language.
As for the interview, I found it mildly insightful. It's like a snapshot of where I might have been at 27 if after working on the Hil in my early 20sl I'd decided not to flee in revulsion back to academia.
Dave
CB - Anonymous or not, I'll be delighted to read any and all further dealings inside the beltway.
My most important takeaway from this interview is the way in which Mr. P landed his job in DC. He prepared by leading a varied and interesting life, he hung around, he was assertive at the right time, and then got lucky. As far as I can see, that is the path to success for the Average Joe.
As a Varied Joe myself (academic librarian, writer, editor) I take heed and delight in success stories.
Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash
"Aren't you a little young to be a Republican?"
Who is 27! I beat him by 12 years!
This is a great story! I hope mine can be similar in 10 years.
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thanks cb, fascinating stuff - in the in crowd