Really Cool People..Continued

So I know I mentioned that food trucks would be the next blog topic, but I just had to post about this!

Last night I went to Lisner Auditorium and saw four former press secretaries to the President of the United States!  There was Dee Dee Myers, Dana Perino, Mike McCurry, and Ari Fleischer.  The spoke about the challenges of their jobs and the changes between the 1990's and today.

Interesting fact:  When Dee Dee Myers (the first female press secretary) took the podium for the first time in 1993 for President Clinton there were only 5 websites.  When she stepped down from the position in 1994 there were over 50 billion websites! My how times have changed!  (Dee Dee Myers is also who the character CJ Cregg is based from on the show The West Wing.)

It was interesting to hear about the thought and research that has to go into a job like this.  They all agreed that they constantly had to be 5-6 steps ahead of the press to ensure their words were exactly perfect and nothing would trap them later.  Dana Perino explained that the worst thing that could happen would be to not expect a question.

Ari Fleischer also talked about his experiences in 2011.  He had to take the podium the day after the 9/11 attacks, before the invasion of Iraq, and the numerous other historical events of those years.

They all also explained that the role of the press secretary is divided.  On one hand they had the president bashing the press and they had defend the press.  On the other hand they had to defend the president to the press.  They were constantly being pulled.

Dana Perino concluded the conversation by encouraging GW students to take advantage of the District.  She said take that job or internship that may not be the best.  Dive into whatever political issue you care about.

I agree!

I promise my next blog will be all about food trucks!

Until next time!
Kim