While many of us show up to work in cubicles tucked within bland office buildings, a chosen group of talented men and women spend long hours toiling for a singularly high-profile boss: the president. They work to enact policy changes and strengthen the bond between the president and the people. They document the world in pictures and help the administration operate like a tightly run ship. They seem perpetually tied to their BlackBerries. And no matter whether they work for a Republican or Democrat, the people employed by the president of the United States share at least one thing in common: A serious commitment to serving the American people. Here, a small selection of some of the bright minds who are currently working for President Barack Obama—what brought them to the White House, their roles, their expectations and their experiences.
BARACK OBAMA
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
How do you think the public’s perception of life in the White House differs from the reality?
I don’t know that they’re a lot different. I think the American people expect a president who’s focused, day in and day out, on running the country and making their lives a little better—but also one who can stay grounded and maybe get out from time to time to talk with them about what’s going on in their lives. One of the drawbacks to this job is how difficult it is nowadays to get out of the bubble and connect with Americans on a personal level. I try to do it as much as possible, but I can’t just walk down the street and visit a barbershop or sit at a diner and talk to folks like I used to do. That’s part of the reason why I sit down and read 10 letters each night out of the 40,000 I get from the American people each day. Their stories are pretty candid when it comes to the problems they face—but also about the hopes they have for this country. It’s a good way to stay in touch with the people we are fighting for each and every day.
You work with a team of talented people every day within your administration. How would you describe your team? What do you want readers to know about their efforts on behalf of our country?
We’ve got a great team. I’m fortunate to have an extraordinary staff across the board—from my cabinet down to the young folks working thankless jobs. All of them put their hearts and souls into our efforts, and they bring tremendous enthusiasm and skill to the office every day—sometimes 12 hours a day or more, seven days a week. They’re all eager to serve their country in what are some very difficult times for America. What’s just not covered enough is the sacrifice they make to be involved in public service. Some people have moved their families to be here and still don’t get to see them enough. There’s this perception out there that folks who work in Washington are all self-serving, but the truth is, the staff I see buzzing around all day came here because they deeply love their country and they’re willing to do just about anything to make sure it moves forward. We’ll have arguments about the best way to do that, and we’ll make mistakes sometimes—but their dedication on behalf of the American people is something that makes me very proud.
Who is the most interesting/memorable person you have encountered in the White House so far?
One of the joys of this job is that it gives me the chance to meet interesting people every day. For me, some of the most memorable have been the ordinary folks who have made a difference—the men and women who may not have a lot of money or power or hold political office, but work day in and day out to change their communities and their country. People like the wounded warriors I met who decided to bike across the country to raise money for their fellow soldiers. Or the veterans of the civil rights movement who came to see the Emancipation Proclamation hanging in the Oval Office and share their memories with the next generation. Americans who have been told again and again that they can’t do something, but who know from experience that step by step, little by little, each of us can make a difference. These are the people I think about every day—Americans who recognize these challenging times, but believe that we as a people have the ability to rise above them. Their stories keep me going, and it is an honor to serve as their president.
What is your favorite spot in the White House?
My favorite place in the White House is wherever I can be with Michelle and the kids—whether it’s seeing them off to school in the morning or having dinner together at night. I always say that one of the best parts about this job is living “above the store.” I can walk upstairs after a long day and spend time with my family—even if I have to head back down to the office afterward. It beats any commute I’ve ever had. So even though the White House is filled with history—and there are some absolutely beautiful spaces—my favorite part of the house is wherever Michelle and the girls happen to be.
Have you felt the presence—literal or otherwise—of the ghosts of presidents past?
When you consider the men who have lived in this house, and the decisions that have crossed this desk, it’s impossible not to think about the lessons of history. Lives have been changed, wars have been won and wrongs have been righted—all by people elected to occupy this office. Presidents have also made some pretty big mistakes, too. And so I think you can’t help but appreciate the responsibility that comes with this job. You are responsible for serving the American people to the best of your ability, and part of that means learning from those who came before you and doing your best to apply those lessons to the present.
Each president sets the tone for the White House. How would you describe the culture you have established?
One of the reasons I ran for president was because I believed that the voices of everyday Americans just weren’t being heard over the powerful voices of the special interests in Washington. As president, I have worked to make our government more open, more transparent, and more accessible to the American people. On my first day in office, we closed the revolving door between lobbying firms and the executive branch so that decisions in my Administration are based on what’s best for the public interest, not the special interests. We barred gifts from federal lobbyists to executive branch officials and appointees. And for the first time in history, we have publicly disclosed the names of lobbyists and non-lobbyists alike who visit the White House every day—because the White House should be the people’s house. For Michelle and I, that also means opening the White House up to as many folks as we can. Over the last year, we have welcomed tens of thousands of everyday Americans from across the country to the White House. We’ve hosted trick-or-treating and musical workshops. We’ve started a mentor program for high school students and White House staff, and we’ve created new digital tools so folks can watch White House events from anywhere in the world. Above all, we’ve tried to make people feel welcome. Because even though our family lives in the White House now, we’re only temporary occupants. It really belongs to the American people.