It was toward the end of January and our nation’s president was Bill Clinton. I was invited by the president’s staff and Secret Service to come and visit the West Wing of the White House. This was such an honor as the only people that have the chance of visiting the West Wing are the president’s staff, family, and friends. This area of the White House is very private and never part of a general tour.
In preparation for my visit, I had to begin the security process 60 days prior to my arrival. Finally, I was ready to depart for Washington and I would stay at the Hotel Washington across from the White House. My instructions I had when I arrived at the hotel were to call the Duty Director of Presidential Transportation. After contacting the department, a phone call was returned by Secret Service on the details of my initial tour that would take place at 8:00pm that night. At 7:30, a three -car hopper (small motorcade) was sent to take me over to the security shack at the White House. I remember how friendly all of the staff was but also their professionalism. As I proceeded to check in with Secret Service, I remember spilling my whole wallet of credit cards everywhere because I was so nervous.
My initial reaction when we got over to the West Wing was one of shock. The media was camped out for a story as the president was in the midst of a scandal involving an intern. The media was so thick on the east lawn that grass had been worn down to dirt. You could tell the media staging area had been through the mill in the previous months. Secret Service made the remark as we entered the White House that the press was from around the world covering the headlines. As one man opened the door, he told me that in most areas of the West Wing I could not use photography tough he would let me know where I could take pictures.
As soon as I entered the doors of the West Wing, I was greeted and welcomed to the White House on behalf of the president and first lady. Soon after I started my tour, my friend, a Secret Service man, started joking about the scandal and asked if I wanted to see the infamous pantry. I was shocked at how open everyone was about the current events. Several Secret Service men felt at the time it was not their responsibility to babysit the president, but to protect the president. We came to a communications area that laid out the blueprint of where the president, first lady, and Chelsea were. Someone had noted the location of Chelsea was at her dorm at school, but still protected by Secret Service. I remember how odd it would be for a college student never to be without Secret Service and what it must be like to go on a date.
Once we got to the Oval Office, I saw where the president would be sitting the next day when we met for the first time. I saw how the seats were positioned next to his desk to have a private conversation. Then my eye went to the family portrait of President Clinton, Hillary, and Chelsea and I realized at that moment that this was a real family going through a real tragedy. They had feelings just like I have feelings. Then I looked at what seemed to be a senior portrait of Chelsea. How was she affected by all of this? What was her life like? That night my heart was heavy for their family. I remember thinking of how embarrassing the situation had been for them. I often wondered if they would pull through and make it passed this difficult time. If the president has an affair and the whole world finds out, why would other politicians even try? Are women attracted to power so much they would jeopardize a family? Can you be in leadership without falling off the deep end? Is our human nature to destroy ourselves when we become successful?
Rob & MiMi 2010 Promo
I like reading how you see thing from a different point of view. Makes me think!
Thanks Ethan! Stop by often for more updates!