So how was your week? Mine? Busy. Started out casually enough with a game of basketball, dropping the kids at school, a trip to the gym. I did have to do that speech to a couple of hundred thousand cheering people but hey, I’ve been doing those for a couple of years now – no big deal.
Things hotted up after that though. The ‘to do’ list quickly got very long. Apart from finding a puppy for the girls and organising a basketball ring for the White House, you wouldn’t believe how much work there is to do to get ready for the top job.
First there were the phone calls to get through. Seems every world leader has to be able to tell his or her people that they have called the president-elect to offer their congratulations. I guess if I take their call it makes them look important at home. Thankfully, some just dropped me a note; the congratulatory letter from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was unexpected.
Then I had to start finding people to work with me in the White House. Had a big win early when Rahm agreed to be my Chief of Staff. Isn’t he just the image of Josh Lyman from West Wing! If Rahm can be as sharp and strategic as Josh we’ll be in good hands. Other jobs are harder to place though. I tried to track down C J for the press secretary role but she’s busy making movies. Sarah Palin probably thinks she has what it takes to be Secretary of State, but I’m not sure how well she would stay on top of things once she moved to Washington and lost her view of Russia. I doubt the “first dude” would enjoy Washington either as there’s not much to shoot in DC. So I’ll have to think about those jobs, as well as all the various advisory roles, for a bit longer.
Speaking of advice, it’s only been a week but I’ve had plenty. If I compiled all the ‘first five things Obama must do’ lists that the commentators and experts have put together, I’d have enough work to get us well into a second term. Must say it seems a bit odd, though. A lot of the expert advice on the financial crisis is coming from the same experts who got us into this mess in the first place. I’ve also received advice from all the living former presidents, the most salient of which came from from George Bush Snr.: don’t let your kids go into politics.
There’s a mountain of planning to do. We’ll want to get a running start as expectations are high and the only way I’ll be able to meet them will be to come up with something BIG. A ‘New New Deal’. The name needs a bit of work, I know. Sounds a bit like a game show these days.
My first week as President-Elect was wrapped up by a quick visit to what will be our new home: the White House. The Bush’s were very friendly and gave us the grand tour. I’m sure glad someone else will be doing the vacuuming and mowing or I’d never get anything done in my term! It was great to see the Oval Office too, and to have a chat to George about the Big Job. I did my best not to look or sound as if I owned the place yet. There is only one president at a time and I must let George see out his term. Gee it’s hard not to overshadow him though.
Print This Post
