Dear 44
Stephen Hess knows a thing or two about presidential transitions: The Brookings scholar has advised every presidential transition since the Eisenhower White House.
It’s fitting, then, that he has some thoughts for the next occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. In his new book, “What Do We Do Now: A Workbook for the President-Elect,” Hess shares some the lessons he’s learned over the years.
Some of the more humorous offerings:
The perks of the job for incoming staff? “Great art. Make a call to the National Gallery as you move in to your West Wing office. Request a curator to drop by with suggestions for what paintings you should borrow for your walls.” And: “Cheap vacations. There are great places to stay in national parks, including the Virgin Islands. These houses were included in land acquired by the Department of the Interior and are now available to federal officials.”
Hess also offers some advice to the 44th president on how to successfully pull off a mea culpa. Although he says, “If you make a mistake and quickly issue a heartfelt mea culpa, it is possible that the media and the public will move on to the next story,” he adds: “The one exception to the mea culpa rule is President Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky. Had the president’s relationship with the intern been quickly confessed, the president would have been toast. His presidency was saved by a long stall during which the opposition overplayed its hand.”
Hmm….Maybe that “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinsky” line wasn’t as foolish as we thought.
