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In his latest book, Madhouse: The Private Turmoil of Working for the President, Birnbaum explores the inner workings of the White House by telling the individual stories of six senior staffers in the Clinton Administration. Some of these staffers played a visible role in the Administration such as spokeswoman Dee Dee Myers and political strategist Paul Begala. Others played a less public role such as chief congressional lobbyist Howard Paster and communications specialist Jeff Eller. What all these individuals have in common is the fact that nothing, not even working on a presidential campaign, could prepare the staffers for the pressure and burnout that results from working at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Birnbaum skillfully gives an insider's account of many of the major events of the Clinton Administration. Grand policy decisions that appeared plausible in theory, such as reform of the health care system, were suddenly dealt the severe blow of political reality. Additionally, Birnbaum narrates how the camaraderie that existed during the campaign waned as the bureaucratic nature of the White House pitted staffer against staffer in the decision-making process.
After reading Birnbaum's book, the reader learns why success as a White House staffer is fleeting. While the Secret Service refers to the White House grounds as "Eighteen Acres," the average job tenure of a staffer is 18 months. Before one can feel sorry for the staffer however, Birnbaum reminds the reader that the perks of working at the White House are immense. Plane rides on Air Force One and "face time" with the President of the United States make it difficult to sympathize with staffers. Also the job opportunities that arise following a White House staff position are much more lucrative than the possibilities open to most Americans.
Seth A. Mendelsohn is a lawyer in Harrisburg, Penn.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.