Retro D.C.

Almost eight years ago I found myself in Washington DC with my father-in-law on one of his lobbying visits. It was the day before inauguration of George W. Bush, and we were scheduled to fly out the next day, hours before the event. I was sort of disappointed that I was going to miss what I viewed as a historic day. That evening we walked down the street to the White house and stood outside the gates chatting about the country and anticipated change the next few years would bring. At this time in my life I was in my last semester of college and was making preparations for law school, assuming some institution accepted me. I was working two jobs with a combined salary of 13 bucks an hour, my wife was a stay at home mom with baby Duston, and had not yet discovered the world of online shopping. Life for us was fairly…ok REALLY simple.

As we stood near the west wing entrance, two young men (mid twenties I assume) exited the west wing carrying a couple of boxes. I assumed they were Clinton staff members in the process of cleaning out their desks. As they approached the gate one of the men asked us if we were with the Bush staff. I said no, not really wanting to discuss politics with a guy who had just lost his job. He then asked if we supported Gore in the General Election. I realized then there was no avoiding a confrontation. My father-in-law informed them we were Bush supporters who unfortunately would be missing inauguration the next day. One of the men, noticeably irritated, snapped back at us that Republicans were a joke, and that he and his buddy would be back in four years. After making that comment the two just stood there in the dark staring at us. Seeing my chance to inject a little Tombstone dialogue into the conversation I simply replied, “Well……….bye……..” I am quite sure neither were fans of the Tombstone movie, because they stormed off without comment.

I realized something that night that had never dawned on me in four years studying political science. Politics in Washington is more than a struggle of ideals, good and bad, right and wrong, liberal and conservative. Politics for most of Washington is a livelihood which they will protect and defend as such. So much of what is done in Washington (both D’s and R’s) is driven not by ideals and new ideas, but by career politicians and staff that have the goal of gaining power and remaining employed.

As I watched the events unfold last night from the confines of my comfy couch I couldn’t help by wonder what the next eight years will bring. I realized I was watching the exact opposite of 2000, with yet another shift in power from one party to another. President Elect Obamma’s words were well written and delivered with eloquence. However, I still could not help but wonder how much of an influence the career organizers, politicians, staff, campaign contributors, and advisors would have on this new presidency. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. However, don’t be too shocked if we see more of the same.