White House Madness

Posted on 01/15/2009 at 11:19 am by Bob Cesca

The Politico is reporting that the White House will be reverting back to late nights and all-nighters:

“It’s a throwback to Bill Clinton’s cramming-for-an-exam style, a shift from George W. Bush’s early-bird routine. Aides expect the workload to be so intense, at least for the early months, that they’re trying to formalize ways to help staffers stay in touch with spouses and kids — with ideas under consideration that include inviting family members into the White House for casual after-hours meals.”

There aren’t many people who could survive this as a matter of routine. So a poll…

Adding… I always had serious gripes about President Bush going to bed earlier than me. One of things I remember most from studying the presidency in college was this concept that no matter what we’re doing, we like to know that the president is awake in the Oval Office worrying about the country and working to fix things. It’s an abstract concept, yes, but it makes perfect sense. Even after September 11, President Bush never once even pretended to do this. Instead, he would gripe about “hard work” while sacking out at 10 every night.

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  • http://www.ieatgravel.com/ Alaska (I EAT GRAVEL)

    I get mad at myself when I sleep more than 6 hours a night. I’d try and do away with it altogether if it weren’t so unhealthy on the body.

  • SillyGit

    “Instead, he would gripe about “hard work” while sacking out at 10 every night.”Why did he run for a job that he so obviously cared nothing about?

  • Teaflax

    I just read somewhere that night people are far more creative than early risers, so this sounds good to me.

  • Teaflax

    SillyGit: He cared about the job, but not the work.

  • http://www.ieatgravel.com/ Alaska (I EAT GRAVEL)

    SillyGit: “Why did he run for a job that he so obviously cared nothing about?”That is an interesting question. Pardon me for hijacking the thread, but why do you people think he ran for President? Because he wanted to make his dad proud? A bet with a college buddy? A sincere love of his country?

  • LameDuckHunting

    I’m more of a night owl than an early bird – I function better that way – so this is easy for me. I do understand that many people don’t take to that schedule very well. But I agree with you, Bob, if you can’t alter your “schedule” to meet the crises you face as President, you are clearly in the wrong job and to bitch about the “hard work”…….really, how do you get your pants on with balls that big……….

  • Mike H.

    I hope he gets enough sleep.

  • http://www.windonwater.net/index.php?topic=178.msg857#msg857 QueenTiye

    Ditto for me, LDH. Even on days where I’m required to rise early – nothing really worthwhile gets done before noon, and I’ve been known to start some tasks at 10 at night (midnight baking/laundry come to mind).The glitch here is that the Obama White House isn’t talking about either early rising or late night working – he’s talking about both. And that leads to burnout. I think, among other things, the Obama White House is going to have to give staff flex days – days when they can come in whenver they feel like it and leave whenever they feel like it – minimum 4 hours of work. Staggering who gets which day – it gives everyone at least one day a week when they can catch up on missed sleep. Either that, or they can create a break room for naps.QT

  • LameDuckHunting

    Alaska, I believe he ran for the job out of sheer selfishness. He was an abject failure in EVERYTHING he attempted. Poor in school and a horrible businessman, he had to live in the shadow of his (comparably) smarter, more accomplished, brother, Jeb.It wasn’t to make his parents proud and, if he loved this country that much, he would have left it so as to do it no harm. It was to prove his parents were wrong about him being such a pathetic, worthless, ignorant loser.And we know know how well that turned out…..

  • LameDuckHunting

    “know know”……I need an editor editor……..

  • SillyGit

    Teaflax said:

    He cared about the job, but not the work.

    I agree. He wanted to sing the blues without paying the dues.Alaska brings up points I also consider valid.Don’t worry son. All you need is a good chief of staff to make all of the decisions and you can take all the credit. In fact you can spend most of your time in Crawford clearing brush.I’ve heard that early risers make outstanding brush clearers.

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    Now on my blog:This guy worries me.From article:Barack Obama suggested last night that removing Osama bin Laden from the battlefield was no longer essential and that America’s security goals could be achieved merely by keeping al-Qaeda “on the run”.More

  • http://watergatesummer.blogspot.com/ enigma4ever

    hey Bob…off subject- but I just wanted to know that I posted Your Awesome “Tide is Turning Video” today over at Watergate Summer as part of my Obama Countdown series ( it was and is still one of my favorite videos from election season…) Thanks…

  • thespacecowboy

    Kind of neat how the poll results are currently at 23% for “I need sleep or else I will die”.Coincidence? I think not.

  • frictionsoul

    I’m an early early bird:3am – 9pm with a 15 minute brain nap at 3pm.Can I work at the WH?

  • emsique

    Sleep is for sissies!Bush, being the addict that he is has to escape reality. If he didn’t do with drugs and booze, he did it with sleep and mentally checking out. He has been checked out completely for quite some time, letting the weasels continue to feast on the last scraps.