Whether in a campaign, or in governance, political staffers work unfathomable hours. Commitment, the adrenaline rush of being at the nexus of power, and the hope of advancement compensate for 18 hour days.
This was the most challenging week for the new administration. The House Intelligence Committee held open hearings, their Supreme Court nominee testified before the Senate Judicial Committee, and their first major piece of legislation was coming up for a difficult house vote. Staffers were living on coffee, jolt, and cold pizza.
Jared and Ivanka were skiing. Kushner has a cushy office in the West Wing, and Ivanka's office is being decorated as you read this. Jared's White House connection is about to garner a 400 million dollar profit in a real estate deal with a Chinese company.
When the rubber met the road, their skis were gliding down the snow. Staff morale was descending even faster. The only thing cold and white for them, was the mozzarella on last nights pizza.
The following confirms the impact of Kushner on morale,
ReplyDeleteKushner’s Status Stokes Resentment
April 1, 2017By Taegan Goddard16 Comments
“In a White House where President Donald Trump commands reverence, Jared Kushner often refers to the president by one name: Donald. And while cable TV can dominate the president’s mood and set the agenda for senior administration staff, Kushner usually keeps his large flat-screen TV in his office turned off, a stark departure from other top aides,” Politico reports.
“Kushner, the president’s 36-year-old son-in-law and White House senior adviser, does essentially what he wants, having the benefit of not only Trump’s ear but — as a family member — his implicit trust.”
“But Kushner’s status as the big-issue guru has stoked resentment among his colleagues, who question whether Kushner is capable of following through on his various commitments and complain that his dabbling in myriad issues and his tendency to walk in and out of meetings have complicated efforts to instill more order and organization into the chaotic administration.”