• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Shop
  • Jobs Board
Campaigns & Elections logo

Campaigns & Elections

  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Articles
    • Industry News
    • CampaignTech
    • Creative
  • Videos
  • Buyer’s Guide
  • Reports
  • Expert Database
  • Events
  • Awards
    • Reed Awards
    • CampaignTech Awards
    • Rising Stars
  • Consultant Directory
  • Become a Member
  • Shop
  • Job Board
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Avoiding the Clashes and the Leaks

The Obama White House will be chock full of big personalities and, naturally, some fairly large egos. It could be a recipe for some early disharmony—and for the most dreaded of all things in Obamaland—leaks.Between the personalities Obama has assembled and his stated governing style, Stephen Hess is one who sees the potential for trouble. Hess has worked in two Republican administrations, and he has advised on presidential transitions dating back to 1960 when he was an aide to outgoing President Dwight Eisenhower. He’s also the author of “What Do We Do Now? A Workbook For the President-Elect.” It holds recommendations on everything from decorating the oval office to managing staff. “It’s a crapshoot,” says Hess. “Nobody really knows with this set of personalities until we see them in action.”President-Elect Obama’s “team of rivals,” as some have called his cabinet posts thus far, might be great on paper, but big personalities don’t always play well together. For one, the selection of Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state is likely to marginalize the foreign policy role of Vice President-Elect Joe Biden who should quickly tire of ceremonial vice presidential photo-ops. When he does, don’t expect Secretary of State Clinton to offer him a chance to shape foreign affairs. It’s just one of many relationships that holds the potential to be contentious. Hess also notes Obama’s style of encouraging debate and deliberation among his top advisors. “[Obama] has what amounts to an academic model,” says Hess. “He conducts business the same way you might have an intellectual conversation. Everyone is heard and disagreements encouraged.”It’s not necessarily a bad thing, says Hess, but it holds the potential to create two major problems. For one, it slows down the decision-making process, and two, “it encourages leaks,” says Hess. “That’s going to happen and that starts to create the impression of an indecisive president, which [Obama] really doesn’t want.”The early days of the Obama administration will surely test that well-deserved reputation for discipline earned during a long presidential campaign. Shane D’Aprile is web editor at Politics magazine. sdaprile@politicsmagazine.com

Share:
FacebookTweetLinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

By
Shane D'Aprile
12/08/2008 12:00 AM EST
FacebookTweetLinkedIn

C&E Creative Summit 2023 Countdown:

Get Tickets

Most Read

  • Digital Organizing

    How Digital Can Help Thread the Needle in Virginia

  • Sponsored

    Combine Digital Advertising With Direct Mail, The SMART Way

  • Sponsored

    Political Comms Is The Premium Peer-To-Peer Texting Platform

Subscribe for Industry News Plus the Latest in Campaign Strategy & Tactics

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Become a member and get access to exclusive content.

Join Today

Footer

Upcoming Events

  • September 21

    Campaigns & Elections Creative Summit

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

For the latest in campaign strategy & tactics plus industry news and analysis, subscribe for free today.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow us

Follow Campaign and Elections for more daily content.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Political World Communications, LLC

Advertisement

Subscribe for Industry News Plus the Latest in Campaign Strategy & Tactics

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.