From Server to Political Appointee

The email that started it all from December 21, 2005:

Dana:

I hope you are still at this address. Do you have a job beyond Morton's yet? I am coming to DC and need a great speech writer??? Interested


My response:


George:

Good to hear from you. I left Morton's several months back and am currently working for a government contractor. However I certainly remember our various conversations regarding speechwriting and am more than interested in finding out the details of the opportunity you mentioned.

I am definitely very curious to discuss with you. When/where would work best for you?
Dana


What follows changed my life forever:

Dana:

I was recently nominated by the President to be the Under Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and was confirmed last week by the Senate. I am putting together a front office staff and need a jack of all trades to help with everything from follow-up, to project management, to speechwriting and someone with impeccable customer services skills. It would be a "political appointment" requiring background review and White House vetting and ultimately a security clearance. If you are interested in talking to me about it please page me at XXXXXXXXXX and leave me a message with a phone number and best time to call. I am anxious to check out your interest and move forward. This is the last position I need to fill.

George


What followed was a blur of disbelief and elation. Oh yes, waiting on the Director of Homeland Security for the State of VA over the course of 2 years resulted in a political appointeeship in the Bush administration. He liked my writing and knew that I was passionate about pursuing speechwriting. He also told me later that he also watched me very carefully at Morton's.

The night before my interview with the White House liasion he ticked off a list of traits he observed while dining at Morton's and watching me wait on him and others. He wanted me to keep them in mind during my interview. He was trying to deflate my nerves. After all, I was being vetting by the White House. I was competing with throngs of other qualified candidates who had political connections to the President and to others at DHS. But I had George's utmost confidence.

He prided himself on his superb judgement in people. He said that he selected me because of my attention to detail, the fact that, I "wasn't a wallflower," my conversation/political skills and knowledge, and apparent grace under fire. When he mentioned my cool head in very busy situations that he had observed in the restaurant I couldn't help thinking, "Thank God he wasn't ever anywhere near the service bar or the kitchen!"