Being President Is A Tough Job & Who Cares About Staffers?

July 13, 2009 / 10:08 am • By Dr. Melissa Clouthier

Good grief! President Barack Obama takes the mantel of the American presidency and suddenly it dawns on him and the press that it’s a “grueling” job and grueling for the staff, too? Where’s my violin when I need it?

What a bunch of pansy asses. Of course the job is tough. There are like, you know, lots of responsibilities, when you’re like, so totally the President and you know, leader of the free world. Like, duh! It’s also, I mean, seriously, tough to work, in such, freaking pressured-filled support roles.

See, being President is rigorous. Every moment is scheduled. All the decisions have potentially profound consequences. Words matter. Actions matter. Protocol matters. Precedent matters. Staff matters.

And you know what? No one wants to hear about how tough the job is. You wanted it. You got it. It makes you sound weak when you’re pissing and moaning five minutes into the job about how tough it is.

The whining also makes America sound weak. We’re not. While the relentless travel schedule, jet lag, weird food, strange customs, incessant coverage, arcane rules, tiresome protocols are no-doubt arduous, it’s embarrassing to hear you you complain about them. You wanted the job. There are people who would love to be tired from their work–if they could find a job.

Man up. Try to find some sort of dignified stiff upper lip. And then spare us your kvetching over your self-induced misery. It smacks of ingratitude and incompetence. Only six months in. Only six months in.

Posted in America • Political Animals

  • DaveR

    This is fridge and bulletin board worthy!!!

    Awesome!

  • Farruggio

    Don’t you remember how stressful it was the first time you had a job with any real responsibilities? Community organizing just doesn’t prepare you for that. Show the man some sympathy. He’s just getting used to the idea of being accountable, and the press can only shoulder so much of the burden for him.

  • DaveR

    He’s older than me and I’m 41. I was nervous at my first job at 15, and then switching jobs after the Marines when I was 25.

    I got over it by the time I was 26. Maybe because I don’t have to lie to anyone about what I was hired for or the job I have to do?

  • Nortrhlander

    Interesting how someone can spend over 2 years of their, their family’s lives to say nothing of thousands of campaign workers without understanding what the winning of the race would entail.

    It IS stressful when one is actually responsible for their words and actions, just ask anybody who is or was in the military, policeman, fireman, medical professional, construction, etc.

    Welcome to the real world President Obama where your words and decisions can result in the deaths of people since the bad guys care little what you, the New York Times, WaPo, and the networks think or say. No longer can you get by with voting present. Welcome to the real world of responsibility! Now be a man–quit your whining and join the world of grown-ups!

  • Lizardo Cheney

    How about both the president and you shut down the complaining?
    Follow the example of those vice-presidents who were willing to be wheeled around.
    That’s right, people, sit down and take it like a man.

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