An Honour and a Privilege

Very few people ever see inside the White House, and only a small percentage are not US citizens.

James Blake (class of ’03) is one of an even smaller group, he got to meet the Vice-President.

I visited in 2006, less than five years after the 9/11 attacks and at a time when security advice was still being given before visits to Washington DC, there remained a real concern regarding the capacity of international terrorists to conduct attacks.

The visit was part of a program, run by Washington & Lee University to teach how various political interests; civil society, lobby groups, media and governance overlap to help ensure Washington DC works within the balance of powers set out by James Madison and his fellow writers of the constitution. The program taught a wide range of subjects, everything from the reason for the grid system design in Washington DC through to meeting with various policy experts, former Presidential bodyguards, members of the media, Senators and pressure groups.

The visit took place on a weekday with all the high-level security checks done ahead of time (we had to give passport details some months ahead). Then there were standard airport style security checks at the front gate to make sure no sharp objects, or weapons were brought in, and they kept my passport until departure. There is a beautiful lawn in front of the building, and as we walked on a pathway past it you could see on the roof armed guards, presumably acting as snipers.

For the meeting the only specific instruction we were given related to the recent shooting accident involving Mr Rumsfeld (Secretary of Defense), we could not ask any questions about it but were encouraged to ask about how our internships related to White House decision making. During the Presidency of George W Bush, the Vice-President was particularly prominent in terms of setting the administration agenda and influential regarding the legislature.

As requested my classmates all asked questions related to their internships – relating to specific bills or controversial issues such as; immigration, the pressure groups or how the media could hold politicians to account. I asked about Iraq and the reasons behind the conflict. The thrust of his answer related to the fear of terrorists obtaining nuclear weapons and that the US populace needed to be protected. He subsequently thanked me for my question and told me it was very important that young people should show the critical thinking needed to ask why interventions were happening in one country but not the next.

Mr Cheney was the last to enter the room and the first to leave; and was accompanied by several aides, but he took the questions on his own. The atmosphere was very serious and sombre; it was quite intimidating, in part because there was so much I had read about the White House and Vice-President. Our group was usually a lively bunch but once inside everyone was slightly overwhelmed. One or two of the group admired him hugely and were giddy with excitement, gushing when asking questions but immediately silent and respectful after, I am not sure anybody dared to ask a follow-up. I remember feeling incredibly shy and very insignificant. I definitely felt under pressure and nervous when asking my question, but I am glad I did. His answer was firm and punchy but his second comment almost a tacit reassurance that you do need to ask tough questions.

My over-riding takeaway was that I had met a very powerful man who was both exceptionally bright and politically talented. Election to the White House requires monumental effort and sacrifice; of lifestyle, privacy and earning power. I have no doubt whatsoever that the administration of the time worked tirelessly to protect the US people.

We were briefly shown around some of the other rooms, and shook hands with the Vice-President, if the President was there we did not see him. The setting is stunning and I remember how bright the rooms were (powerful colours) and that they were packed with magnificent artwork and ornaments.

It was an absolute privilege to go into the White House and while I am sure the Mr Cheney remembers nothing about the meeting, I have a framed picture of it hanging at home!