I am assuming at this point that one of my colleagues has gotten the call from the Speaker's office, and that in 2 hours I will find out who gets to spend the next nine months hanging out with Wendall Primus. While there is a possibility that he has not yet made up his mind, the lack of a message in my inbox probably means that I am out of the running. It is interesting how I cope with that sort of stress- I externalize it, meaning I talk about it a lot, and that probably makes me a bit less fun to be around. I must get a handle on that.
I sent this summary to Marie today:
Thanks again so much for your skill in getting us an audience within the "Immediate Office of the Secretary". It really sounds like there is a lot to do, and that some of us will be able to make a contribution there.
I have not heard anything regarding the Speaker's office, Senate Finance nor Ways and Means. I am looking forward to seeing which of us will work with Wendall. It really was a privilege to get to meet with him. As you know, I am very interested in Senate Finance; if there is anything that I can do to enhance my chance of landing that placement, please let me know.
I have been asked to schedule interviews with Senator Stabenow's office and the Office of Legislation of CMS (Jennifer Boulanger, who we met when we visited the Humphrey Building the first time.) I should be meeting with them next week.
I have ra equests for interview out to Meghan Taira and I intend to send one to Rima Cohen. I will let you know if I hear back.
Have a great Thanksgiving, and thanks again for all of your efforts on our behalf.
I think that actually sums up my thinking so far. Senate Finance made me realize that, while it is fun to walk the corridors of power, I am really not about power for its own sake; I want the opportunity to make a difference for children. For me, there actually are better venues than the Speaker's office: Finance, Stabenow, CMS, HHS- all offer me a platform where I could make a difference. So, while I am disappointed that I wasn't selected (yes, I am that competitive), that choice will likely allow me to do more for kids than I would be able to do working for Wendall. Now what is taking the Senate Finance Committee so long to make up their minds? Could be that small detail called Health Reform. I can be almost certain that it has nothing to do with me.
And so, like Rick in Casablanca, we wait.
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Update: Great group meeting with Jocelyn from Jay Rockefeller's office; what a dynamic place that would be to work. None of us (Peggy, Barb, Shale, me or Sheldon) have heard from the Speaker's office yet, which led to much speculation that some other APSA Fellow was going to be selected. It did occur to me that Senate Finance may well have interviewed and accepted someone else. If I don't hear anything from them by next week, I will need to look into that. I have an interview at CMS in the Office of Legislative Policy next week, and Senator Stabenow wants to meet me next week as well. I sent my stuff in to Senator Rockefeller's office and the in Immediate Office of the Secretary at HHS. At least I know that I am still marketable and that there are still options.
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