A Tough Job

Being a press secretary is a tough job. This is especially true when your boss is a high-profile, much sought-after figure by the media and the general public. No supervisor better fits this mold than the President of the United States. No matter the specific person, there is never a time  when this leader is not in the spotlight. Even when they are not in the news - a rare time - they are the ultimate focus of attention. There is never a time when their actions are not being challenged, second-guessed, dissected or criticized. It stands to reason, then, that being the press secretary to such an individual has got to be tremendously demanding.


Almost daily on behalf of the President, it is the press secretary that fields an array of questions from the press corps that often reflects the range of intellectual and emotional attitudes of the general public. These questions can be hostile, fueled by anger, and complex. Despite the tone, because they are representing not themselves but the leader of the free world, the press secretary must do his or her absolute best to remain calm, thoughtful, articulate, and sincere in responding to what is asked of them as well as trying to put forth key messages on behalf of their boss. Such a challenge is never easy because so many are watching and often times it is being faced under difficult circumstances.


This perspective is triggered by the recent announcement by Jay Carney, President Obama's press secretary, that he will be stepping down from his position in the next few weeks. His replacement will be Obama's third press secretary. Regardless of the quality of his performance, Carney is to be commended for working as hard as he did in a job that takes a heavy toll. President Clinton had four press secretaries during his tenure and President George W. Bush had five. It has been said often that being president of the United States is the toughest job in the world. No one would argue that. At the same time, being that person's press secretary is also a most difficult gig.