In a lively and engaging conversation, Penn students were given a rare inside glimpse into life on Capitol Hill and in the West Wing last night.
The Penn Israel Coalition presented two former senior White House officials in Huntsman Hall. Noam Neusner was a speech writer for President George Bush, and Jay Footlik was a special assistant in the Clinton administration.
Footlik and Neusner agreed that life in the real West Wing was not as glamous as the television program of the same name. Neusner joked that the "people are better looking on the show."
The people who work on Capitol Hill are normal, ordinary people in very tense and hectic situations, Footlik said.
"It is a very intimidating environment considering the staff turnover is very high, about every 18 months," Footlik said.
Although life on the Hill was stressful, both Footlik and Neusner recalled memorable moments and perks, such as flights on Air Force One.
Neusner remembered the irony of "being so close to the center of power but half the time learning about things going on in the next room by turning on CNN."
A personal memorable moment for Footlik was being present at the historic signing of the Israel-Jordan Common Agenda in 1993.
Both had advice for Penn West Wing hopefuls.
Students "should start wherever possible," Neusner said. "Show up and be committed. Don't be intimitated."
Both agreed that work on the Hill was an honor and a privilege that requires hard work and committment.
The American people "don't hear about the hard work that helps the government operate day to day. It's more about the scandals," Footlik said.
Penn Isreal Coalition Vice President and College senior Max Shapiro, a keen West Wing watcher, was impressed with Neusner and Footlik's presentation of the inner workings of Capitol Hill.
Jonathan Gertman, a College freshman, was also impressed with the presentation.
He said it was an "interesting, straight forward and engaging discussion."
