Rechanneling C.J. Cregg

Who remembers Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s first official appearance before the world’s media? Anyone recall what the major issue was? Well, it fell to the perpetually angrified Mr. Spicer to tell the assembled journalists in no uncertain terms that the Trump inauguration was the best-attended in all American history . . . notwithstanding video and print captures which proved how sparsely attended it actually had been. Spicer’s noisome presentation pretty much set the stage for all future Trump Press Secretaries, and made many long for the days of the fictional C.J. Cregg, as superbly portrayed by actress Allison Janney on the best political drama in television history: The West Wing.

Janney’s C.J. Cregg was loosely based on Clinton Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, who was hired to be a show consultant. (n.b.: MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell was one of The West Wing’s consulting/executive producers from 2001-2006). As portrayed by Janney (who is currently starring in the 8th season of the comedy Mom) C.J. Cregg was brash and beautiful, maximally politically literate and mordantly humorous. And, despite being the smartest person in the presidential press room (except when President Josiah “Jed” Bartlett happened to be present) C.J. treated her colleagues as equals. How unlike the aforementioned Sean Spicer whose stint as Presidential Press Secretary lasted a mere 182 days, only to be replaced by Sarah Sanders (who served 1 year, 345 days), who was in turn replaced by Stephanie Grisham (281 days), who was finally replaced by Kayleigh McEnany (288 days). (BTW: Steve Early, FDR’s Press Secretary, holds the record for service: he held his position for virtually the entire 3+ terms FDR served March 3, 1933 - March 29, 1945).

Without question, this past Wednesday, January 20, 2021, was a most compelling and uplifting day. For in addition to the swearing in of Kamala Harris as America’s first female - and first African American of Indian/Jamaican descent - as Vice President, President Joseph R. Biden’s stirring message of hope and unity, and the breathtaking talents of 3 young women - singers Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez and 22-year old Amanda Gorman’s spine tingling poetry, there was also the a return of normality to the White House Press Room. As one writer noted, “No stranger to the media glare from her considerable experience with the Obama White House, Jen Psaki embraced a refreshingly dignified approach to reporters, free of the dishonesty, dissembling and derision that had punctuated the previous four years.”

"I have deep respect for the role of a free and independent press in our democracy, and for the role all of you play," she said in response to the very first question. "As I noted earlier, there will be moments when we disagree, and there will certainly be days where we disagree for extensive parts of the briefing . . . . But we have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people."

“Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day," added Psaki, who vowed to bring "truth and transparency back to the briefing room.” She committed to "sharing information even when it is hard to hear", amid a rampant infodemic that has divided society and fueled Covid-19's horrific toll.

During her initial conference - in which she fielded questions with all the grace and ease of a Hall of Fame shortstop like Ozzie Smith or Cal Ripken - Jen Psaki told her colleagues “There will be times where we see things differently in this room … that’s OK. That’s part of our democracy, and rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day.”

The contrast between Jen Ptaki and any - every one? - of Donald Trump’s Press Secretaries is like that between night and day, or the members of Mensa and the Hawaiian shirt-wearing Boogaloo Bois. Civility, respect and a measure of mature calm - such as we have not experienced for the past several years - already seem to be hallmarks of both the nascent administration and the woman who is already the voice and face of that administration.

It is all quite reminiscent of the fictional President Josiah Barlet (played by Martin Sheen), Secretary of State Lewis Berryhill (Wm. Devane), Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer) and of course Press Secretary (and future Chief of Staff C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney).

For those who were, are and always shall be fans of The West Wing - and there are millions - you will remember the very last words spoken by President Barlet at the end of the pilot episode: “What’s next?” Anyone notice that the final two words spoken by Jen Psaki at the end of her first presidential press conference were the same: “What’s next?”

A coincidence?

I think not . . . just Joe Biden’s press secretary channeling C.J. Cregg . . . the best two words I’ve heard in long, long time.