President-Elect Obama gave an exclusive interview with Meet the Press yesterday and discussed bringing more artists to the White House, including jazz musicians, classical musicians and poets. While it is common to have artists perform in the White House, it’s been uncommon in recent years to see a President discussing it.
Here’s the transcript of that part of the interview:
MR. BROKAW: Let me ask you as we conclude this program this morning about whether you and Michelle have had any discussions about the impact that you’re going to have on this country in other ways besides international and domestic policies. You’re going to have a huge impact, culturally, in terms of the tone of the country.
PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Right.
MR. BROKAW: Who are the kinds of artists that you would like to bring to the White House?
PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Oh, well, you know, we have thought about this because part of what we want to do is to open up the White House and, and remind people this is, this is the people’s house. There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education. Yes, we’re going to have an education policy. Yes, we’re going to be putting more money into school construction. But, ultimately, we want to talk about parents reading to their kids. We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House. When it comes to science, elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about. Thinking about the diversity of our culture and, and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that’s America. I–you know, that, I think, is, is going to be incredibly important, particularly because we’re going through hard times. And, historically, what has always brought us through hard times is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that, that sense that better days are ahead. I think that our art and our culture, our science, you know, that’s the essence of what makes America special, and, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House.
I wasn’t paying much attention to who the President was inviting to the White House before George W. Bush, but I did notice the lack of guests in the last 8 years, which seemed to reflect the ignorance of the administration towards cultural development in this country. It would be great to see that change with the next administration. Clearly, this is one way to get people to pay attention to something other than their daily grind.
I have performed in the White House 4 times during the Bush administration. This year will be my 5th. On each visit, all during the holiday season, there were soloists and ensembles representing various musical styles. President Bush also asked a singer-songwriter to write a song in the days following 9/11 and placed him and other artists and musicians on a service/civic participation council.
I think we will naturally see more high-profile performers during the Obama administration because of the politics of the entertainment world. I do think it is valuable for our leaders to connect with us in our areas of interest and expertise, regardless of, and apart from, the politics of it all.
While all of you are bashing President Bush and praising
president Obama, who in president Obama’s administration is a
professional classical musician? No one! Who in president Bush’
administration was a professional classical musician…none other than Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice…who is a BRILLIANT CLASSICALLY TRAINED PIANIST who worked professionally.