A Sobering Anniversary

The White House relies on keeping a finger on the pulse of public opinion. On days it beats steadily, things are good; on days it throbs, late night meetings are common; on days it's thready, frantic measures are taken.

Senior White House reporter Danny Concannon often is in the center of that vibration. His stories are always must reads for the West Wing. His experience, his contacts, and his ability are second to none.

One of his strong points is a good memory. He's known for follow ups that touch on issues people are still interested in.

With that in mind, Danny requested a one on one interview with Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry. It would coincide with the one year anniversary of McGarry's public disclosure that he was a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.

White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg relayed the request to Leo and reserved her comments. The West Wing Staff still walked on egg shells about that chapter in Leo's life. They knew it was the ultimate private matter in a very private man's life.

When he was forced to make it public because of an attack by the rival party, it was torture for him. But Leo shunned all offers of outward support from those who loved him and faced the media alone.

He survived, as did the Bartlet White House. Now, one year later, Leo was in the forefront of the Administration's drive to focus on treatment for drug users. It was a move away from automatically sending drug users to prison.

Leo considered Danny's interview request on his own. Then, he asked for and got the comments and concerns of the Senior Staff. He consulted with his assistant, Margaret; then his daughter, Mallory. Finally, he turned to his best friend, the President.

Then Leo did what they all knew he would do. He quoted the Serenity Prayer, "God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

It meant he would face his demons again. Leo was secure and serene that his better angels would keep him safe once more.

Danny allowed a few days lead time on the interview. He and Leo were the only ones in Leo's office for the session. Neither of them revealed anything about what had been said.

After their chat, Leo appeared calm. Danny was seen pounding his keyboard, muttering to himself and endlessly checking his notes and listening again to the audio tape. It seemed like Danny was putting more effort into this particular story.

The day Danny's story finally ran, more than one person in the West Wing held their breath and crossed their fingers as they opened the paper.

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A Sobering Anniversary
by Danny Concannon

One year ago today, Leo McGarry faced the media. Not unusual duty for the White House Chief of Staff, but this was an unusual occasion. This time, he didn't speak about a Bartlet White House political initiative. This time, he faced the cameras, tape recorders and notebooks as "a recovering alcoholic and recovering drug addict."

McGarry spoke out to quiet the allegations by Congressman Peter Lillienfield about drug use at the White House. The Republican claimed one in six White House staffers used drugs.

The White House Chief of Staff announced he was coming forward to put a face on those numbers. He said at the time: "The White House is no different than any work place including Congress. People suffer from the diseases of alcoholism and drug addiction. But I am here to tell you they can recover."

McGarry detailed his treatment at an Arizona center and his continuing battle to stay clean and sober. He agreed to sit down with me in his White House Office. In this exclusive interview he reflected on the year following his public declaration and his hopes for the future.

Danny Concannon: "You've been sober now for seven years. What do you attribute it to?"

Leo McGarry: "It's the old standard. I take it 'One Day At A Time'. I attend meetings, I work my program. I count on family and friends."

D.C.: "How often do you attend meetings?"

"One of the traditions I follow is confidentiality. All I'm willing to say is that the program helped save my life and continues to be a life line. It allows me to function."

D.C.: "Can you tell us about reaction from inside and outside the Beltway to your disclosure?"

"It followed party lines for the most part. But some of those in the Republican party would be surprised to know I have some supporters on that side of the aisle. Alcoholism does not run down party lines. I heard from many people around the country, other 'friends of Bill' and most wished me well. They were glad to see they're not fighting this battle alone."

D.C.: "Do you sense a difference in the people around the White House?"

"They always ask me to be the designated driver." (He laughed-D.C.) "Yes and no, a typical political answer. Yes, I believe sometimes they worry some problem they bring to me will drive me over the edge, drive me to drink. They don't want to be responsible for sending me back to a bottle.
It's hard for them to realize they won't be responsible. I make the choice, to give into temptation or to keep working to stay sober.
But it's also 'No'. It's no different. The Staff here contains the most dedicated, supportive, forgiving group I've met outside of meetings."

D.C.: "What does that mean to you?"

"There are no words to describe that kind of loyalty. There were calls for me to resign after I revealed I was a recovering alcoholic and addict. But the President would not let me even consider it. Everyone here backed him up. It was quite a gift."

D.C.: "A few months later, you became the Bartlet Administration's point man on some innovational and controversial drug program proposals."

"Well, I know the subject well. Seriously, I am also proof treatment works. Not everyone can afford treatment, we need to change that. Prison isn't always the answer and if it is the answer it needs to be applied equally without regard to race or economic status."

D.C.: "Does that make the Bartlet White House soft on crime?"

"An old argument, you've heard before from previous opponents of previous administrations. We're not surprised it's surfaced again.
This President and this Administration are not soft on crime. We know first hand how devastating crime can be. We are realistic about it and the role drugs play in it. We're showing people that dollars spent on drug treatment are a better value than most dollars spent on drug sentences.
It's like spending more money on preventative health care to save money on the higher cost of hospitalization."

D.C.: "Politically and personally, it's been a traumatic year. You mentioned this Administration being touched by crime, there was a shooting that wounded the President and your Deputy Chief of Staff. Was this the toughest year for you to stay on the wagon?.:

"It's not a year to me. It's 'One Day At A Time'. On difficult days; it's an hour, maybe a minute at a time. You look at it that way and soon those days turn into a year. Another year of sobriety."

D.C.: "But it was difficult?"

"It's never easy to go through a divorce and a public scandal about substance abuse let alone a violent attack on your co-workers and friends. But my family and friends never wavered in their support for me despite their own difficulties. Did I want some form of relief when the President and Josh Lyman (Deputy Chief of Staff-Ed.) were shot? Yes. But that would have kept me from being of any help to them. It would have insulted the faith, trust and kindness they'd offered to me."

D.C.: "With apologies to the Vice President, many political observers say the Chief of Staff is the second most powerful person in the Executive Branch. What is it like to be that man and to carry your, well, for want of a better word, baggage?"

"Some days the bags are lighter than others. It is an honor to be of service to the American people and President Bartlet. Any power that I have comes from my job and the trust placed in me by this President. I try every day to live up to that daunting responsibility. Some days I succeed, some days I fail. But I'm satisfied I always try to do my best."

D.C.: "Alcoholics Anonymous hands out chips for special anniversaries like another year of sobriety. Do you get one for marking this occasion?

''No. When all the dust settled it became just one more day that I was successful in staying sober. Personally, that's all I can focus on, what's at hand."

D.C.: "You are known for valuing your privacy. Why agree to talk about this?"

"People are curious, people are supportive. People need to know there's not a drugged out drunk psycho near the Oval Office. (Laughs)This is the last time I plan to talk about this. My recovery continues, I consider this my thank you to those who have been there for me in the bad times and now the better times."

D.C.: "What about the people who brought this out to try to destroy you?"

"You know, I thank them too. I'm grateful now that this came out. It can't be used to hurt my daughter or the President or the White House. I say it bodes well for the future."

D.C.: "You're optimistic?"

"I never go that far. But I'm ready for the next challenge. In fact, we're done. I need to get back to work."

There was a collective whoosh of released breath in the White House as people finished the article and closed the newspaper.

Mallory and Margaret exchanged verbal high fives in a phone call. Then Mallory told her Dad how proud she was of him. That praise matched any alcoholic buzz Leo ever remembered.

Vice President John Hoynes raised a cup of coffee to his occasional nemesis but fellow 'friend of Bill'. Leo had kept the traditions and bond of confidentiality. Still, he'd put a positive light on the program. Leo was a familiar face and now, a hope to others.

Sam couldn't find the words to express his admiration to Leo or his appreciation to Danny. After littering the ground with his attempts, he settled on a smile and a nod to Leo. Sam offered a thumb's up to Danny. Both gestures worked as well as words.

Toby decided he might have phrased the questions differently. He figured there were other ways Leo could have answered the questions. But overall, Toby believed Leo's words spoken in Leo's own fashion presented the White House and the Chief Of Staff in the best light.

Josh knew first hand about living in the uncomfortable glare of the spotlight after a life changing experience. He hoped when Danny came to him to do a story on the anniversary of the shooting that he would speak as eloquently as Leo. Josh shared that thought with both men. They assured him that he'd do as well and be treated as fairly.

C.J. smiled and sent off an e-mail to Leo. Once again, he'd made her job easier by being an honest, simple person whose goodness shone through. He'd scored an important victory for the White House and for the pending legislation about drug treatment instead of drug sentences.

She tapped the glass of the fish bowl where Gail swam around a small typewriter figurine. The Goldfish reminded her of Danny's attentions. C.J.'s underlying trust in him had been tested several times. It again, had ultimately survived and was stronger.

C.J. wondered how she could convey all this to Danny and still keep him at arms' length. Did she really want him that far away? Her musings were interrupted by the phone. She grabbed it and her brisk greeting was answered by the President's vibrant voice.

He told C.J. to find Danny immediately and bring him to the Oval Office. She agreed and then hesitated. The President sensed her trepidation. He assured her he only wanted to congratulate the reporter and thank him.

Jed Bartlet had already crossed the Oval Office to congratulate his Chief of Staff. They tried to keep it on a professional level but their eyes betrayed them.

The two men who had been best friends for as long as either could remember, exchanged a look. In it, there was approval and admiration on one side, acceptance and affection on the other.

The President moved back to his office.

Leo prepared to get on with his work. He fingered the latest anniversary chip in his pocket ready to move ahead, "One Day At A Time."

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