"The thing you learn about Presidents," says Brian Lamb, sitting back in his chair at C-SPAN's executive offices on North Capitol Street, "is that even very big people are overwhelmed at being in the presence of a President." Lamb, who has been called America's best listener, is taking some rare time to talk about his own experiences. "People would get captivated" when talking with Johnson at White House events or in the reception line, says Lamb, and not know how to end the conversation or move on. "Our job was to keep it moving."
The military aides quickly learned to be at ease. In a way, it was one of their duties. "One of the first things this experience did," says Lamb, "was take the awe away from being around famous and important people. I was 24 when I first went to the White House. You're young and impressionable and overwhelmed by big names, but then you realize they're just people."
Alan Merten came to similar conclusions. "As someone in my twenties, I met very powerful people I liked and I didn't like and I learned that power doesn't make you nice and power doesn't make you evil," he explains. "People were nervous in the White House - kings and princesses and governors. I'm sure in their own environment they were comfortable. But the White House made them nervous." It was the job of the social aides to make people feel at home in the President's house. Of course, it wasn't always possible.
"I was told off by Joan Crawford," recalls Lamb of a particularly unpleasant attempt to chat up the Hollywood star. "She was not a friendly human being."
"You were almost like a servant," he adds, crinkling his eyes at the memory. "Barbara Walters treated me with disdain. I'll never forget that."
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This culture is enamored of glitter and even the dimmest reflected glory is enough to dazzle some people.