Meet Obama's Mailman: He Picks 10 Letters From Citizens A Day

[babylonsister]

Picking Letters, 10 a Day, That Reach Obama


White House aides give President Obama 10 messages from citizens a day. He answers some letters by hand.

By ASHLEY PARKER
Published: April 19, 2009


WASHINGTON — The task of keeping a president in touch with his public is daunting, as Mike Kelleher well knows.

Mike Kelleher, director of the White House Office of Correspondence, selects letters from the public that are included in President Obama’s briefing book. More Photos »

Tens of thousands of letters, e-mail messages and faxes arrive at the White House every day. A few hundred are culled and end up each weekday afternoon on a round wooden table in the office of Mr. Kelleher, the director of the White House Office of Correspondence.

He chooses 10 letters, which are slipped into a purple folder and put in the daily briefing book that is delivered to President Obama at the White House residence. Designed to offer a sampling of what Americans are thinking, the letters are read by the president, and he sometimes answers them by hand, in black ink on azure paper.

“We pick messages that are compelling, things people say that, when you read it, you get a chill,” said Mr. Kelleher, 47. “I send him letters that are uncomfortable messages.”

The ritual offers Mr. Obama a way to move beyond the White House bubble, and occasionally leads to moments when his composure cracks, advisers said. “I remember once he was particularly quiet,” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, “and I asked him what he was thinking about, and he said, ‘These letters just tear you up.’ It was after getting a poignant letter from a struggling family.”

Some letters begin “I didn’t vote for you”; others end “May God bless.” One missive came in the form of baseboard molding, covered with $2.70 in stamps and a scrawl urging the president to “Fix housing 1st!” Heaps of letters offer advice on the best treats for the first dog, Bo, and people have sent in colorful dog sweaters.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/us/politics/20letters.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Ashley%20Parker&st=cse

[Jennicut]

1. I love this. I love that he is moved by a letter. He needs this every day.

He needs to hear from the struggles of everyday people. I love that he does not want to get caught in the bubble. I don't agree with all his positions on everything but its obvious that he thinks every decision out before acting on it.

[ensho]

2. the letter picker should be changed up frequently

to get a better perspective on the letters.