Visiting Professor Catherine Allgor
Invited to White House

By Catherine Allgor, Visiting Kingsley Croul Professor of American History When the White House calls, you go.
So even though it was midterm time, and I had students and papers aplenty, when Laura Bush's staff requested my attendance at a luncheon and a meeting last Monday, I went. An opportunity to meet the First Lady and tour the White House with her was occasion enough, but I was also looking forward to being in the nation's capital in this last full week before the election.
Frankly, I am both tired of and incredibly stimulated by this year's election cycle, and at this point I just want all the big decisions to be made. Fueled by my own nerves and jitters, I thought D.C. during election week would be frenetica kind of Mardi Gras for political junkies.
To my surprise, however, the atmosphere in Washington was calm. While people were quite willing to talk politics if asked (some of the best conversations I had were with first-time immigrant voters)even volunteering presidential choicesthe capital citizens I encountered were, for the most part, just as eager to discuss the glorious weather or where I was from. Is this the calm before the storm? I wondered.
No.
It seems upon reflection that D.C. is the eye of the storm. In the end, this is a company town, built from the start by, for, and about politics. This monoculture can get on one's nerves; in this atmosphere of extreme wonkiness, admitting that you haven't seen a debate is not an option. But being the center of national politics imparts a certain quiet confidence to the place. They've seen 'em come, they've seen 'em go. And while it matters who holds office, in the end, it is the office itselfand indeed, the whole machine of government designed by James Madison and companythat stays and endures.
I left town feeling at peace, having imbibed the Washington Zen.
As I checked out of my hotel, the very polite desk clerk (an Iranian woman who will be voting for Obama) asked if I would like to make a reservation for the Inauguration. Her matter-of-fact inquiry reminded me that the peaceful passing of power, the amazing hallmark of our democracy, is, thankfully, just business as usual. Even the nerviest of citizens can take comfort in that.