CONFIDENTIAL Transcript of Interview

POSITION APPLIED FOR: Assistant to the President and White House Press Secretary

CURRENT POSITION INCUMBENT: Ari Fleischer

APPLICANT: Richard "Rich" Galen

CURRENT POSITION: None

1. Why does this applicant feel he/she is qualified for this job?

Applicant suggested he has long experience in the field of press relations on behalf of political figures and is "a real good typer."

He stated he has worked for many senior-level political figures including Congressman, then Senator Dan Quayle; and, House Republican Whip, then Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Applicant self-described himself as "prickly." Phone calls to one of the top references supplied by the candidate drew this comments: "If Galen is 'prickly' then Howard Hughes was a teddy bear and Leona Helmsley, Doris Day."

Applicant also suggested his excellent relationships with the press corps would serve The President in good stead. A phone call to one of the reporters he suggested we contact, said: "Galen? Press Secretary? Why don't you just hire Baghdad Bob and be done with it?"

Applicant stated he is mostly bald which seemed to him to have been a positive attribute in the cases of Mr. Fleischer and Mr. Fleisher's predecessor in the administrations of Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, Marlin Fitzwater.

Applicant IS bald.

Applicant suggested that "this Jayson Blair kid seems to have been onto something."

Applicant states he "needs a nap most afternoons" and isn't "much into this exercise thing." He stated that his idea of exercise was to "run out for a cheeseburger." Applicant seemed to believe this was very amusing, knocking over his coffee cup in the process of bringing himself under control.

Applicant also volunteered that he "can't keep a secret because a secret is only good if someone else knows you know it." He kept winking at the interviewer as he said this.

Applicant suggested he would "like an office with a big window" and thought "being driven in a limo - you know, with a driver and all? - would be way cool." He also inquired as to the availability of underground parking.

He felt strongly that "standing next to the guy with the 'football' and shouting 'INCOMING'" might be a good way to break the ice on long trips with the traveling press corps. He spilled another cup of coffee after this statement.

He also thought riding on Air Force One would be "a lot better than finding out you're already in Group 3 when you get to the Southwest Airline gate."

Applicant asked "what the deal" was with the White House Mess. He seemed to be confused as to the meaning of the term "mess" asking if Mr. Fleischer was on the list to "take turns straightening up on weekends."

He also asked who the White House Staff considers "the hottest-looking girl in the White House press corps."

After some 15 minutes, this interviewer asked for another member of the OPM staff to join her in dealing with this applicant. In spite of the applicant asking every 90 seconds or so, "Do I have the job yet?" it appears this applicant has absolutely no suitability-to-position.

In fact, it was the opinion of the staff that any future contact between the White House and this applicant should be conducted by e-mail or, if possible, semaphore from across Lafayette Park.