Friend,

I want to share a story about someone who, more than anyone, taught me the importance of listening and accountability.

It’s Barack Obama.

I was in the White House the first day he took office in 2009, serving as a part of his national security staff. I staffed his meetings in the Situation Room and briefed him in the Oval Office. Later, I was honored to be nominated by him to serve in the Pentagon.

Despite his effortless charm in public, President Obama was a very tough boss. I don’t think I’ve ever had a tougher boss than President Obama. He’s brilliant, and he’s got a lawyer’s training where he’ll grill you with difficult questions, one after another.

I learned pretty quickly to be prepared, because he was going to make sure you knew your stuff.

What’s more, he was going to hold you accountable to what you said. If you told him a fact or a plan, you’d better deliver on it. If you didn’t know something, you should say that and not try to fudge your way through it. That’s exactly the approach I try to take in Congress. I try my best to know the details, make thoughtful decisions, and be transparent about what I know and don’t know. Because I’ll never forget the lesson President Obama taught me: you better say what you mean, and mean what you say.

That’s the kind of Senator I’ll be. And I’m building a grassroots movement in that same spirit to bring accountability to the U.S. Senate. With that in mind, will you chip in $10 to Defend Democracy Now and my campaign help us get there?

Thanks for your support,

Elissa