Monday, November 30, 2009

Attended a World AIDS Day event at the White House (South Court Auditorium. Sec. Clinton and Sec. Sebelius were there as was Eric Goosby. They spoke about PEPFAR. Of note, striking difference from last year when anyone at White House mentioned PEPFAR, they would recognize me in the audience as the main architect of the Program. No one did that this time even though Hillary Clinton saw me and warmly waved at me from the stage. I believe that the new administration speech-writers and staff just have no idea who I am. Sic transit Gloria. Sebelius was her usual cold self and did not even make eye contact with me. Also, (amazingly) when she was with me a day or 2 later actually asked me as we were on the Hill together to speak with the Congressional Black Caucus (who never showed up – ugh!) “now just what do you do and what is your official title”. When I told her, she smiled and said: “I just think of you as “the vaccine guy”. She did not mean any harm, but she is really clueless….or actually uninterested in any interpersonal relationship at this level.