Obama Nominees, Take Note

With the new Congress convening tomorrow, confirmation hearings for President-elect Barack Obama's appointees will soon be at hand. The following is a guide to surviving the confirmation process:

Your role is that of a bridegroom at a wedding. Accordingly, you should: Stay out of the way. Be on time. Keep your mouth shut.

You should spend every waking moment preparing. But do not ever assume that you have the job, nor go anywhere near the agency/office to which you have been nominated. Do not meet with lobbyists, the media or any outside groups that have an interest in your agency; reserve any comments for the hearing.

Scrutinize the legislative act creating your department or agency; it provides an excellent job description.

Examine past confirmation hearing transcripts -- the questions are sometimes about evergreen issues. And scour the news for stories affecting your department.

Remember that most of the hearing will be more about the questioners than about you. Prepare a short opening statement -- no more than five minutes -- outlining the president's goals and your goals for the department. Submit a longer "think piece" for the record.

Practice over and over, even when talking with your spouse or neighbors, saying: "Mr. Chairman . . . if confirmed . . . working with this committee I will . . . ."

While prepping, develop an answer to the one question you do not want asked. Count on someone asking it. What in your background might haunt you if made public? That, too, surely will be raised.

On the day itself, wear lightweight clothes (and an understated necktie) -- television lighting is hot. Use the restroom beforehand; the hearing will be long.

Bring your family -- your spouse and children are expected. Your father and mother are a nice touch. If your brother is a priest, make sure he attends in his collar.

Accept that the hearing will not be fair. The Constitution protects you only to the hearing-room door. You have no rights, there is no provision for "objecting." Hearsay questions are allowed. A U.S. senator can ask any question he or she chooses. So be polite and deferential. Senators do not want to hear grandiose plans from unconfirmed nominees. The goal is to demonstrate your qualifications while getting out unscathed.

Think "big picture" when answering. Senators want to hear about the forest, not the trees. Don't get bogged down in minutiae. And speak English, not acronym-filled governmentese.