“A President’s hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right.” – Lyndon B. Johnson
Writing to the President of the United States
If there’s one job I would never want – no way, no how – it’s that of a President. Sure, we may think we could do a better job, but chances are we’d have our own set of haters. There’s a reason Presidents go grey while abiding in the White House. It’s a tough gig. With that in mind, here are a few pointers when writing to the President of the United States.
How to write
First of all, choose your modus operandi …
Email:
For obvious reasons, the President and First Lady – along with all the people who must sort through endless stacks of mail to weed out the riffraff – prefer email. Simply visit the official website of the White House and fill out the form:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT
Snailmail:
The second and more traditional method is, of course, a handwritten note. It should be just that – a note. Avoid sending gifts of any kind. If you are particularly appreciative of the work being done, consider paying it forward – give to a charity or volunteer. If you wish, you can write of that in the message you send to this address:
The President of United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
What to write
Next, a bit on what to write: mainly, keep it concise and keep it composed. Whether or not you agree with the President’s actions or policies is a moot point. He is the President. When you write to him, be respectful – even if you disagree. This not only displays depth of character, it also provides a stronger platform from which to be heard.
Greet: Whenwriting to the President of the United States, the salutation is always the same:
Dear Mr. President,
Introduce yourself: You may know a thing or two about the President, but chances are he’s at a disadvantage when it comes to you. To even out the playing field, let him know where you are coming from. Do you represent a group or an organization? Are you a father? A concerned citizen?
Jump to the point: From there, delve right into the reason you are writing. Even a President who encourages communication does not have a lot of time on his hands. Respect his time by keeping your communication brief and to the point.
Close: Your note to the President should close with a formal greeting:
Sincerely,
Respectfully,
Kind regards,
Include contact information: Finally, if you wish to receive a reply, include your full name, physical address, and your email. This will go after the signature on a handwritten note. If you are using the email form, simply fill out the fields and check the box indicating your request for a response.
How to write
First of all, choose your modus operandi …
Email:
For obvious reasons, the President and First Lady – along with all the people who must sort through endless stacks of mail to weed out the riffraff – prefer email. Simply visit the official website of the White House and fill out the form:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT
Snailmail:
The second and more traditional method is, of course, a handwritten note. It should be just that – a note. Avoid sending gifts of any kind. If you are particularly appreciative of the work being done, consider paying it forward – give to a charity or volunteer. If you wish, you can write of that in the message you send to this address:
The President of United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
What to write
Next, a bit on what to write: mainly, keep it concise and keep it composed. Whether or not you agree with the President’s actions or policies is a moot point. He is the President. When you write to him, be respectful – even if you disagree. This not only displays depth of character, it also provides a stronger platform from which to be heard.
Greet: Whenwriting to the President of the United States, the salutation is always the same:
Dear Mr. President,
Introduce yourself: You may know a thing or two about the President, but chances are he’s at a disadvantage when it comes to you. To even out the playing field, let him know where you are coming from. Do you represent a group or an organization? Are you a father? A concerned citizen?
Jump to the point: From there, delve right into the reason you are writing. Even a President who encourages communication does not have a lot of time on his hands. Respect his time by keeping your communication brief and to the point.
Close: Your note to the President should close with a formal greeting:
Sincerely,
Respectfully,
Kind regards,
Include contact information: Finally, if you wish to receive a reply, include your full name, physical address, and your email. This will go after the signature on a handwritten note. If you are using the email form, simply fill out the fields and check the box indicating your request for a response.
