New Forecast

After Schaefer retired in early 1999, Perino moved to England with her new husband, businessman Peter McMahon, whom she met on a flight from Denver to Chicago. Eight months later, the couple relocated to San Diego, and Perino landed a PR job. But in the summer of 2001, she says, "I told Peter that I just had to work for this president in some way, shape or form." She returned to Washington that November and "sort of worked my way up" — from Justice spokeswoman to director of communications for the White House Council on Environmental Quality to deputy press secretary by 2006.

"I don't bring the star quality that Tony brings," she says. "I don't bring the self-assurance that he has in front of the television cameras. But I do strive to be accurate and informative and have a little bit of fun." She understands that reporters might see treating her like a piñata as a good career move. "Every person in that room who has a TV position wants to get on the air that night," she points out, "and only those moments get on air." However, she thinks the situation might improve on her watch: "There's a little bit of grandstanding, maybe, but I felt like there was a little bit less when I was doing the briefings. Maybe I just don't have the capacity, or I don't spar with them like Tony did. He likes a good debate. I like to get on and off the podium quicker — give the answer and represent the president and his views as best I can."

In a March Rocky Mountain News piece, Perino revealed that she's trained her dog, Henry, to fetch a flip-flop after being prompted with the statement "Tell us what you really think about John Kerry" and to bark in response to a question about whether anyone "thinks that Bill Clinton should be in jail." When asked if she's taught Henry to do anything when she mentions NBC's David Gregory, who seemed to love getting into verbal battles with Snow, she replies, "No, but that's an interesting thought for this year." Then, after a chuckle, she says, "I actually like David a lot, and I think if anyone actually looks at his reporting, it's among the most fair of any journalist." She displays similar restraint when discussing the White House press corps in general, emphasizing that she wants to cultivate a relationship with them that's both "good" and "respectful." But she's demonstrably more enthusiastic when talking about accompanying President Bush on his recent trip to Iraq. "To meet our troops was just wonderful," she says, "and I really, really admired the Iraqi security forces I met. I felt like, I'm pulling for you guys. They want peace. They're working hard for it."

With only sixteen months left in President Bush's final term and the media already obsessed with the 2008 election, the current administration sometimes seems like yesterday's news — but Perino isn't buying it. "People have been saying that since 2006, and that hasn't happened yet," she argues. "I think that's because of the kind of president he is and the times we're living in." She feels that "there's a lot left to accomplish," and she's glad she'll be around as a witness. "There will always be the private sector, but there's only one opportunity to work for President Bush."

Talk about being a glutton for punishment.