John Wall of the Wizards and Kate Bennett

A Show of Strength

PART OF OUR JOB here at Capitol File is to bring our readers an overview of all things Washington, and for me, that means shining the spotlight on power. Let’s face it: Power and this city go hand in hand; it’s our bread and butter. How close we are to it, who holds it, who makes the most of their access to it, who’s next in line to achieve it—all are important, and endless, topics of fascination.

For this issue, we’ve compiled our inaugural power list. As Jeff Nussbaum, principal of West Wing Writers (the powerful speechwriting firm whom we were lucky enough to have pen this feature), puts it, these aren’t necessarily the “obvious” faces—rather the ones just off-center in the photo on the front page, slightly blurred, standing adjacent to the bold-facers, whispering in all the right ears, spelling out the talking points, plotting the next big move. We’ve tapped into the city’s white-hot core, and we’re especially thrilled with what we’ve come up with.

Speaking of power, there’s no bigger icon than our cover star, Robert Redford. This month he unveils his latest directorial project, The Conspirator, a riveting film about the aftermath of President Lincoln’s assassination. Jay McInerney, author of seven novels and one of the country’s best-known contemporary fiction writers, sat down with Redford for a truly intriguing conversation.

We also check in with Wayne Pacelle of the HSUS, Deborah Hersman of the NTSB and Beth Dozoretz, formerly of the DNC, now with the DOS. (Freewheeling use of acronyms, another sign of power in Washington.) And while there’s no one blueprint to success, we suggest you follow the lessons of the influence peddlers in these pages; one day you may just find yourself among their ranks.

Here’s to power,

KATE BENNETT
EDITOR IN CHIEF

Follow me on Twitter @katebennett_cf and @capitolfilemag, and check out capitolfile-magazine.com.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBB SCHARETG