Lee Greif Chosen as Chief of Staff in 1971
Lee Greif has engaged in many different careers throughout his life, none of which he recalls more fondly than his five year stint in politics. Although they were tumultuous and filled with some heavy tension, the early 1970s were an amazing time to be in the political arena and Greif is extremely appreciative that he could be a part of it. He was first hired in 1971 by Peter Peyser. Peyser was a congressman of New York who had recently won the election in New York’s congress race. Peyser chose Greif to be his chief of staff. This was a decision that he would not go on to regret as Grief would later go on to run two successful campaigns for his reelection.
Peter Peyser was an interesting and successful politician in his own right. Peyser was the republican congressman who represented the suburban Westchester County. Peyser was a close political associate of Nelson Rockefeller and the two were actually good friends. Many were the times that the two would develop policies together. Peyser’s connections with Rockefeller would give Grief the chance to work on many special and prestigious projects. He drew much attention from his superiors due to the excellent job he performed on them. The assignments may have been difficult, but it was nothing that Grief wasn’t able to accomplish.
Serving as chief of staff during the early 1970s meant there was a lot going on at the time that Greif could be a part of. One such event that he is particularly proud of was the dinner party held at the Whitehouse with President Nixon that he and three other congressman and their chiefs of staff took part in. Besides this were the many political briefings with Secretaries Of State and Secretaries Of Defense. Having worked during such a period of political conflict, he often had to defend some unpopular policies, especially since he served a Democrat during the war in Vietnam and a Republican during the Watergate scandal. There were two times specifically where he recalls having to defend some very unpopular policies put forth by his bosses and the president.
While acting as a chief of staff in Washington in the early 1970s, Lee Greif met Randee, the woman who became his first wife. When they met she was employed as a chief of staff for a senator of Missouri, Thomas Eagleton. Lee and Randee became good friends with Thomas Eagleton and they considered him to be a terrific guy and they often kept his company. Eagleton was a dedicated public servant, so having his support was a huge asset to Lee. Lee began to see him as a role model and major source of inspiration. Eagleton would later go on to run as Vice President on McGovern’s presidential campaign. The 5 years that Greif would spend in Washington as chief of staff for Peter Peyser was an important and fondly remembered time in his life. He would apply the knowledge he learned here to all the other challenges in this life.
