A few thoughts after @POTUS historic #JointAddress .

In 2010, I was @BarackObama’s designated survivor during his State of the Union address.

It’s damn humbling.

Here’s a thread about speeches, leadership, and babysitting the nuclear football…

First, @POTUS has had 100 incredibly productive days. Covid relief. Direct checks. Vaccine distribution. A jobs package that I am confident will become law.

This doesn’t happen by accident. It takes leadership.

My few hours as @BarackObama's designated survivor gave me a glimpse into what the burden of the presidency really feels like.

Me and a team of staffers were evacuated from the capitol on helicopters to the “undisclosed location” in a mountain.

Upon landing, we were fully briefed on national security issues around the globe. The idea was that if anything were to happen, I’d be up to speed on the latest threats facing our country.

Soaking all this in, there were so many emotions.

I remember: the feeling of awe at the foreign policy challenges.

Also: how life-changing and challenging it would be if something did happen.

And also: the nuclear football is in the room with me.

So trust me – the burden that is on @POTUS shoulders is heavier than we can imagine. What I felt for a few hours he feels every hour for four, even eight years.

(But I’ve gotta be honest, it was also the best James Bond moment of my life! I called my wife and boys, who I watched a lot of 007 movies with, and the number came up on her caller ID 000-000-0000.)

When you’re the designated survivor, the more “uneventful” the night, the better. Thank goodness this night was less eventful than the TV version, and I went back to my day job.

And now I joke with my kids that @RealKiefer played me on TV (architect, turned HUD Secretary, turned designated survivor)

I want to applaud @POTUS for taking the podium last night and exhibiting such incredible leadership.