Jumping Out of ‘the Fishbowl’ : Free of Washington’s Public Glare, Janice Johnson Is Back in the Swim of O.C. Life

She will miss lunches at the White House, strolls through Georgetown, embassy receptions, new friends.

But Janice Johnson of Laguna Beach is happy to have left “the fishbowl,” she said last week after moving back from Washington, where her husband, Roger Johnson, was chairman of the General Services Administration.

The high point of her three-year stay: “Getting to know the president and the first lady--having dinner with them in their private quarters.”

The low point: Seeing her Laguna Beach home on television during a report about her husband’s alleged infractions of federal regulations.

“I’ve got a lot tougher skin now,” said Johnson, who switched her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat to support Clinton. “I had to develop that quickly. It was rough with all of the accusations, which were totally unfounded.

“But that is so Washington. . . . If somebody has it in for you, there are many ways to get to you. People in Washington are so used to it; they just laugh. It’s part of the power game, the political atmosphere.”

On Friday, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra League, which she founded in 1991, welcomed Johnson back to Orange County with a luncheon at the Center Club in Costa Mesa.

Sporting her trademark softly curled bob, the Orange County community activist--who has become a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House--exchanged greetings with dozens of old friends.

“It is a tribute to Janice to have so many people here,” said Ronald Hanson, president of the orchestra board. “We had to open room after room to accommodate them.”

After lunch, Johnson addressed the crowd. “People are always asking us how we like Washington,” said Johnson, looking across the room at her husband. “An old nursery rhyme comes to mind,” she said.

“There was a little girl who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. But when she was bad, she was horrid.

“That pretty much covers our life in Washington.”

Earlier last week, Johnson sat in her oceanfront home and talked about life with the Potomac set. Some of her observations:

The First Couple: “They’re awesome. . . . You can spend a lot of time listening. They’re bright, articulate, have well-formed opinions. They are also good listeners, especially him. He weighs every situation six ways to hell and gone.”

Hillary Clinton: “Hillary is the favorite whipping girl right now. I don’t think it will let up until the election is over. The polls show her popularity is down, and that’s the way they can get at the president, pure and simple. She’s a very strong, intelligent woman who is also beautiful inside and out.”

Whitewater: “The president has said they are going to live with Whitewater the rest of their lives, so they might as well get used to it.

“I don’t know if it was the first lady’s mistake, or her advisors, but way back, when they were asked for all of those papers, and there are thousands upon thousands of records . . . they should have just given everything to the Whitewater Committee. They gave them exactly what they asked for instead of saying, ‘Take it all.’ Maybe that was a mistake.”

The political climate: “Talking to the natives in Washington, they say it has never been so contentious. The art of compromise is gone. And that’s what politics is about. It’s so partisan right now.”

Clinton’s reelection campaign: “It looks like he will be reelected, but we can’t be too cocky about it. The White House is happier than [it’s] been in a long time, because things look great for them right now.”

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As a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, Johnson visited the First Mansion fairly regularly. “I got goose bumps every time I went,” she said.

She will serve on the committee until October of next year. “That will take me back to Washington for meetings attended by Hillary Clinton. She is honorary chairwoman of the committee and takes a vital interest in it.”

Johnson will also be invited to receptions in the Jackie Kennedy Rose Garden. “Hillary Clinton has created a sculpture garden there where we showcase the work of living, contemporary American artists,” Johnson explained.

“In the White House, you see mostly 19th century artifacts, paintings and decorative arts. There are very stringent guidelines,” she said. “No artist represented there can be living.

“Now, the committee is thinking about buying a Georgia O’Keeffe and the only known portrait of Mrs. Monroe.”

Johnson says that while she plans to be active in the Orange County community, she is going to take it easy. “I’m not going to be on every committee in the county,” she said, laughing. “I’ll work for the Pacific Symphony and the AIDS Services Foundation for now.”

Johnson is not worried about being shunned in Republican social circles. “Your friends are your friends,” she said. “I’m blessed. Lots of wonderful people have supported us through everything.”

Johnson raised eyebrows when she switched her party affiliation. And “who knows?” she said; she may switch it again someday.

“I’ve never voted a straight ticket in my life. I vote for who I like, period. I’ve changed my party three times,” she said.

“It’s not a religion, you know. It’s just politics!”