Greg Schneiders, struggling bar owner turned Carter White House adviser, dies at 77 [Video]

Greg Schneiders, a Democratic political adviser who began as a struggling Capitol Hill bar owner and made his way into President Jimmy Carter’s inner circle, taking on roles that included helping create the disaster relief agency FEMA, died May 8 at his home in Key Largo, Florida. He was 77.

Schneiders had a heart attack while sleeping, said his son, Nate Schneiders.

Among the countless “how I got into politics” stories in Washington, Schneiders’ was one of tough lessons and lucky timing. In 1974, he had just sold two failing drinking spots that he co-owned: a saloon called Whitby’s on Capitol Hill and Georgetown Beef Co., a beer and burger joint.

He went on unemployment, with a stack of debts following him and his business partner, a friend from their days at Georgetown University.

“I never intended to do it for the rest of my life,” Schneiders told The Washington …