Seeing the President -- Worthwhile experience?

This Wednesday the President will be visiting my little college town to make a speech along his campaign trail.

However, I decided to forgo the opportunity and pick up some extra shifts at the Dining Hall which other students were ditching to see the president. And besides, why would I want to buy a ticket to stand in a suffocating group of maybe more than half of the student population here?

Unfortunately, after making that decision I became filled with an uncertain amount of regret. I have met senators and congressmen before, even though I did not support some of them I always found it a really neat experience. I still look back and think of 'how cool' it was to see people in those positions.

So I am wondering, what does everyone else feel about seeing very high profile figures? Would you care to see who you're supporting if they came to your town?

Not if there is going to be a massive crowd and I have to feel suffocated and only get to see the person from a distance. And if I could work instead and needed the money I would choose to work. It really "depends" on how close I would be able to get so I could actually "see" the president "live".

It doesn't sound like in this situation you would get very close or have any opportunity for contact either.

Open Eyes

I would not be comfortable in a large crowd. However, if it were for a smallish gathering, reception, cocktail party, dinner, I am all over it

Of course, now I am thinking "what in the workd would I wear!"

I had to provide "security detail" (read: escort detail...we all just had a little fun with the wording in my unit ) as a Cadet LTC back when I was in JROTC to a state senator. That was very nice...myself in my full Class A's (the rest of the battalion was in their ACU's, posted at various points at the school, saluting as we walked by), walking around my high school campus with my second in command and the senator, basically chatting as he made his rounds. Very down to earth guy, and very easy to hold a conversation with. We differed on some policy points (though I kept my mouth pretty tightly shut in regards to differences), but I liked him. One of my highlights of my high school career.

Never gonna forget that, even if his name escapes me at times. Don Davis, Democrat, NC. Nice guy.

As far as your opportunity goes, I would take it, if I were you. I'm not much of a fan of President Obama's policy, but I like Barack Obama the man, and I'd love to meet him.

I rode on an elevator once with **** Cheney once, that was WAY before he was the VP, but after he was in the House of Representative.

Don't judge me (one way or the other) I was just riding an elevator not in any way making any sort of political statement, and I didn't realize how he was until we were already going up.

lol! I AM SO JUDGING! so how was it riding the elevator with Darth Vader?

That was my first laugh of the day!

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You have to buy a ticket?! How much?

I think Obama gives great speeches so I would feel really torn on that one.

The question is, after it is all said an done will you wonder "damn! I should have went!" Or will you just go about your business at work getting into the daily grind?

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I had a chance to see Barack Obama when he was here in Ireland visiting his ancestral home, I live about 9 or 10 miles from the village but I didn't get there early enough, the whole place was closed off to outside visitors early in the day. Was really bummed out when I saw him and Michelle shaking hands and talking to everyone on the tv.
If it was me again I'd take the opportunity.

Oh Rose, me thinks you are all better. LOL I can hear the music in the background too in that image you put out there.

I saw President Gerald Ford going to the bathroom (ie, on his way to the bathroom, not actually doing number one or two or whatever). it is my claim to fame! I just happened to step out into the hall (of the university's admin bldg where I worked in the late 1970's) as the secret service men were escorting him in. so I say, as long as you have a good story to tell!

Always interesting to see the 3-D representation of a near mythological persona that exists for most in only a 2 dimensional medium. [haha 'near mythological'...just a phrase but presidents for example are 'pretty heavy dudes' in the big picture]

Seeing a celeb/public figures etc 'in the round' so to speak would give me a certain touch of oh, I dunno...perspective I suppose. Just to acknowledge that life does go on everywhere and these people are more than just story figures in someones elses vision set to media. That make sense?

One time I was at an airport and someone said over the intercom that Airforce One had landed, unfortunately wasn't able to see the president.

My high school band performed for George Bush Sr. when he landed near his vacation home in Maine. He shook my hand along with everyone else's. I was young though, so don't think I appreciated it as much as I might now. All of the fanfare was pretty cool as I remember.

I think the best thing about seeing Obama would be the energy of the crowd. No matter what you think of the man, he can give a great speech and really get people pumped up.

Maybe he will be hungry and will come get something to eat at your dining hall.

I was in the same room with Adlai Stevenson once (anyone remember him?). My impressions: he was much shorter than I expected, and he did not seem to be in a good mood. Kind of grouchy and curt with the people around him.

Stevenson...he ran against Reagan? Or was that Barry Goldwater v Reagan? Reagan was before my time, and my histoty courses don't often teach about who lost the election.

He ran against Eisenhower. When I saw him I think he was ambassador to the United Nations, during the Kennedy administration. It was before your time!

I felt the SAME way when I saw the Mona Lisa! Much smaller than I expected and not in a good mood. at all.

Ah, you're right. Thank you. lol I have a bad habit of lumping the time we spent in the Cold War as one large unit...lol makes it hard to keep dates and specifics separate in my memory.

LOL - I have to share your answer with my T! I think he was a fan of both!