Wednesday, February 11, 2009

The Meeting of a President

The newsroom buzzed like a hive for Secret Service agents today. They scanned the crowds with stern eyes, looking tough in black suits, that telltale curly white cord twisting out of their ears. Even a bomb-sniffing dog was brought in to check out the radio studio, where former President Jimmy Carter would be joining us live for an in-person interview.

He arrived with pomp and splendor, flash-bulbs went off, a television camera-person walked backward, one huge eye trained on a United States President. Mr. Carter's smile was huge and genuine, and he walked up to each of us sitting in the "power pod" outside the studio, shaking our hands. I thought he'd forget about me, as a secret service agent stood RIGHT in front of me, but I saw his hand and smiling face bend toward me. Several seconds after shaking his hand I sat there in shock, melting in his energy. I wasn't alive when Jimmy Carter was President, but I understood how big of a deal it is to meet him. Most people never touch a President in their lifetimes.

During a commerical break, we all ran into the studio, one by one, to get our picture taken. This is the most charismatic man I've ever stood next to, and I was honored.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure he's a nice man, but unfortunately was not regarded as a very good President at the time. He's rather way off the chart on the left these days. At the time at least he was kind to the environment, and he did various helpful things like Habitat for Humanity. That said.....it's totally awesome you got to meet a former President, and have your picture taken with him. One of the coolest things in your line of work is the variety of people you meet and the situations you encounter.

Colleen said...

Very cool! You and Travis both have pictures posted. I'm jealous!

Contact Travis said...

I think if we had actually listened to this man when he was president instead of ignoring everything he said...then electing reagan/bush for 12 years...this country would be in a much better place...with solvent social security, a truly green economy, and most of our national debt paid down. as for peace in the middle east if there's someone with a plan that will actually work, its President Carter and I am thankful President Obama is listening to him.

Dan-Eric Slocum said...

He is one of my heroes.

I love him.