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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI saw President Obama this evening
One of the many joys of working in DC are the opportunities to get held up by motorcades. I work at a building on Pennsylvania Avenue a few blocks from the White House and have gotten to see my share. It's pretty easy to tell if it's the VP, a bureau secretary, an ambassador, or the Man Himself. When W was president, his motorcades shut down streets and had choppers overhead. Cheney had 3 or 4 SUVs following his limo with heavily armed SS personnel hanging out the sides and back scanning the non-existent crowds for evil-doers. In contrast Biden's 'cade has 2 or 3 police motorcycles, and maybe two chase cars. I see his fairly often going into work and always send him a wish for peace and good fortune.
This evening I had to work later than normal. The attorney I work closest with is off this evening
on annual leave with his family to Malaysia. Unfortunately his secretary was out sick yet again so I had to help him. Actually given that it was a confidential matter, I would have been doing it anyway come to think of it.
Anyway, I left the building around 6:30 pm, not awfully late, but given that I start at 8 am, late enough. As I was walking along Pennsylvania Avenue, heading towards Foggy Bottom Metro Station, I heard a whole bunch of police sirens. More than I've heard in a while. So I stopped walking and looked. Sure enough it was a presidential motorcade.
I got to see President Obama in his limo. Unlike W, his windows are clear and you can see him. He appeared to be reviewing something. The folks on the sidewalk were very excited and so was I.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)This was on January 20th 2001, racing down Pennsylvania Avenue at 30+ MPH.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)It was at that intersection I too saw W in his limo racing down the street. The noise of his protection escorts scared me so much I will never forget it. He had armed security personnel virtually hanging out the windows with the guns clearly visible and for some reason, I thought they were going to start shooting. When they sped past, I let out my breath and then just felt disgust. Did he really have to terrorize innocent bystanders like that, and was that the way it was to be the next few years?
I saw him another time across the park. A young black man was standing there beside me and said, "That's my President." I was surprised but said nothing. In a few moments, I just turned around and walked away.
Sam
onehandle
(51,122 posts)I always did.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)It was mind-boggling to me when I heard him say it.
Sam
NJCher
(35,709 posts)I'd just hit his limo with an egg.
Big baby.
Cher
onehandle
(51,122 posts)80% of his drive to the protected area around the White House was filled with 250,000+ of us booing and screaming.
The MSM sorta breezed over that fact.
babylonsister
(171,079 posts)years in DC, at least not with this Prez. Thanks for that little slice of your life!
Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)To see President Obama, even just a passing glimpse of him, would just make my day.
Tess49
(1,580 posts)oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)Thanks
mountain grammy
(26,642 posts)American University, class of 1969.
Cha
(297,503 posts)cilla4progress
(24,760 posts)in Seattle, at the Univ. WA, in 2010, stumping for, and with, Patty Murray.
Wall to wall people; thrilling! Too bad the Dems took such a shellacking that election (but not Sen. Patty - she just keeps on ticking! Along with our other women senator, Maria Cantwell!).