The logistics must have been challenging. These were events in close quarters where there are apartment buildings all around. They are literally small commercial and residential areas in the middle of a big city. Only two were in what I'd call "open areas." The others were right in the middle of narrow streets. There had never been rallies like this before for such a major candidate. Fortunately, these were neighborhoods which are quite favorable to him. They're also relatively close to each other -- maybe 20 minutes at the most, especially since they clear the roads for his motorcade. The rally I attended took place in front of the Mayfair Diner on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia's Mayfair-Homesburg section.

This wasn't the first time I'd met a Presidential candidate. I actually had breakfast with Bill Clinton at the Mayfair Diner the morning before he became President in 1992. His campaign was bookended here. He began his campaign in Philly and started his last day before the election here. It was a crucial battleground state then also and he was counting on Philadelphia to deliver the state to him (which it did).

It was not announced until about an hour beforehand, and only about 20 people were to be chosen to sit with him inside. Thousands gathered in the parking lot. It's a long story but I ended up being one of the lucky ones. Everyone had been chosen and I was initially passed up. I began to walk away when they suddenly realized they needed one more young white male and they grabbed me and threw me in. It was really more like a movie or TV set inside. It had been closed to the public and was filled with TV lights and cameras and press. The people were carefully selected to represent a cross-section of ages, races, and colors and placed in specific areas inside the diner.

When I got to meet Clinton, I was struck by how large and imposing he was. He looked me in the eye and shook my hand firmly. I said, "can I call you Mr. President?" And he chuckled, in that patented gravelly voice, and said "not yet, Larry, not yet." Hillary was there as well. I didn't have a camera at the time. I did get his autograph on a paper plate, though.

The Obama rally this past Saturday turned out to be another "right place right time" event. There were thousands of people waiting to get in but only about 15 people were allowed to stand against the railing facing the stage and I was fortunate to be one of them. I was the third person through the security line, so I had a spot directly in front of the podium. Behind us was an aisle of police, then a yellow tape behind which was the rest of the crowd. I was about 20 feet from Obama. It was a very small stage, relatively low to the ground, with only about 10 feet in the pit area between the barricade and the stage. When it was over he made his way around the inside of the barricade and shook hands with the people leaning against it. There were no more than about 50 people who were able to gather around the barricade to meet him.

I was very surprised at how much attention he paid to each person he met. I was expecting the typical rope line -- grab hand, slap hand, move on, no eye contact, touch as many people as possible. But I reached up to grasp his hand and he just held it as he talked to people next to and behind me. It was a little odd -- I was expecting him to let go and he didn't. He gripped my hand and wouldn't let go. It was almost like I was falling out of a boat and he was grabbing on to pull me in. Not at all like your typical polite but distant handshake. I said, "good luck Mr. President." He looked down (he's a big guy), looked me straight in the eye and smiled, and said, "thanks -- thank you very very much." I thanked him for coming to my little neighborhood and he smiled back. He was in no hurry to leave. Then again, he wasn't going to meet 100 people -- there were really only a few dozen of us, so he gave us each a bit of time. He even signed autographs for anyone who wanted, although he would only sign copies of his book (which almost everyone had anyway) and only if the people gave them to the Secret Service ahead of time, to be returned later. They didn't want any pens sticking out.

It was oddly exciting. I've met, literally, hundreds of rock stars and movie stars and am never starstruck by celebrities -- many of my best friends are "famous" -- but there is something different about meeting someone who may become President. It transcends everything else and makes the entertainment industry look trivial in comparison. After all, our President is arguably the most powerful individual in the world. That's heady.

Click thumbnails to enlarge

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) setting up metal detectors for security screenings in the morning. Yes, these are the same people who do airports. Cameras and phones had to be turned on so they could see they're real, all metal out of pockets, wands, patdowns when necessary, etc. Everyone had to go through this.

Philadelphia Police SWAT teams on the roofs. They were on all the buildings surrounding the area, with binoculars and high-powered rifles.

(L) For some perspective -- this was about three hours before the event. That is the barricade I was leaning on. Those two women came in with me and we grabbed spots dead center. To the left you can see the pit which surrounded the stage, which is out of site on the left. A total of about 15 people stood along that barricade where we were. That big stage with "Change" on it is not the stage. That's a set of bleachers for VIPs.
(R) This is to give you an idea of where we were. I am leaning on the barricade. Between the barricade and the stage is a narrow pit for press -- that woman is a photographer. There were about 10 feet between me and the stage. Pretty close. Pretty exciting.

(L) Here he is one person to my right. It's my turn to meet him next.
(R) And this is one person to my left, right after he'd met me.