A Visit From The President

Once I got to work, things were fairly normal - well aside from most everyone else being dressed to the nines… especially the ladies.

But then around lunch time, about 30 giant secret service dudes started showing up along with cops, dogs, etc. We had a mandatory office leave while they swept the entire place. (Remember, this is Obama's campaign headquarters. These are the people who love the president and are hired to re-elect him. Security was still this tight)

After the sweep was done, we all came back to the office and went through security similar to an airport (or a hip hop show), but with qualified professionals. Not the TSA.

Once through security, we hung out for a bit, working as usual while tip-toeing around the secret service dudes in their crazy "ready to end you in a second" stance.

Then finally, The President of the United States shows up.

It was incredibly interesting. I've seen photos, videos, and heard his voice so many times that it wasn't even surreal. It was just like one of the best, most genuine dudes in your crew walking into the room. It really felt like I knew him as soon as he entered.

So he gets in, talks to us, is obviously more focused on his next fundraising speeches, but he speaks his mind. He says things that are profoundly considerate about humanity and us as Americans. He is legitimately concerned with us and our future in a sense that is way bigger than most politicians.

I loved it.

After his speech, he gets a couple questions from campaign folks.

First, he gets asked about what he is excited about in his next term. He starts out with all the things he hasn't been able to do because… well, being a president is apparently really hard. But he also talked about how getting elected for another term will help secure all the things he's done for the wellbeing of Americans, (health reform, ending the war, ending don't ask don't tell, immigration, emissions, etc). All these things were being threatened by the competition.

Next, some "bro" asked what bars and restaurants he would recommend as a Chicagoan. Obama joked that someone in his 20s should not be asking a 50 year old man for bar recommendations and that he'd be better suited asking his campaign peers. He also told him that if he hasn't eaten Manny's corned beef sandwiches, that he was doing something wrong. And of course, to make sure and try some Chicago style deep dish pizza.

After a couple more questions, Obama walked through the front of the office, shaking the hands of all those he could reach. Halfway to the door he said, "Get back to work! Because I have so much left to do, and without all of your hard work, I won't be able to do it."

Right after that, the president shook the hand of my hippie, tattooed-ass self - fresh dressed in my fancy v-neck. And on the way out of the office he shouted 3 times. "Go get em! Go get em! Go get em!"

And then… we just did exactly what he said. We got back to work.

It was truly a great day.