Reporters hanging around
There were only a few other reporters waiting for official entry to the grounds at the West Wing gate. We stood at the bars and looked. I took pictures.
There were only a few other reporters waiting for official entry to the grounds at the West Wing gate. We stood at the bars and looked. I took pictures.
We were escorted directly to the West Wing, which looks just like it does in the TV show. I expected President Bartlett to come out of the Oval Office doors at any moment. We, of course, did not go into that room, but went into a foyer where guests mingled and there was a piano player--but I was not allowed to take pictures.
The small group of press people being escorted to the foyer of the West Wing.
It was just the photographers, the reporters, and the marines (mostly female!) in the East Room before the important guests were escorted in. They were outside mingling to the tunes of a grand piano.
I've seen so many press conferences and events televised from the East Room. The chandeliers are always prominent, and I even remember that they had to raise it a few inches when Baryshnikov danced there in order to give him enough clearance for his leaps. Here's one reflected in a magnificent mirror.
Wolfe is an iconic author of the twentieth century. He wrote "The Right Stuff" and "Bonfire of the Vanities" and always wears a white suit. The AP and Reuters photographers next to me pointed him out: "That guy--whatshisname? He always wears a white suit. Get that picture!" Unfortunately, it's a bit blurry, but he still has a lot of fashion class. I do have to admit, I've never liked his books much.
President Bush gave a speech that he read assiduously from the podium. There were two self-deprecating jokes about his lack of eloquence, which went over big with the audience.
Note the Gilbert Stuart portrait to his right. A reproduction of it is part of the Picturing America portfolio.
The wire photogs have ladders that put them above all the heads, and so their pictures will be only of Bush and not of bald spots!
Occasionally, he looked up during his speech. He seemed stiff and awkward, but the speech was a pretty good one.
Laura Bush was the big surprise. She is engaging, warm, and spoke without notes! Why isn't she a teacher?
These twins were the best dressed guests. They are the furniture appraisers on Antiques Roadshow, and are celebrities in their own right.
This is my favorite photo, because you can see the press and photogs crammed behind the rope while all the real guests sit on the other side. There were very few reporters there, which surprised me.
Right in front of the rope which kept reporters at the back, I could see the vast expanse of rug underneath the guests. After a rainy day, the sun peeked through, and I thought it was a nice shot to see the light on the aisle.
Woo-hoo! We got our temporary green press badges, went through a security line similar to the ones at airports, and walked onto the grounds. There was not a sole in sight. What a grand, sweeping vista!