Post-Debate: Michelle and Barack Work the Room

By GottaLaff

Remember how, last night, Gramm-pa McCain and his McMealTicket scurried out of sight while Barack and Michelle Obama stuck around? So does The Hill:

In a span of 30 minutes last night I learned more about the candidates than watching a year’s worth of campaigning. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the debate itself. I am talking about the 30 minutes immediately following the debate. [...]

After about five minutes John and Cindy McCain slipped off the stage. If I wanted to be snarky, I would hint that maybe the McCains think a little exposure to “real people” goes a long way. That would be totally unfair, so I won't even suggest it. In any case stuff — out the door. Gone.

Then, for the next 30 minutes I watched in amazement as Barack and Michelle Obama, seeming as if they had all the time and not a care in the world, proceeded to work the room.

Individual pictures. Autographs. Hugs. Pats on the back. Arm touches. Group pictures. You name it. Whatever contact anyone in that room needed from candidate Obama or his wife — they got it.

Sitting on that stage and having the opportunity to ask questions of the next president of the United States (McCain or Obama) was a big deal to this Belmont University crowd. A huge deal for any crowd, for that matter. And then to follow it up and have some "personal" time? History, baby! Something to tell the kids about.

Family stories will be told for the next 50 years about some of those stage “moments” from last night. “That’s right, Suzy Q — your great-great-grandfather met President ________ once. Actually talked to him. Actually hung out together. Here. Look at this picture. They look like best friends!"

Whether it was stage-crafted and planned ahead of time or if it just happened spur of the moment, Barack and Michelle Obama demonstrated the oldest of adages: “All politics is local.”

Remember, all those voters on that stage last night were self-identified “undecideds.” There were votes to be had, and Team Obama was on the job.[...]

I would not be surprised if they didn’t swing more than a few votes, too. It was really interesting to watch. Maybe the McCains got to see some of it on C-SPAN when they got back to their hotel room.

Yum. Dee-lish. BFCE.