No matter your party affiliation, it's always exciting to see a president live and in person.
You notice how when the President walks into the joint session of Congress to present the State of the Union address, they always stand and applaud and you can see that even the opposition party has to give in to the electric atmosphere.
President Obama's recent visit to Osawatomie to talk about the economy gave me a chance to witness that sense of anticipation when the commander in chief walks into a hall. You can always sense the buzz when he's coming. (I've covered a vacationing old Bush after he was beaten by Clinton; George W. Bush appearances in towns or near towns where I've worked; and Laura Bush).
People stood in line outside the gym in 32-degree weather or less patiently waiting for their chance to get into the warmth. They waited for Obama for 45 minutes or so before he showed up.
The press had to be there earlier, like hours earlier, to take up their positions. I was stationed near a freelancer from "60 Minutes" who was going to do an exclusive "walk and talk" with the president after his speech. That conversation will be blended with others to make up an interview that will air this coming Sunday.
Steve Kroft could be seen as people were leaving. I made a complete fool of myself and introduced myself to him. I also introduced myself to the freelancer and asked if I could go along for his exclusive walk-and-talk. Of course he said no, but it was worth a shot.