Michelle and Barack Work the Room

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.

Let me explain.

Watching on C-SPAN, my network of choice during debate season, I was able to continue watching the debate hall for a full 30 minutes after the event had officially ended.

You know — that period of time when the candidates and their wives typically engage in happy talk, maybe chitchat with the moderator, wave to friends in the audience and, in this case, meet some town hall participants who remained on the stage after the event had ended.

And this is what happened.

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.

Everyone got his or her moment. That led, I am sure, to every one of those folks going home last night and telling his or her family about “personal” conversations with the candidate or his wife. Almost impossible to put a value on giving folks that kind of experience.

I remember once in January 1993, after he had been elected, but before being sworn in, I was covering a governors’ luncheon at the Library of Congress featuring President-elect Bill Clinton.

Clinton, as per normal, was running late. Very late. Maybe an hour behind schedule for a sit-down lunch, and the important governors were getting antsy. Staged in the beautiful Great Hall of the library, I stood above the ornate room watching the scene unfold from a balcony overlooking the hall.

Then: In comes a smiling Clinton. An hour late — so they better hasten the program, right?

Nope. Clinton comes in and proceeds to work every table in the room. Fifty governors. Well over 50 tables. Wives. Staffers. Important people all. Clinton worked the room for another hour before the already late program began.

It was at that moment that I saw firsthand the real Bill Clinton magic. People, governors or “real people” from Nashville, Tenn., all want their brush with history. Last night Barack and Michelle were on the job, giving those folks their own little brush.

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.