Obamamania Hits the Hill

While his goal was to win support for his economic stimulus plan, President-elect Barack Obama wound up not just wooing but outright wowing an already solid fan base in House Democratic leadership offices. Just by being there.

Before meeting privately with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Obama went around her office introducing himself to the staff.

"Hi, I'm Barack," he'd say, according to aides who were impressed that he introduced himself by first name only. (Using first names only is a very Quaker tradition, we might point out, as the president-elect's children, Malia and Sasha, may have learned on their first day of classes today at Sidwell Friends School.)

Later, during a fancy luncheon hosted by the speaker for the media, one of Pelosi's aides belted out in mid conversation, "I met Barack Obama today!" The aide, who wore an oh-so-caliente red dress for her first face-to-face with the incoming president, requested anonymity, not wanting to appear overly "giddy."

She wasn't the only one. Even Pelosi's chief of staff, John Lawrence, seemed impressed to the point of near giddiness after a 40-minute strategy session with the next president. Lawrence, who was among a handful of leadership aides and members of Congress who chatted up reporters at the speaker's catered luncheon for the Fourth Estate, described Obama as "extremely focused and disciplined" about winning his first legislative accomplishment in the form of a $300 billion in tax cuts for workers and businesses.

Comments

Can't believe that I am the first to use the term OBAMANATION.
Obama's election, and acceptance by most of the population is a confirmation of the good that continues to exist in this most visible democracy in the world. The term above, to me, is the antithesis of the word that it so closely resembles (that similarity is perhaps the reason that the term I concocted has not found its way into the vernacular of the country. I suppose that is for the best, and will not apply for inclusion in Webster's or any other dicitonary or lexican. If it turns up there, I do not wish for any credit.

I have high hopes that Obama can lead the U.S. to restoration of its economy, its former standing in the world, and the future of my children and grandchildren and for those of all other Americans.

Posted by: oldtom | January 6, 2009 2:05 PM | Report abuse

I can't believe that I am the first to use the term OBAMANATION.
Obama's election, and acceptance by most of the population is a confirmation of the good that continues to exist in this most visible democracy in the world. The term above, to me, is the antithesis of the word that it so closely resembles (that similarity is perhaps the reason that the term I concocted has not found its way into the vernacular of the country. I suppose that is for the best, and will not apply for inclusion in Webster's or any other dicitonary or lexican. If it turns up there, I do not wish for any credit.

I have high hopes that Obama can lead the U.S. to restoration of its economy, its former standing in the world, and the future of my children and grandchildren and for those of all other Americans.

Posted by: oldtom | January 6, 2009 2:06 PM | Report abuse

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