Behind the Scenes at Obama’s Big Speech

You know it’s a special evening at the U.S. Capitol when immediately upon arrival in the Press Gallery, you’re asked to watch a short video about the proper use of an escape hood in the event of a terrorist attack.

“We hope you enjoy the movie as much as we enjoy having you here,” one of the House Press Gallery staffers announced wryly as he fired up the DVD player for about 60 reporters gathered an hour before President Obama made his first speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.

After that jarring piece of business, I was free to wander around and check out the bold-faced names milling about the U.S. Capitol before the speech. Or not. Security was so tight in the hallways, it really wasn’t worth it. There were cops EVERYWHERE last night. Secret Service, Capitol Police, DC police, etc.

After a brief foray into the militarized zone, I returned to the comparatively cozy Press Gallery and stood around for a while – right next to those security hoods. When they finally let us into the chamber about 15 minutes before the scheduled 9 p.m. start of Obama’s speech, the real drama began.

The press sits in the gallery directly above the president’s podium. I was sitting just to his left three rows up. The prime perch gave me an incredible view of the rare species that is the U.S. Congress – and others of the same genus, including the president’s Cabinet and the members of the Supreme Court – in their natural habitat.

Here are some observations I jotted down in my notebook before and during the speech:

- At least until President Obama arrived, there was no bigger rock star in the U.S. House chamber than Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger. Sully, the cool-as-ice pilot who saved a plane full of people from dying in the Hudson River a month or so ago, was seated in the front-row of the Speaker’s box in the balcony. Members of Congress kept waving to him like awestruck school kids. Cute. When Sully was introduced, he got a loud and sustained standing ovation. We toss around the word “hero” a lot in America. This guy – with his courage, skill and humility – is the real deal.

- As members of the Senate file in, I’m struck by how white this crowd really is. Not exactly a reflection of America. I’m also amused at how they saunter single-file to plush leather seats lined up in front of all of the House members, even though it’s the House’s chamber.

- There’s Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico! I recognize him first from his shiny, lustrous black hair – not exactly common in this crowd full of silver, balding pates. Lujan is texting furiously on his Blackberry, as are many other members of Congress. I learn later that Lujan is Twittering. Yes, times have changed.

- As the House parliamentarian introduces members of the U.S. Supreme Court and they come striding into the chamber in their judicial robes, I ponder the history of this place and the durability of our country’s institutions and traditions. For the first time, I get a few goose bumps.

- Here comes the president’s Cabinet, led by who else? – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton takes FOREVER to make her way down the aisle – to the seeming frustration of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who looks like he wants to push past her. After hugging what seems like every member of Congress, Clinton finally takes her seat in the very front row. Dead Center.

- There’s Energy Secretary Stephen Chu. Unassuming-looking guy for a Nobel Prize winner. Definitely not a professional politician. Seems a little lost, actually. He finds his seat with the help of an usher and stands alone for several minutes. Finally, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the friendly ranking Republican on the Energy Committee, comes over and chats him up. Smart move, Murkowski. You’ve gotta work with Chu on climate change and other thorny issues.

- Michelle Obama finally enters her box – opposite the chamber from Sully’s – and waves to the crowd below. She looks great, as usual, but I notice that she’s the only woman in the chamber with bare arms. When I get home, a couple of my female friends on Facebook sniff that she appeared dressed for a cocktail party, not a presidential speech. No one’s attire is more scrutinized than the First Lady’s.

- Finally, President Obama enters. Huge roar of applause, as expected. Everyone stands – except the press. I feel a little conflicted. Shouldn’t we also stand? He IS the president, after all. No one does. I guess not.

- As Obama begins his speech, I gaze back down at Hillary as she gazes up at Obama, who is speaking to the nation a few steps away at a podium she thought she would occupy. So close, yet so far away. What must be going through her mind?

- Obama settles into his speech. He’s hitting his marks, but as I read along with the advance copy I was given, it occurs to me that reading it diminishes the power of Obama’s delivery. It seems more canned, less vivid. I stop reading and listen.

- I spot Rep. Harry Teague of New Mexico! Wait, is he sleeping? His head is sagging down! He looks up. Oh, he’s reading along with a copy of Obama’s speech, too. Whew.

- About 40 minutes in, I’ve got to leave to get back to my office in time to take calls from members of New Mexico’s delegation for tomorrow’s story. I hustle out of the chamber, down the stairwell, out the doors and into the chilly Washington night, applause still ringing in my ears.

- I break into a jog and pass a policeman standing at the Capitol’s perimeter. He waves and I smile. Glad we didn’t have to use those hoods tonight.