General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums“They were exactly as I had hoped”
LAST Thursday night, ReGina Newkirk from Nashville sat down for dinner with President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and four other grassroots supporters. She jokes about it, saying its no big dealjust had a meal with some old friends. But when she first heard the news that she was a winner of Dinner with Barack and Michelle and she could bring a guest, ReGina pinched herselfand immediately thought of her dad.
I was just in shock. Of all the people in all of the country who support the President, I couldnt believe I had been chosen. I was deeply honored and really excited to provide that opportunity for my father. My dad is a huge supporter of the President, and for somebody who grew up in the segregated South, to sit down with our first African-American president and really appreciate the things that have happened over his lifetimeit was an amazing chance for him to see how much the country has grown and we have progressed, and to see that in a very unique way. To provide him with that watershed moment in his life, I was so thrilled I could do that.
The three winners and their guests hit it off from the start. Then, the President and First Lady walked into the restaurant. ReGina already had a positive picture of the Obamas in her mind, and she says the real-life couple didn't disappointit felt like she had known them for years.
They just instantly joined in and they immediately put us all at ease. We did talk some about policy, and also told a lot of funny stories. There really were times when I forgot that I was talking to the President and First Lady because they were so comfortable with us. You would think at one of these events that you would get the campaign image that they want to project, but we got a chance to meet the genuine Barack and Michelle Obama. They seemed genuine to me before, and they were. It was really thrilling that they were exactly as I had hoped.
When shes not dining with the first couple in D.C., ReGina works as the executive director of a non-profit that uses creative outlets to give teens a positive alternative to negative influences. Over dinner, she got a chance to discuss her passion.
I talked about whats happening with the kids Im working with back home, about how do we get kids to understand about responsibility and accountability. Mrs. Obama was talking about things they do with their daughters, about how we make that kind of impact with kids who dont have those role models telling them they have to practice to be the kind of person they want to be. And you can see the difference it makes.
Barack and Michelle told her they were impressed with her work.
The President said its important for us to recognize that we serve as role models, and we have to stay positive and support ourselves, making sure that were in connection with others who do the same workmake sure were not on an island and dont get discouraged when its hard. They were very encouraging, extremely supportive.
There was one unexpected moment during dinner, ReGina says. The President asked two other guests, John and Cathleen, who was watching their two boys while they came out for dinner. When they told him it was a friend, the President asked for her name and wrote her a quick thank-you note.
Youre talking about one of the most powerful men in the world, and he took the time to have dinner with us, people who gave two-digit dollar donations to the campaign, so that already said a lot. But then he asked about their boys, and took time to thank the babysitter for making it possible for them to attend. It shows the level of consideration he has. What it tells me is that he does think of every American. We all matter, were all important to him.
read: http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/they-were-exactly-as-i-had-hoped
babylonsister
(171,090 posts)sonias
(18,063 posts)I love these people. They are human and compassionate people.
President and First Lady!
siligut
(12,272 posts)And everything I would hope for too.
Spazito
(50,453 posts)Thanks for posting this, it was wonderful to read.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)Sounds almost like talking about God.
bigtree
(86,005 posts)Seems to me that would be a prerequisite for the job.
I'd wager Ms. Newkirk reserves something more reverent and more monumental for her description of her personal religious belief. You fail horribly here in trying to define her support for this President in terms of something akin to hero worship (your pet subject). It's rather insulting.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)classof56
(5,376 posts)Makes me feel better about not winning dinner with my President and his wife. And ReGina took her Dad--how special is that!
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)You know I've been wanting to say the same thing to bigtree
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)national news. It really does show a president who is connected with people.
lsewpershad
(2,620 posts)are blessed.
bonzotex
(865 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)from those of us who aren't in his inner circle....
K&R.
whathehell
(29,090 posts)I've done it a few times...So far, no cigar.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)K&R
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)and the photos. I wish more stories like this ran as leads. I always benefit from positive information.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)+ 1 for dads
byronius
(7,401 posts)1) the Swedish lady stuck in the airport because she didn't have the money to pay an expensive luggage fee. Barack lent her the money, (over a hundred dollars) and she paid him back some time later. Much later, she found who he was. At the time he lent her the money, he was a starving student.
Stranger Story
2) He was phonebanking during the 2008 campaign, and ran across a couple that were being foreclosed on and couldn't donate. He called up a Chinese restaurant and had dinner delivered to them.
Can't find the link for that. But I remember it well.
They're part of why I trust him. And considering that a big chunk of the nation is ignorant/insane, we're lucky to have him.
babylonsister
(171,090 posts)I recall both those stories, but didn't until you mentioned them.
byronius
(7,401 posts)For instance, 'corporations are people, my friend.' Freudian slip, not.
jerseyjack
(1,361 posts)I didn't enter the contest. I couldn't sit across from Obama.....Afghanistan? Wiretaps? Killing of U.S. citizens without due process.. (even with due process I am against capital punishment)?
I will vote for him but if I won the contest, neither of us would have had a good time.
uponit7771
(90,364 posts)...Obama or his presidency as much as the good he has done.
Wasn't it under FDR when Japanese people were encamped and FDR was no real friend of Jewish people either.
Jus sayin, if we wait on the perfect we'll be waiting a very very long time
dballance
(5,756 posts)Was there any? I hope not. Because it's such a great story I'd like to think it was just a genuine moment between our President and some typical citizens without any PR or campaign implications.
Can you imagine W dirtying himself with such contact with the unwashed?
Romney will do it if he thinks it will get him votes but I bet rushes to the showers right after he's done.