I arrived at the President’s health care speech at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., about 45 minutes early, hoping I might chat with some of the Pennsylvanians who were here. No such luck. The press was stuck behind two sets of barriers. I tried asking several times (nicely, I promise) to wander a bit and talk to people, but was told I would have to wait until after the event. (Both the crowd and I had been through security screening.)Okay.So after the event, I attempted to talk to people as they left. That effort, too, was shut down by the security people.So all I can report is this: The President gave a speech on health care this morning. People applauded and cheered. What motivated them to be here, and what bearing this issue might have on their individual lives — well, I
can’t answer that.
Sound strange? Tumulty certainly sounded shocked. She twittered she had “never run into anything like this before, and I have been a reporter covering politics (and the White House) 4 decades. You can see the entire thing unfold on her Twitter account…free the White House press!!
# @moorehn have never seen anything like this. complained to the university provost. he says he can’t do anything. c about 4 hours ago via web in reply to moorehn Crowd at Obama #hcr event filing out. Security tells me I’m not allowed 2 ask ppl questions UNLESS I LEAVE THE BLDG. #freethewhitehousepress about 4 hours ago via web@rerutled Security people standing in my way. Some with guns. Not really in the mood to get arrested today. #freethewhitehousepress about 4 hours ago via web in reply to rerutled At Obama #hcr event–Male heckler: “abortion is not health care.” Female responds: “it is for some women.” about 4 hours ago via web@Charmed86 Nope. It’s all about the journalism. about 5 hours ago via web in reply to Charmed86 philadelphia inquirer’s @tomfitzgerald promises to retweet my protests, “like iran.” #freethewhitehousepress about 5 hours ago via webSestak arrives at WH #hcr event. Wonder if they will let him onstage. Specter flew in with Obama. about 5 hours ago via webNot 1 but 2 sets of barriers between press and crowd at Obama
#hcr event. “The DMZ,” WH reporter tells me. #freethewhitehousepress about 5 hours ago via web I bet all these people in this gym have some interesting thoughts about #hcr. #freethewhitehousepress about 5 hours ago via web @WaldenE I even asked politely. #freethewhitehousepress about 6 hours ago via web in reply to WaldenE A gymful of voters at Obama #hcr event in PA & WH won’t let me out of the press pen 2 talk 2 them. Free the White House press! about 6 hours ago via webWhy I hate White House travel: Am at Obama #hcr event in Pa & am being told I have 2 stay in the press pen and can’t talk to any … voters. about 6 hours ago via web