By George Walker IV
“I got the news from my photo editor a few days before, that I would be covering President Barack Obama when he visited Nashville after his State of the Union address in January. I was ecstatic. I covered both his inaugurations in Washington D.C in 2009 and 2013 but was never as close as I would be on this day. This would be the first time I would be in the “tight pool” of media which means I would be just a little more than arms length away from the POTUS. To have the privilege of being that close to the President I had to go through a thorough back ground check by the Secret Service before being approved to be in the “tight pool”
When the day arrived it was beyond cool. Myself and writer Michael Cass met Air Force One at Berry Field, we went through several security check points before being taking out to the tarmac to meet the plane. Once President Obama arrived we were hurried out to stand under the wing of the plane where I could photograph Obama shaking hands with Mayor Karl Dean and Rep. Jim Cooper as they greeted the President on his arrival. Then quickly we ran to the back of the motorcade to jump into a van designated for the press. We traveled to McGavock High School, traffic was stopped in all directions as we and the President made our way to the engagement.
President Barack Obama bounds up the stairs before giving remarks at McGavock High School. Photo by George Walker IV
Once we arrived at McGavock High School after the five minute drive from the airport, myself and other members of the “tight pool” were quickly escorted into the gymnasium to a corral in front of the crowd that filled the room. This is when I was just a few feet away from the President of the United States. It was a pretty cool feeling. We had a few minutes to wait before he came out to give his speech. Once he did come out the room was electric. After his speech he jumped off the podium and started to “press the flesh” with those who had waited hours to see him at the high school. After making his way around the room shaking hands we were whisked back to our press van in the motorcade and back the airport to meet Air Force One one more time. President Obama bounded up the stairs of his plane and he was gone. It was the longest day and the shortest day all at the same time. But man what a day!!!! One of the best in my 20 plus years here at The Tennessean.”
See all George’s photos at http://tnne.ws/1eqKBfU
Tennessean photographer George Walker IV photographing President Barack Obama at McGavock High School
