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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Obama at G'Town-Duke
Matt Cashore, Photographer
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South Bend | IN | USA | Posted: 11:13 AM on 01.31.10 |
->> First a disclaimer that this is not in any way, shape or form remotely political. Purely a curiosity question about logistics.
Any Sportsshooter members at the Jan. 30 Georgetown game attended by President Obama? How did that affect your ability to work?
One of my personal waking nightmares is a presidential visit to a sporting event. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 11:30 AM on 01.31.10 |
->> Matt,
I wasn't at the game but it usually doesn't do much in the way of interfere, except for a stronger security check going in. Spending 11 years in Washington I covered a number of sports events with such dignitaries in attendance.
You may be limited a little in being able to walk down a certain sideline but generally in those situations they are pretty good about photographers getting around to do their job.
And when he heads in or out a tunnel you may be delayed going down it by a couple minutes. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:38 AM on 01.31.10 |
| ->> .....but I can attest after the 1994 final four in charlotte when clinton came to the game the fans were pissed. it didn't effect us shooting (since he was in a private box) but some of the fans missed part of the game because they were stuck in horrendous security lines trying to get in. |
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Lance King, Photographer
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Fayetteville | NC | USA | Posted: 1:44 PM on 02.01.10 |
->> Matt, I was at the game Saturday. I arrived at the Verizon Center (VC) about two hours prior to the tip and didn't have a clue about the President's plans to attend. However, as soon as the Secret Service began to search my bag I figured he or someone pretty important would be there. The Secret Service agent was professional and basically wanted to see everything in my bag, particularly my lenses. Not a big deal, took about four minutes.
Once in the media room the buzz was all about the President. It was my first time shooting a game at the VC and a fellow shooter mentioned seating was not assigned. He and I went to drop our seats on the baseline that Duke was coming towards during the first half.
About 15 minutes prior to the tip a VC shooter/rep asked me who I shot for and if I had a spot. I told him and pointed to my spot. He said, although I had a photo credential like everyone else, that I might be "moved". As it turned out, the spot I had chosen was about 10 feet from where Obama was going to sit (I had no clue until that time). He said with the President coming, normal "rules" did not apply.
For fear of being "moved" to a less desirable spot, and being the nice person that I am, I when ahead and moved to the other baseline, basically where I wanted to be for the second half. I moved my gear, but went back to hang out with the other photographers in anticipation of Obama's arrival.
President Obama walked in about four minutes prior to the tip, and even with the frenzy, I was able to get some decent shots. I returned to my new home and was able to get a few of him watching the action. At halftime, I walked back to the other end and was able to get a few more from about six feet away. The Secret Service and VC officials were keeping everyone else away from the President, but basically let us do our thing since, for the most part, we kept a reasonable distance from him.
Other than being told there was a chance I would be “moved”, it didn’t affect my ability to work at all.
Here are a few of my shots:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/lanceimages/obama_duke_gtown/ |
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Ian Halperin, Photographer
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Plano(Dallas) | TX | USA | Posted: 1:58 PM on 02.01.10 |
| ->> I know they rely somewhat on the "randomness" of his schedule to keep the President safe, but I thought they tried to keep the Veep and POTUS separated at public events. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:33 AM on 02.02.10 |
->> "...the 1994 final four in charlotte when clinton came to the game..."
I was in the travel pool with Clinton that day. As we were going in an Arkansas fan offered any of us $8000 in cash for one of our (access to the floor) credentials because he didn't have a ticket.
Sooooo tempting. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 11:02 AM on 02.02.10 |
| ->> Ian - I believe the president and VP are only restricted from flying on the same airplane. There are 18 people, I believe, below the president in the line of succession, and for obvious reasons they cannot be in the same place at once. |
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Nick Wass, Photographer
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Wheaton | MD | USA | Posted: 4:26 PM on 02.02.10 |
->> yes i was there photographing the game for the AP and as it happened Obama showed up as well
lots of power there that day
Obama, Biden, Biden's son, Rahm Emanuel, and several of his advisers
also in the same row Ted Leonsis, Capitlas owner and Mark Lerner ,part owner of the Nationals
when i arrived my car was searched inside and out
also we went through the mags and our gear was searched by the Secret Service-5 minutes at the most once it was my turn
Mitchell Layton who is the Verizon and Georgetown team photog made sure all the regulars had spots then acommodated those who usually aren't there for the games
there was plenty of room
besides all 4 end lines could be used since it was a cbs game and no rolling banners were involved
my spot was second in from the corner and an excellent view of the President
there was a lotta crowding by the media before tip off waiting for the President to appear -there was a little bit of scrambling for position but the secret service put an end to that telling people to get off the court and get behind the dotted line but on the most part it was somewhat orderly.
the only other time things were a bit crazy was halftime
kudos to Mitchell Layton for keep his cool and organizing the photogs, Mex of Gtown sports info for also keeping order and to Pete Souza who gave me id's on obama's staff members
very difficult to cover having two great basketball teams-Duke and Georgetown on your left and the most powerful man in the world 6 feet to your right!
all in all a great experience
and it snowed! |
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