JANUARY 20, 2009 --

Nearly two years ago, on a cold February evening, LPR went to a midtown hotel in Manhattan where Senator Barack Obama was scheduled to speak to a gathering people interested in his presidential campaign. A large crowd gathered in one of the ballrooms and the doors were closed to a few of us with low-level NYPD press cards.

LPR stayed outside the ballroom just in case – and sure enough, the door that had barred entry was opened a bit making it possible for LPR to get some images from afar of the candidate (who at that time was clearly a long shot for the Democratic nomination, much less the presidency). Mrs. Obama spoke before her husband addressed the audience, which surprised LPR by its size.

LPR has no memory of what the candidate said (it is likely that he cited the need for “change,” among other things) and only recalls that Mrs. Obama gave the crowd a homey touch, saying that she has to pick up after her husband at home.

After Senator Obama spoke many of the people rushed to meet him and nothing barred LPR from fully entering the ballroom. LPR was startled to see the candidate and his wife heading out a door not far from the LPR camera. But with the couple, there was a number of people pushing to get close to them—and blocking LPR which managed to get hurried close-ups of now President Obama and the First Lady, that appear here, with one of the images of the candidate that LPR got when outside a door to the ballroom that was opened a crack.

LPR wishes President Obama well. If he is a good president, the country can only benefit. And for LPR, our chief executive will be a good president if he follows the counsel stated in Federalist 57. It seems to LPR that if government can determine the manner of our television reception (with the switch to digital I have lost most of my broadcast channels), government officials can be required to study The Federalist Papers and serve the people faithfully, thereto.

Congratulations President Obama. May God grant your presidential tenure to be a blessing for the American people, and a comfort to the world.