Connie Lawn: Obama in the Rose Garden

He never promised us a rose garden. Still, that is what we got on an exceptionally beautiful spring day in Washington. President Obama held a joint news conference with visiting President Lee of South Korea. The topics were serious – North Korea, nuclear threats, and the crises in Iran. But the setting was glorious!

I have been fortunate to attend many of these conferences in the White House since 1968. I thought I would take you inside this one. The outdoor ones are held whenever weather permits. At times, they have to be moved inside at the last minute. This day, there was strong sun for most of the time. Periodically there was a mild, welcome breeze. There were not too many insects to bother us, although the President did kill a fly which bothered him inside during a t.v. interview. After he slapped him down, the President proclaimed “I got that sucker!”

Often there are protests going on on Pennsylvania Avenue, on the other side of the White House. Some protestors are allowed along the fence while others are in Lafayette Park. But, today they were relatively quiet, and did not interfere with the press conference. Security was tight for the South Korean President, so it kept the number of protestors down. Often these protests are very passionate and emotional, and are very moving to watch. The most amazing one I witnessed was against the Shah of Iran, as he was meeting with Jimmie Carter. The demonstrators became unruly, police used tear gas, and it drifted onto the White House grounds! All of us were choking, including the President and the Shah!

There was none of the drama this time. The press conference was an orderly, friendly affair. Most of it went according to program, with two questions from the American press corps, and two from the Korean. The callers are selected beforehand. We all had head sets, to listen to the translation, as needed. At the end, we shouted out a question about Iran. President Obama returned to the podium and gave long remarks. His basic line is one of grave concern, but the US should not meddle at this time.

I was lucky to have gotten a seat in the second row, quite close to the Presidential podium. President Obama is handsome and cool in person – no different from the man you see on television. He has the gift that Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan possessed – he makes you feel comfortable. Even when you are not called on, you believe he notices you and pretends you are important. At the same time, you can see he has a tough side and is not a man you want to cross.

This Rose Garden news conference is held close to the fancy swing set, built for the Obama girls. They and their dog Bo were not outside at the time. But later, First Lady Michelle came out to their vegetable garden with a group of school children. They harvested and ate the vegetables they had planted earlier in the year.

All in all, it was another very pleasant day at the White House, despite the grave problems existing in the outside world.

Wishing you were here, this is Connie Lawn, at the White House

Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

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