From: eisimps@cie.uoregon.edu (Eileen Simpson)
Subject: Re:  Strangers in Paradise
Organization: University of Oregon Campus Information Exchange
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 07:52:05 GMT

Well, now that the important election stuff is out of the way, I thought I
would take a moment to mention some observations about the "behind the
scenes" stuff when a Presidential campaign comes to town at the same time
you have national coverage of a state Ballot Measure (9).

I was working on the Clinton campaign.  When I started, some asked me if I
felt guilty working for a Dem.  No--in fact Bush made it easy, the way he
campaigned.

Clinton came to Eugene a number of times.  Whenever he did, the  volunteers
wanted to see the event, not work it.  We were always dealing with an
abundance of lookers and a shortage of workers for the day of the event.
As a result, I took my 15 y.o. out of school and she was allowed to work
the airport reception and arrival.

The Secret Service is really a class act.  They are well-mannered and
professional.  You also do not mess with them.

In comparison to what we have read on the net about Bush security at
events, Clinton's security was maintained by my 15 y.o. checking passes
with the Secret Service.  Once it was clear we would have room for more
people on the area we were allowed next to the tarmac, we allowed people in
without passes.

The Advance Team works its buns off.  They were pleasant and calm.  It was
really a treat to watch and I complimented them when they left for how they
were able to carry things off and remain sane despite working with new
amatuers every day.  They said that wasn't the hard part of the job, it was
bad food.  So when they came back I bought them food from a good take out
place.  Please consider this a bipartisan appeal for people to feed advance
teams when they come to your town.  They really are amazed and touched when
anyone remembers them.

One of the highlights of our experience was standing on the tarmac while
the planes were coming in to unload.  It's quite a rush to have a large
wing coming at you!  (They turn, of course, but it was pretty close for my
money.)

But the best part was getting to tell the national press corps where to go
when they deplaned.  (A dream shared by many in this culture, on a
bipartisan basis!)  The press corps is sort of like a giant frat party of
the air.  They count on the volunteers not knowing for *sure* who can get
away with what.

Example:  We were told only the "pool" got to go in one area.  So we're
telling them that they can't go there if they are not pool.  Result:  a
bunch of them announce they are "extended pool" or "special pool" and
charge the area en masse.

Suggestion:  do not show hesitation or fear or confusion.  Look like you
have the clarity and will of a doberman, and the bite to match.  Then
politely refuse to accept their complaints.

I got to do what I call "Press Confront" during the last stop on this trip.
My job was to keep the press from wandering over to where Clinton was
resting.  Most were no problem at all.  A couple of guys were probably
*not* really looking for the well-marked bathroom at the time they got into
my area tho.  It was kinda fun:  I just would put on my pleasant smile and
nicest voice and then step directly into their path and not move until I
had ever so nicely found out where they wanted to be.  One of the advance
people told me I could have a new career if I wanted to.  (Yeah,
right--riding herd on the press would be my idea of a really great job.)


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