Visit to The White House, Cinco de Mayo

[Oscar Carter]

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I was invited to the White House last night by The President and Mrs. Obama.

I arrived about 4:45PM before the event that was scheduled to start at 5:00PM. (Don’t be late for White House events I learned. They start on time). My first stop was the bathroom after checking my coat in the Library. I do not know which Library it was. While in the bathroom I called my eldest daughter Leslie and told her that I was in the White House in one of the bathrooms and she could boast that her voice was in the White House.

I do not want to make this too long a story. I am going to jump to the 10 minute talk The President presented in his usual eloquent, confident and expert way. He was joined on the podium by Mrs. Obama, Vice President Biden and Mrs. Biden and the ambassador from Mexico and his wife. Following the President’s talk, I found my way through the crowd, I approximate at 3-400 people and introduced myself to Mrs. Biden. I told her that she was doing a Great job. I then found my way to the Vice President and said; “Hello Mr. Vice President; my name is Oscar Carter from New York. I want to let you know you are doing a Great job.” He said, “Hello Oscar Carter from New York, thank you very much.”

Then I found my way to the President. I went up to him, introduced myself and handed him my card that reads Creating A World Community. I told him that he stole Creating A World Community from me. He seemed a little confused. I told him that after reading The Audacity of Hope, it was clear to me that he had stolen Creating A World Community from me. He then stated, laughingly, “You know, yes I did,” while I observed him putting my card in his left side pants pocket. I then told him he was doing a fantastic job and excused myself.

I next attempted to work my way to Mrs. Obama. I found it harder to get to her and it seemed every time I got close to introduce myself she would turn the other way and greet someone else. I even felt I should “cool out” a bit with the thought that people might think I was stalking her. After a good 10 minutes and perhaps longer, I noticed one of her escorts, a gentleman, whisper to a female escort which I assumed at the time and later learned in speaking with him that he wanted her to direct Mrs. Obama to me. In fact, the female escort actually pulled Mrs. Obama by her waist and turned her toward me at which point I introduced myself to Mrs. Obama. I told her I wanted her to know she was the main reason I had decided to work on the campaign. (I had never been involved with politics previously) I told her I Had memorized her stump speech about fear and how she did not want her daughters to grow up in a country, in a world, based on fear. I told her I identified with the speech because I also have two daughters and felt that if she was willing to put her daughters on the line, (that’s the way her statement occurred to me) that I could step out my comfort and campaign for Barack Obama’s candidacy for President. I then told her that in that speech she referenced her husband as being “Special.” I then pointed my finger at her and said, “You are Special.” She enthusiastically gave me a big smile in acknowledgement and said “thank you Oscar, I really appreciate that.” I excused myself and enjoyed meeting a few other people over wine and h’orderves and some really great Mexican music.

I am very proud and thankful for President Barack Obama, his family and our Administration.

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[Oscar Carter]

I have been volunteering with Organizing for America since January and was invited by one of the leaders there for my efforts in Harlem,a model work community in my view.

[Deborah Reynolds]

Wow Oscar I just read this, hence the late congrats. What an experience that must have been. I know you are special guy, but how did you get such an awsome invite.

[Sherell Slaise]

Again, what an awesome opportunity! Glad YOU experienced it.

[Oscar Carter]

Thank you so much for your comment sweetbert.

[sweetbert ruge]

Big up oscar your good hard working I my self am very proud of you to be close to the president is not joking.May the Lord be with you always.

[Karama Akram Sultan]

WE PROUD OF YOU!! YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT BUT YOU HAVE TAKEN A BIG STEP UP TO THIS POINT. OFCOURSE I CNT TELL YOU TO WORK HARD BCOZ UR A HARD WORKER.. KEEP IT UP

[Sally Twahir]

CONGRATULATIONS OSCAR! I LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING WITH YOU.
SO VERY GLAD YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE AND GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE, AND THE VICE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE.

[elibariki amoni]

keep it up dad you will make it from Tanzania

[Valerie Gamache]

Congratulations Oscar! I look forward to building with you the end of the week! In UNITY 1luv xoxo Valerie

[Gladys]

SO VERY GLAD YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE AND GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE, AND THE VICE PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE. NO MATTER HOW COOL YOU ARE, A VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE BRINGS A VERY SPECIAL APPRECIATION AND YOU CANNOT HELP BUT FEEL PROUD. DURING THE NINETIES COMMEMORATION OF WW TWO,YOUR DAD AND I, BOTH VETERANS HAD THE CHANCE TO HAVE BREAKFAST AT THE WHITE HOUSE. PRESIDENT CLINTON GREETED US IN A RECEPTION LINE AND SPOKE TO THE GROUP MORE FORMALLY.
YOUR VISIT SOUNDS LESS FORMAL AND MORE LIKE HAVING FRIENDS OVER .FANTASTIC !!!!