Connie Wilson: White House Press Corps MemberBlog for Iowa's intrepid reporter hides her true Deaniac colors and goes au Republican
White House Press Corps Member: September 14th, Denver, Colorado….
AND YOU WERE THERE!
By Connie Wilson
Whatever made me think that I could masquerade as a good Republican and get a White House Press Pass for the Bush Rally at Coors Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado, on Tuesday, September 14th? I do own a “good Republican cloth coat,” but it was much too warm for wearing that. So I put on my best Omega gold jewelry and my caramel-colored Jones of New York three-piece suit with matching heels to pick up my tickets. The woman making us sign our names, addresses and serial numbers complimented me on my outfit. I was, as they say, “In like Flynn.” (Or was it Flint?) I brazenly asked her, “How do I go about getting a Press Pass for the event?” Here comes, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.”
As it turned out, it was no easy matter getting this official White House Press Pass. You had to fax a request, on letterhead, complete with your name, date of birth, social security number, organization for which you wrote, your affiliation with this organization, your blood type and your approximate net worth. I’m just kidding about the last two, but I’m not kidding about the others. [And me without a letterhead! Or enough of a net worth!]
Sue Ann in the Press Box
My trusty Republican friend, Sue Ann, and I had just returned from my book signing, in the scenic prison town of Canon City (7 miles from the Royal Gorge). It was midnight. We had to gerry rig a “letterhead” from the blog picture, provide the information requested, and fax it. We also had phone numbers to call, which I did at 6 a.m. the day of the event (no answers). It was midnight, the night before the event.
“But they won’t get this until the day of the event,” said Sue Ann.
I fixed her with a steely gaze. “That’s the beauty part, Sue Ann. It’s genius!
I’m counting on it, in fact…That, plus your vast array of camera equipment. Hang everything you own around your neck! We’ll either look very official or we’ll look like lost Japanese tourists.”
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