By Claire DeRoin–
There were a few things that the public wouldn’t perhaps know about what went on behind the scenes before and during President Obama’s visit to Morningside College:
• A large white tent complete with phone lines, internet access, and scores of power strips served as a mobile work station for the White House Press Corps and the national media. The tent was located behind Lewis Hall.
• La Juanita’s catered the White House Press Corps tent.
• The President had been in Des Moines earlier in the afternoon.
• Secret Service snipers on the roof of Roadman Hall watched the crowd through binoculars during the President’s speech.
• The streets around Morningside were repainted in the days before President Obama’s visit.
• The media was counting on the President speaking at 6:30, and almost everyone was caught off-guard by his early appearance. Only one local news channel captured the beginning of the President’s speech.
• A small plane flew in circles over campus for some time leading up to the president’s appearance.
• There was a makeshift press conference area in the press tent complete with a podium, flags, and a backdrop. It would be used in the event that the President would need to immediately address the nation.
• The President stopped at Bob Roe’s to pick up a pepperoni pizza before speaking on campus.
—
