Several people told me they enjoyed my blog about the Presidential visit to Fort Bragg this summer, so I’m writing these observations about the most recent appearance by the Commander-In-Chief.

8:40 a.m.- Armed with fresh directions from Mapquest, photographer Reid Bennett and I hit the road to Greensboro. Lucky for us, Satellite Truck operator Bob VanTiegham spent the night in Forsyth County and has already set up much of the technical equipment we will need for the day.

Security in Greensboro for the President's visit.

10:30 a.m.- We arrive in the outskirts of Greensboro and immediately notice the place is swarmed by police. It will be about 90 minutes before Air Force One lands in the Triad, and it appears the men and women in uniform posted at every intersection are really bored.

10:45 a.m.- Mapquest proves to be right. We find the elementary school where the President will be making his remarks on education reform. We are somewhat surprised to see we are the only Charlotte media outlet covering this visit.

10:50 a.m- There is normally a flurry of activity in the hours before a Presidential visit, but the scene outside the elementary school is very relaxed. No one seems rushed. The secret service is keeping everyone outside until 11:30 a.m.

10:55 a.m.- I notice another difference between this visit and almost every other Presidential appearance I have covered. Organizers have opted not to bring in the outdoor restroom facilities which are normally provided for the horde of volunteers, support staff, and media types who are now gathered in the parking lot. Maybe they will let us into the school a few minutes early? The nearest public restroom is about two miles away.

11:10 a.m.- My silent prayers are answered. Security waves reporters through the front doors more than 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. Lines quickly form at the nearest restrooms.

Waiting in the gym/auditorium for the President to arrive.

11:15 a.m.- Mr. Bush will be speaking in a cafeteria which doubles as a gym/auditorium. The White House really does an amazing job transforming spaces like this into a virtual television studio. They’ve brought in a backdrop which looks remarkably like a classroom (because packing dozens of reporters and 200 invited guests into an actual classroom would probably be a bit uncomfortable). There are lighting rigs, risers for cameras, and dozens of electrical outlets recently added for all of the equipment needed to broadcast the President’s remarks across the Carolinas.

11:30 a.m.- All of those invited guests begin arriving. The White House press people begin playing smooth jazz over the loudspeakers. Quite soothing, but not the ideal background for reporters preparing for live reports in their midday newscasts.

11:45 a.m.- I spot CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman in the growing crowd. The White House keeps the media separated from spectators by a velvet rope, presumably to discourage cameras from getting too close to the VIP’s in the room. Dr. Gorman comes up to the velvet rope to say hi. We arrange to catch up with him again after the President’s remarks.

President Bush arrived in Greensboro around noon Wednesday.

12:00 p.m.- The Secret Service will lock us in the cafeteria/gym/auditorium in 30 minutes. A last minute restroom break is advised. The President’s arrival is still two hours away.

12:15 p.m.- There is a bulletin board posted to the right of the stage. It reads “We love you President Bush!” and it is signed by a kindergarten class. I’m not sure I knew who the President was when I was in kindergarten. I’m sure at least some students at the school were happy to hear classes would be cancelled because of the President’s visit.

12:25- The media’s last minute rush. There are now eleven television cameras crammed on the two levels of risers. About a half-dozen still photographers also claim a perch. Space is at a premium, there is little elbow room. A few media types are getting fussy.

12:30 p.m.- The lockdown is now in effect. All of the smooth Jazz is making me sleepy. I make notes about a recent poll commissioned by a Greensboro television station. The survey shows the President’s approval rating has dropped 6-percent, below 40-percent. In an e-mail sent Tuesday, the state Democratic party predicted few G.O.P Congressmen would show up to hear the President’s remarks. I survey the room. I do not see any lawmakers in the crowd, which is unusual for a Presidential visit.

1:00 p.m.- The White House makes an announcement asking the audience to turn off all pagers and cell phones. A few puzzled spectators glance at their watch, probably wondering if they can survive an hour in this room with no contact with the outside world.

President Bush greeted people at a local restaurant during lunch

1:35 p.m.- A member of the Secret Service walks out on stage, carrying what appears to be a blue velvet bag. He pulls out a Presidential seal, probably about six inches in diameter, and hangs it on the front of the podium. He then carefully folds the velvet bag. I get the impression that the Presidential seal travels pretty comfortably under this agent’s watch.

1:41 p.m.- The President has been lunching with some handpicked VIP’s, and they are sneaking in the side door. The late arrivals include Senator Richard Burr and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx. They are the only two members of N.C.’s Congressional delegation in the audience.

The White House press pool.

1:56 p.m.- This is the sign we’ve been waiting for. The arrival of the White House press pool. These are the poor people who make a living following the President’s every step. It’s a brutal schedule and these folks always look a little worn out. It makes me appreciate the last two hours we’ve spent in the air conditioned gym/auditorium/cafeteria listening to smooth jazz. Anyway, their arrival means the President is likely minutes away.

2:04 p.m.- Someone else is sneaking in the side door. It’s White House press secretary Tony Snow. He creates quite a stir among the spectators. He’s probably the most recognizable face now in the room.

2:06 p.m.- Another Secret Service agents approach the podium. He is carrying two black folders. He places the folders on the podium. The President’s arrival is imminent.

2:07 p.m.- Something funny happens.That voice you’ve probably heard if you’ve seen any Presidential appearance says”Ladies and Gentleman”…spectators rise to their feet…”The Pr…” there is wild applause…” followed by the announcer finishing his sentence “…incipal of Waldo Faulkner Elementary School” The spectators realize they’ve been had. Laughter follows, then the announcer…”and the President of the United States”

President Bush talked about No Child Left Behind.

2:38 p.m- The President concludes his remarks. I’m hoping to talk with Senator Richard Burr, but he makes a bee line for the side door and is gone before the President has stepped down from the podium. We do talk with Rep. Virginia Foxx who offers an interesting quote when we ask why so few members of Congress were in attendance. “I certainly did not want any doubts about my running away from the President because I don’t feel that way about it, but it’s possible that some members of Congress couldn’t rearrange their schedule,” Foxx tells us. Interesting scenario with mid-term elections less than a month away.

2:45 p.m.- We catch up with Dr. Gorman. He says the President’s plan for education reform has been mostly positive for CMS, but he is concerned about the financial burden it places on the district. The feds do not fully fund all of the mandates they require. The President is asking Congress for more funding. Gorman is optimistic.

3:00 p.m.- Back to the satellite truck. Crunch time begins. We must compile our report fo the 5 p.m. newscast. The President is off to a fundraising dinner at a private home, a $1000 per plate affair out of the glare of cameras. We’ll be hitting a drive-thru on the way back to Charlotte.