CNN iReport

As a Hofstra University student, I had an opportunity to sign up for Obama's debate-day motorcade.  I was selected by campaign workers, and was assigned to the "Staff 1" car, meaning I drove some pretty cool people to and from various locations.  I got to speak with the Secret Service agents, who are actually not as serious as British guards.  They were very friendly and talkative.  I asked one of them if his job was as cool as it looks on TV, and he said "I bet it isn't half as cool."

I drove David Axelrod (known by staff members as "Axe") and David Plouffe from La Guardia to Hofstra and enjoyed watching them review news reports about themselves on their Blackberries.  I recall one of them reading a story that suggested they "sneered" at something, and saying "I NEVER sneer!" with a laugh.  Axe was exhausted and was nodding off at times, but both of the campaign advisers were extremely nice and down to earth.  Plouffe mentioned that the Phillies were playing a game that day and jested that Axe would have to miss the debate, to which Axe replied "Hey, I can do two things at once."

After waiting for Obama to finish preparing at the Marriott, I drove Axe and Plouffe to Hofstra for the big event, and then listened to the debate on NPR in my car.  Afterward, I drove some of Michelle Obama's personal assistants to a hotel in NYC, where the entire staff was staying, and found out the future first lady was going to Pittsburgh the next day.  The senator and his wife rushed into the hotel and to their room as soon as we got there, so I didn't get to meet either of them, but I eventually saw Axelrod again on the street and took a quick picture.  I also saw Governor Richardson and asked him for a picture.  He replied, "Why don't I take it with you?" and was nice enough to drop everything just for me. 

I and the other drivers then waited for a shuttle back to school, where all of the action was now gone, and I ended my very long day, which began at 6am and finished at about 3am the next day.

It was awesome.