OT... NET54 member in the crowd at the Debate last night

[Blunder19]

Hey Guys..

Thought you would get a kick out of knowing I was one of the 80 people in the circle around The President and Romney last night.. check it out.. what a great night it was... too bad I didnt get to ask my question...

Johnny V had told me to hold up a card and ask.. is this Printer Scrap?













ofcourse Im a collector.. I had to get an autograph

[tcdyess]

That auto looks a little fishy!!! What a great experience.. thanks for sharing the pics!!!!

[atx840]

Very cool Jamie....up here we just let the candidates see who can throw a snowball the furthest...not much to debate really.

[byrone]

Surprised by the number of left-handed Presidents

Quick internet search reveals these, from the 20th century to today:

Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) 31st
Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) 33rd
Gerald Ford (1974-1977) 38th
Ronald Reagan (1981 -1989) 40th (actually a right-handed writer)
George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) 41st
Bill Clinton (1993-2001) 42nd
Barack Obama

[Al C.risafulli]

How very cool. Thanks for sharing.

-Al

[ethicsprof]

congratulations!!!
no need for a COA or LOA for that autograph!
Quite an amazing event to be present for methinks.
all the best,
barry

[RayBShotz]

What a night of a lifetime!

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by tcdyess

That auto looks a little fishy!!!

Quite agree, quite agree... without a numbered hologram and its accompanying certificate of authenticity it's totally worthless.

[4815162342]

That's pretty cool. I would have preferred pictures and an autograph from the other debate participant, but still that's pretty cool.

[Jlighter]

That's awesome.

What was your question?

[kmac32]

Wonder if his signature comes on rolls to display in your bathroom?

[HRBAKER]

4 out of the last 5 POTUS are lefties. flipper-wise that is
that's a curve buster

[t206blogcom]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

That's pretty cool. I would have preferred pictures and an autograph from the other debate participant, but still that's pretty cool.

+1

[Rickyy]

Ha! Very Cool! It must have been an honor just to be invited.

Ricky Y

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by 4815162342 View Post
That's pretty cool. I would have preferred pictures and an autograph from the other debate participant, but still that's pretty cool.

Your guy didn't stick around. Not surprising, since he knew he'd be wasting his time on 37.6 of the people there.

Great night Jamie, I am envious.

[Jay Wolt]

Jamie, very cool, how were you chosen to be one of the 80?

[HOFautosChris]

What a great experience. What is the selection process to attend such a event. Friday I will have the pleasure of meeting Bill Clinton will be bringing a baseball and photos for autographs.

[barrysloate]

What an incredible experience Jamie...if you had the opportunity you could have asked the candidates their position on third party grading.

[7nohitter]

Great pics....must've been a blast....the debate was entertaining to say the least!

[vintagecpa]

Congrats on a wonderful evening Jamie. It was one of the more memorable debates I've ever watched. If you don't mind me asking, how does the whole process work? Do they draw numbers to see who gets to ask their question first? Do they choose the questions based on how the debate is going? Do they change the wording of your question before it can be asked? Do you actually get to ask your own question? etc.

[Buythatcard]

I am not sure but I thought I saw Shoeless Joe in one of the pics.

Great pics!

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

I just love the juxtaposition of the facial expressions between you and the woman in front of you. She looks very concerned, while you look very excited.

[Blunder19]

Thanks for the comments everyone. glad you liked the pics.

How I was selected: Random phone calls were made to people that lived in Nassau County Long Island (around the location for the debate)... 1st you had to be lucky enough to not hang up on this cold caller (as I always do.. but for some reason not this time).. and then you had to be considered an "undecided voter" after answering their questions.. if they determined you undecided and registered among a few other qualifications... you would be invited to attend.. I had to also pass a secret service background check.

I didnt find out until Monday that I had passed the background check and I was in.

How the Process works: They sent me a package in the mail 2 envelopes with 4 index cards each. One marked Moderator, the other marked participant. I had to think of 4 questions, and then copy them on the moderator cards. When we arrived yesterday they took the Moderator copy of the questions... Candy then selected everyone best question .... we found out which was our best question.. and had to throw away the other 3.. now we were all left with 1 question... but they would not tell us who would be asking the questions... they said if we heard our name on live TV.. we would know its time for us to stand up and ask.. so that made it a little nerve racking for all of us not to know who would ask.. we only knew out of the 80 people.. they would only have time to get to 10-15 questions. But all of the questions asked were ones created by the people who asked them.

My question was about small businesses... as my dad plans to retire within the next 4 years.. I will be left in charge or running the company.. the question was what issues do you recognize over the last 4 years that have hurt small business owners... and what would you change over the next 4.. to help improve things for SB owners.... But i was going to make a joke about my dad "being old" when talking about him retiring... and that he'd probably fell asleep for the debate.. and I was hoping he was DVR'ing the debate.. it would have been great to say it...

oh well still was great..

PS: I had no pictures with Romney because he only stayed around for about 5-10 minutes... Obama was there for about an hour afterwards.

[barrysloate]

Jamie- I just saw you for a split second on Channel 4 news...I'm sure you will be on the national news, too.

[Buythatcard]

Jamie,

Just saw your pic on cnn.com.

Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame.

[Blunder19]

lol.. really? I will turn it on.. thanks

[mrvster]

CONGRATS AGAIN!!

WOW!!!

We are proud of you!!...

BTW.....


What was Obamas stance on scrap???

[wolf441]

Congrats, that is an experience that you can tell your grand kids about! I would have asked the candidates their stance on the Walsh Old Mill Blue Back. I can even hear Obama's response: "Let me be clear....that card is 100% genuine."

[ibuysportsephemera]

One of the woman who asked a question is a friend of my parents. I grew up on Long Island and she was from Rockville Centre.

Jeff

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

I just love the juxtaposition of the facial expressions between you and the woman in front of you. She looks very concerned, while you look very excited.

Hilarious observation!

[dog*dirt]

Jamie, congrats!! Wish you could have brought the Large Ass Herzog with you
last night.

[howard38]

/

[terjung]

Regardless of your political affiliation, that is still quite an honor.

Congratulations on what I'm sure will be a day you will remember for the rest of your life.

[Big Ben]

Congratulations Jamie! That is awesome. Years ago, I attended a speech/event which turned out to be one of the more important speeches of that President's career. Trust me, you will never forget this experience.

[Blunder19]

Cspan Link..
http://www.c-span.org/Debates/Events...10737434294-8/

Apparently I shouldnt have rubbed my face durring the first 10 seconds.. as the video clip starts on my face lol

[drc]

I wasn't allowed within a 100 yards of the venue because my political ideas are too real.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by drc

I wasn't allowed within a 100 yards of the venue because my political ideas are too real.

Don't worry, neither were either of the other 2 candidates that are on the ballot running for the Presidency

Congrats Jamie, looks like you had a great time !!!!

Sincerely, Clayton

[irishdenny]

Originally Posted by Blunder19

Hey Guys..

Thought you would get a kick out of knowing I was one of the 80 people in the circle around The President and Romney last night.. check it out.. what a great night it was... too bad I didnt get to ask my question...

Sometimes Life throws us a NiCe Sweet Fat Curve Ball and Knocking it out of the Park because we were totally iN the Zone that Day iS Just to Easy ;-)

You my friend... seem to of had that experience,

"I can See... What a Brilliant Night You had!"

My oldest Son is iN His 1st year of Collage... You lived his Dream! He is a Political Geek... I say this with Humbling Pride, as I am very proud of him and who he is becoming...

Jamie, watching You with that Big Wonderful smile of Your's, reminded me of how cool of a Country we live in!

What a Night! I can see that You Very much Enjoyed Yourself...

"Brilliant... Simply Brilliant!!!"

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

congratulations!!!
no need for a COA or LOA for that autograph!
Quite an amazing event to be present for methinks.
all the best,
barry

I would be willing to bet money if you sent that in to one of the ABC boys, they would not pass it!

[MVSNYC]

very cool, thanks for sharing.

[slidekellyslide]

What a memory for a lifetime! Congrats...George Will called this the best presidential debate he's seen since 1960. When I noticed people getting the president's autograph I was thinking to myself how great it would be to bring a baseball in to have both Obama and Romney sign it. I wonder if the secret service would allow someone to bring a baseball in there?

[aquarius31]

Wow that's awesome Jamie! Thanks for sharing.

[isaac2004]

Should have got that dual signed with Romney or Michelle, tsk tsk

Regardless, I am undeniably envious of you

[AustinMike]

Congratulations!! As some others have said, I am also very envious. Regardless of who you end up voting for, I know it was an experience you will remember for the rest of your life (or until Old-Timer's disease hits).

PS-FWIW, I think you got the right autograph.

[tiger8mush]

Very cool Jamie! Congrats!

May I ask an ignorant question as I'm not big on politics and haven't watched the debates and I will try to keep this question as non-political as possible, if thats possible, but why is it only Romney-Obama? Are the Green/Independent/Libertarian parties that are listed on the ballots allowed to attend the debates?

[rc4157]

Jamie, Congratulations on an incredible experience. I for one would have liked to heard the responses to your question, if they would have actually answered it.

RC

[BleedinBlue]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Very cool Jamie! Congrats!

May I ask an ignorant question as I'm not big on politics and haven't watched the debates and I will try to keep this question as non-political as possible, if thats possible, but why is it only Romney-Obama? Are the Green/Independent/Libertarian parties that are listed on the ballots allowed to attend the debates?

I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but since you asked...

The Commission on Presidential Debates invites candidates that have a reasonable chance of winning. In general candidates must poll at a certain level (5%+) in order to be considered for the debate. None of the other candidates have shown anywhere close to that level of support.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by BleedinBlue

I don't want to turn this into a political discussion but since you asked...

The Commission on Presidential Debates invites candidates that have a reasonable chance of winning. In general candidates must poll at a certain level (5%+) in order to be considered for the debate. None of the other candidates have shown anywhere close to that level of support.

Just to add a little to that, the media blackout of these candidates surely impeded their ability to tell the citizens of the U.S.of A. about their platform, ideas, and the policies they would implement (or, try to) if they were to be elected. There are 4, but we will only be allowed to know about 2.

If they are on the ballot they should have been alowed to participate in EVERY debate. The system is biased.

Sincerely, Clayton

[BleedinBlue]

Originally Posted by teetwoohsix

Just to add a little to that, the media blackout of these candidates surely impeded their ability to tell the citizens of the U.S.of A. about their platform, ideas, and the policies they would implement (or, try to) if they were to be elected. There are 4, but we will only be allowed to know about 2.

If they are on the ballot they should have been alowed to participate in EVERY debate. The system is biased.

Sincerely, Clayton

No doubt. Perot bought himself enough publicity to be relevant in 1992 and got into the debates. Ron Paul might have been able to generate enough support had he gone third party. Gary Johnson did get a national stage during the early republican debates.

As for the autograph. Regardless of what happens next month you got the autograph of the 44th president of the United States. Romney may be 45 or he might be a footnote. The fact that you have video of you being there is priceless.

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by BleedinBlue

No doubt. Perot bought himself enough publicity to be relevant in 1992 and got into the debates. Ron Paul might have been able to generate enough support had he gone third party. Gary Johnson did get a national stage during the early republican debates.

As for the autograph. Regardless of what happens next month you got the autograph of the 44th president of the United States. Romney may be 45 or he might be a footnote. The fact that you have video of you being there is priceless.

Agreed, +1

Sincerely, Clayton