More than two thousand supporters crowded the downtown streets of Mansfield today for President Obama's latest visit to Ohio. It marked his ninth trip to Ohio this year; his third visit to the state in a month.
But I'd like to tell you what happened after that campaign appearance. The president gave me an exclusive one-on-one interview. I was the only Ohio television reporter given exclusive access to the president.
My photojournalist Kevin Beining and I watched the 20 minute speech from under the nearby press tent in Mansfield's Central Park. The weather was pleasant. It was warm, but low humidity.
Several speakers warmed up the crowd including former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Mansfield pizza shop owner and self-proclaimed "mother and wife of a middle class family" Brenda Baker introduced the president to thunderous applause and uplifting music.
Following his speech to the crowd, the president "worked the rope line" as his aides called it. He shook hands with supporters as everybody with a camera phone captured the moment. Then he got a quick lunch in private.
About 20 minutes after the speech, a White House aide motioned for Kevin and me to follow her. She led us to the pre-arranged interview setting. Ed Pickens' Cafe on Main was a lovely deli with vintage architectural detail and exposed pipes and vents on what looked like painted tin ceilings.
All the tables had been cleared away so we had a wide open space. Perhaps as payback for taking over Ed's restaurant, the White House press team asked that we aim our cameras toward a sign bearing the restaurant's name.
Kevin, who'd set up the camera and lights earlier, stood ready to roll as we waiting for the arrival of the president. An aide came out and whispered "five minutes." Ten minutes later she came out again. "Five minutes for real this time," she smiled.
Various staffers started appearing from behind louvered doors at the rear of the restaurant. There was a quiet seriousness.
The next time I looked to the door, the president strode out with a kind smile. "Hello Diane," he said in a casual, comfortable manner. "Hello Mr. President," I replied. "Thank you for taking the time for this interview."
I had five minutes. A tight five minutes. An aide earlier told me that she would let me know when it was the last question. So the interview began.
I asked the president about Ohio governor John Kasich's visit to Toledo Monday where he took credit for Ohio's gradually improving economic condition while at the same time, the President believes his bailout of the auto industry has strengthened what's happening in Ohio.
I asked the president about a recent Forbes list that puts Toledo almost at the bottom in the state as a place to do business and start a career. He had a strong reply to that question.
We talked of today's New York Times, CBS News, Quinnipiac University poll that puts the president ahead of presumptive nominee Mitt Romney in three battleground states, including Ohio.
When his aide said "last question", I asked him what being president has revealed about his character that he didn't know about himself four years ago.
We're airing portions of the interview Thursday on 13abc Action News. We will post it the interview its entirety on our website too.
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