Shoe Column: The possible future First Gentleman comes to town

Editor’s note: The Portage County Democratic Party never notified the Metro Wire that Mr. Emhoff was coming to town, which is why Shoe’s name wasn’t on the media list. 

By Tim “Shoe” Sullivan

One of my hobbies is collecting presidential memorabilia. For instance, Bill Clinton signed a poster for me at the American Legion back when he was an Arkansas governor running for U.S. President. He also had a firm handshake and signed a coaster, too.

When George Bush came to town on the Southside many years ago, I ended up with an official Secret Service flashlight. Please don’t ask me how.

So it was with great interest when my buddy Jim Nitka said that Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, the possible future First Gentleman, was to be in town on Saturday, July 27, to give a short talk at the Democratic Headquarters on the Southside.

My goal was to add a few items to my collection. First, I wanted to pick up a yard sign that said “Harris for President.” I know they existed because I saw a picture of them online.

Next, and maybe more importantly, I wanted to get a photo of me shaking hands with Mr. Emhoff.

The first step was to scout out the headquarters. Actually, it was located about five minutes from my house.

So on Friday afternoon, I walked into the HQ. Just walked right in. Only one guy was there. We’ll call him “G,” and he seemed to be running the place.

We chatted for maybe 10 minutes, and he seemed very busy. He was quite friendly, I might add.

“G” had some bad news. The Harris yard signs had not yet arrived. That was not a good start.

And it soon got worse. “G” said: “I really doubt if Mr. Emhoff will have any time for photos. He will be speaking in several cities. And another thing, your name does not seem to be on our list, so you won’t even be allowed to come inside here.”

Whoa! WHAT list??

Apparently, to be able to go inside to see Mr. Emhoff’s speech, one had to be “vetted.” You know, like checked out.

So I had two strikes against me right off the bat.

Saturday morning came. At 9 a.m. I was sitting at home doing nothing. I thought, “Why aren’t I over at the HQ? The future First Gentleman (maybe) is going to be a few blocks away!”

I picked up a copy of the old Stevens Point Gazette. I had an idea. My photo and column were in that paper. Perfect proof that I was in the media! I never had “media” credentials, but so what? Since I wasn’t on their “list” of invitees, I would go as a member of the media.

At 9 a.m., I parked along Skipp’s and walked to the HQ. One guy was standing outside. We chatted. He was Collin McNamara, a nice 24-year-old dude who was running for District 24 State Senate. I told him about my plan of getting in as the media.

He laughed. He said, “You know, it MIGHT work. If I can help, let me know.”

Then an official-looking lady joined us outside on the sidewalk. I pointed out the sniper I saw on a rooftop. I explained my goal was to get in a picture with Mr. Emhoff. She said, “Well, good luck with that. If I had to guess, you won’t even be allowed inside because you don’t seem to be on the list.”

Then two Secret Service agents appeared. They were out there the whole time checking people out. I sat outside on a bench and watched everybody.

How thorough were those SS guys? Well, “G,” the main man, came out to the sidewalk from the front entrance at least 10 times, and it seemed like the SS guys were seeing him for the first time. They had those electric things they run down you checking for stuff, and “G” got checked out every time.

I talked to a very nice man named Jae Bin Shim. He seemed to be someone in power there. I explained my goal for the afternoon. He asked, “Well, I believe the part about the media, but HOW are you gonna get a picture? Where’s your camera?”

That was a great question. I never had a camera. I told him that. I asked, “Hey, do YOU have a camera?”

He said, “Yeah. I have TWO of them. Tell ya what. IF you get inside, I’ll try to take your pic with him if I get the okay and somehow get it to you.”

More people were gathering outside now at 10 a.m. A nice lady named Ximena walked over. She seemed to be someone important. I told her about my entire mission. She said she’d try to help out.

Then came one of the best quotes of the morning. I’m back sitting on the public bench just to the side of the entrance. A Point cop walked over. He walked back and forth out there for two hours. We chatted. I said, “Man, a really important man will be here soon!” He replied, “EVERYONE here are important people.”

Then Mayor Wiza arrived. I’ve known him for years. He said he doubted if I would get into a photo with Mr. Emhoff but wished me well.

Ten a.m. turned into 11 a.m. The crowd was getting larger outside. One of the Secret Service guys walked over and asked me my name. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

Then we all had to move to the tables down on the corner. For about twenty minutes. Not sure what that was all about.

I saw my buddy Jim Nitka and his wife, Garolyn, go into the headquarters. They must’ve been on the list. And the mayor went in too.

So I sat outside twiddling my thumbs.

I thought, “Geez, I’ve been here for almost THREE hours and STILL didn’t get in…even though I was the only one here yesterday and DID get in. Then I thought, “Well, I have zero media credentials, and no camera, and not even a yard sign. I have no chance at this.”

And then one of the Secret Service guys approached. I had talked to him earlier. He asked, “What’s your name?” I told him. Then he asked, “What outlet are you with?”

Outlet? I replied, “Outlet? You must be confused. I’m not an electrician or something. I’m from the local newspaper.”

He said, “That’s what I’m talking about. What’s your newspaper? Your outlet?”

I told him, “The Point/Plover Metro Wire.”

He talked into his phone.

Then he said, “Okay. Now put your hands in the air.”

I shuddered. I asked, “Am I being arrested?”

He said, “No. We gotta check you out. You watched us do this to everyone. Then you can go in.”

I looked to the side. Ximena smiled.

Bottom line is that the media angle actually worked. So I went inside.

The room only held about 80 people. Many were sitting in rows of chairs. Others were standing on the side and in back.

I sat in the lone chair about 10 rows back.

An official came over. He said, “We understand you are media. Come with me.”

He placed me right behind Collin McNamara, the guy who was running for State Senate. Collin was right in the front row.

Then another official had me go into the media area next to a reporter from the Stevens Point Journal. We were in the third row right in front of the people giving the talks. I kept looking for Bob Uecker sitting in the front row.

And sure enough, at right around noon, Mayor Wiza gave a short talk, as did a lady.

Then Doug Emhoff took the microphone. He was standing about five feet in front of me. All I could think of was…I gotta find a damn camera!

Kamala Harris’s husband gave a very nice speech, and everybody cheered loudly during it. He thanked the volunteers and talked for maybe 15 minutes, using no notes. He’s an attorney and a very good speaker. The maybe future First Gentleman started off with a bunch of jokes and had great praise for Joe Biden. Everyone paid close attention to his every word. The moment was actually exciting. And historic.

All in all, I’m glad I went to the event. Even though I never got into a photo with him.

And I didn’t get arrested or even get a parking ticket.

DISCLAIMER: There really was no time for any pictures. After Mr. Emhoff’s talk, he shook hands for perhaps a minute with a few people in the front row and then departed.