Sur-real Politik
Posted: Thursday, August 09, 2007 3:09 PM by Countdown

In addition to live-blogging the AFl-CIO Democratic Presidential Forum, the Newshole has also committed to late-blogging some of the more memorable moments that happened behind the scenes... from a Newshole staffer who was with Keith Olbermann at Soldier Field on Tuesday night.
The woman I thought was Senator Biden's makeup lady -- chatty, personable, asked us to let her know whenever we were approaching a break just so she could check on the needs of the candidate -- was actually his wife. In my defense, the fact that she'd said "Call me Jill" surely would have thrown off anybody, no?
Senator Edwards was staying on the same hotel hallway as me last night so when we just happened to be walking back to our rooms at the same time (I know - I couldn't believe it either!) I introduced myself and after I told him who I worked for, he said "Keith did a great job tonight, great job" and asked me to pass that on to him. Then, I dumped the entire contents of my knapsack on the floor outside my door looking for the room key... as he and an aide walked on discussing dinner. 45 starving minutes later, I realized his room service order must have gotten a much higher priority than mine.
Nearing the end of a break, Senator Clinton was blocking my way back to the stage as she was getting her lipstick retouched, when I had to get to Keith (nevermind that she had to get back on stage, too). "Senator, excuse me. (pause) Senator, EXCUSE ME." So I just barrelled on by. Last I checked, I work for Keith and - as the junior senator for New York - she works for me, so... Her lipstick didn't seem to be noticably smudged during the next segment. My lipstick, by the way: Maybelline superstay lipcolor. No touch-up needed.
The AFL-CIO sprang for a fireworks display that started almost as soon as the debate had finished. When they first went off, nearly everyone jumped... but the secret service agent I was standing next to turned things up to eleven by putting his hand on his pistol. I'm still recovering.
When the debate was over, I'd gone back on stage to collect Keith's question cards and notes (can't let those things end up in the wrong hands or on any blogs, even the Newshole) and was waiting for him as he thanked the candidates. Senator Obama was the only candidate who sought me out (or any MSNBC staff or crew, that I could see) to thank me and shake my hand. His momma raised him right. If only he'd answered that Barry Bonds question...
During pre-debate crunch time, I turned around to find Jesse Jackson in our workspace, going to town on our box of Wheat Thins. Interns make for lousy bouncers.
The first bathroom I could find when I arrived at Soldier Field Tuesday afternoon turned out to be the mens' locker room. For the record, I did not use the urinal.