So Obama paid a brief visit to my little village on the way to Fayetteville, NC today. More below ...
Seems he needed a little R&R in his busy schedule, so he dropped in at the local fitness center for a little five on five. We may be a very red town in a very red county in a very (normally) red state, but this guy drew a very positive reaction. It was a very early AM visit, with no broadcast advance warning (except to staff to get the place vetted by the Secret Service), so it was just the regulars there. As he walked in, the first thing he did was reach across the front desk and shake the hand of the check-in and towel lady and then had pleasant words for his "official" greeters before saying hi and shaking hands of the folks who figured out who he was. He then did an interview (I will maybe share details later, if I see something published in the local paper about it - otherwise respect that the network doing it might like a little surprise for its viewers). After the interview he hit the basketball court with a bunch of guys (and one very fit woman) from Ft. Bragg, with maybe a secret service guy or two thrown in. The picture sucks - but he did demonstrate an ability to handle the ball.
Not surprisingly - being the kind of guy he is - he had at least two assists and two buckets.
After the game, he again shook hands, chatted with folks, and seemed genuinely pleased to have the opportunity to play a little b-ball with the guys (and girl).
I can't speak to any polls about the Rev. Wright, etc., but his star wasn't dimmed in this red corner of the country. and PS - I got his autograph on a copy of his speech - the best 39 minute exposition on the impact of race on this country I have every seen come from a politician.
To steal a phrase - it was definitely morning in this little corner of America.