In passing and unprovoked, I have shaken the hand of three living United States Presidents.
The first was during a trip to Wal-Mart in fourth grade. It was customary for mother to go do her shopping and us three boys to either go look at toys, baseball cards or as we got older, CDs. This particular weekend I was looking at the baseball cards. If memory serves me correctly, then I believe my older brother attended the toy section with my younger brother. We would first Peruse what packs they had and how many were left. We would then spend the remainder of the time looking at the card sets to purchase in plastics sorted by teams, players, and randomized sets. I always got a bit guarded at the baseball cards and my antennas always were up because when I was younger, a known shyster who had a reputation for badgering young children did the same to me while giving me a fake $100 bill. A gentleman with a slight Southern draw approached and quipped, “Do you like baseball cards?” I thought he was lost so I answered his question and asked if he needed directions. He told me he was just on travel from Arkansas and liked to talk with locals of all ages. He was very kind. I spent the afternoon like every other small-town Saturday. Playing ball with friends and either listening to music or watching a ballgame or the news on television. It was the 5 o’clock news in this case. Bill Clinton was campaigning in Iowa and stopped for a respite in the little town of Oskaloosa, Iowa tucked in northern Mahaska County. I had just met a President! I bowed my head and thanked God for the opportunity. Later that year I had won a National Academic Excellence award acknowledged by the President, supposedly. Well, my award was passed around to teachers in the lounge because my signature at the bottom was or appeared to be actually real. So, I spent the day sharing this story with all the teachers in the Elementary School at North Mahaska in New Sharon, Iowa.
The next time was a trip to DC in 1999 as part of the Close Up program. Tons of famous people ended up in that group mostly filling the country music arena. Both male and female entertainers. There was even a Heisman Trophy winner! One of those female country stars even took a liking to me. The other was complimented by Hillary Clinton while singing in the hallway of The Capitol where all the legislators hang out. Meghan McCain also had a thing for me as she asked her father if I could dine with them. That’s where I met Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Barack and I talked about Eddie Harris in Major League and President Biden and I made small talk like old friends for about 15 minutes. President Obama organized a reunion for us in Chicago but my mother declined the invitation on my behalf as she had a bad experience on a summer vacation there. As a cynical teenager, I am not exactly certain if I thanked God for that week.
I met these people not coming from a wealthy family or attending an Ivy League institution. I met them by stepping out and showing myself. I can bring the same energy to your business in helping you and your company conduct business inside the federal arena.
If you think I can help then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory email and free consultation.
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