First Family attends GW bball game vs. Oregon State, where Michelle Obama's brother is the coach.

[jefferson_dem]

Pool Reports: Obamas at GW vs. OSU B-Ball Game



Good afternoon WH press,

Lou Jacobson of the St. Petersburg Times signing on as your print pool reporter.

Press pool left the press room at 1:39 and piled into motorcade. Driving to GW-Oregon State basketball game, where Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson is coaching. Left at 1:42, with POTUS, FLOTUS, Sasha, Malia, grandmother Marian (sp) Robinson.

More to come.

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At 1:55 we enter the Smith Center where the announcer is announcing the Oregon State U team, to a roar of boos from the half filled Smith Center. The First Family is seated near the floor where the OSU team is sitting.OSU is dressed in bright orange and black uniforms. The arena is maybe half-filled but loud as the GW team is announced. More to come....

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The game starts and POTUS is munching popcorn from a blue bag and nodding to the action. He appears to be wearing a black jacket and dark brown (?) pants. He's studying the game intently as he munches. Michelle is smiling and clapping and the kids seem to be enjoying themselves. At 1800 it's 4-0, OSU. Arena is still only about half full.

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I've gotten a question from a pool reader about the level of security given the gate crashing incident at the state dinner. Since I am not a regular pool participant I don't have a good basis for comparison, but I asked around some of the pool regulars, and without disclosing any state secrets, there are some small signs that security around the pool is a bit tighter than normal, and that there may be a more visible Secret Service presence than for comparable events.
By the way, OSU has taken an early lead, 16-8 with 11:40 left in the first, but GW is rallying with two straight baskets.
The PA announcer just announced FLOTUS to the crowd.
Stay tuned....

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Addendum on security. ABC's radio pooler reported that fans had to go through airport like security to enter the arena.
Just got a peek at the First Family (the press seats don't actually have a direct view) and POTUS was still watching the game intently, though at one point he did crack a smile.
OSU ahead 25-13 at 6:14 left in the first.

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We are told that the president will not be officially announced to the crowd over the PA.

Also, no official word to report regarding whether security is tighter. Those were just speculative comments by pool types. Will send out official comment on that question if and when it arrives.

End of the first half--OSU 34 GW 24.

No sign of leaving yet, but will of course keep you all posted....

http://thepage.time.com/pool-reports-obamas-at-gw-vs-osu-b-ball-game/

[Cha]

1. I wouldn't mind going through

security to be attending a B-Game where the President and his Fam were.

I want them to make sure they check everyone!

[alsame]

2. Good seats, lol. I'm glad they get out and do normal things every

now and then.

[monmouth]

3. My fav SS guy is right there in the back of them too. WoHooo...n/t

[Cha]

4. You made me look..

I didn't even think of him as a SS guy the first time I saw the pic. He blended in so well.:rofl:

[Kdillard]

5. Well I would be very disappointed if the Secret Service didn't make adjustments after the

Party crashing incident. I hope the family had fun.

[goclark]

6. I would have rushed down to fill up one of those vacant seats

That is so cool to see them act like ordinary people.