Tuesday the 13th

The Seminar—This morning we were on C-SPAN. The network set up its studio in our auditorium on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia., and at nine o'clock they broadcast their regular program Washington Journal Live. The host was Steve Scully, and the guests were Juan Williams and Bret Baier. Scully interviewed the two and moderated questions from both telephone callers from around the nation and seminar students. Great stuff!

Next, C-SPAN's Brian Lamb took over and recorded a program that's part of a new interview series. This show featured Tom Wheeler and wife Carol Wheeler, who are part of Obama's transition team at some level or another. They're lobbyists in their real lives. Way back before the primary season that led us to where we are now, Iowa held its caucus, and the Wheelers set aside their work and went to Ames, Iowa, for six weeks to campaign for Obama—making telephone calls, knocking on doors and so on. In small group—and in faculty conversations in my apartment—this event didn't fare well. Why, the question was asked by somebody, should we care about these rich folks who could afford to leave their lives for six weeks and run off to Ames, Iowa, Carol Wheeler's hometown?

The following hour featured C-SPAN's Lamb talking to the students. While it had its good moments, it was mostly dull and sometimes even awkward.

In the afternoon my small group visited the Embassy of Bulgaria, where we met and talked with Ambassador H.E. Latchezar Petkov. This was a neat thing. I didn't have my camera with me, but hopefully the students will send me pictures.

We left the embassy and gathered in the café inside the Phillips art gallery, where we had our best conversation yet.

This evening we walked past the place where President-Elect Obama is currently living with his family. On a building opposite, a large banner read, "Welcome Malia and Sasha!" Very sweet. On the other side of Obama's temporary residence we gathered at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a reception. Food tables included Asian, Italian, Mexican and desserts and fruit. They offered a free kiddie bar. Boring (when I could have been hanging with my 4 O'clock Club at the Acoustic Coffeehouse)! Our Guest of Honor was Bob Schieffer, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and Moderator of Face the Nation. The reception was, unfortunately, a reception and the students rude and chatty. But Schieffer was great.

Personal time—Not much today. Most of my downtime was spent on the Metro riding one way or another and to one place or another.