This time was even better.
I was one of nine regional reporters who were invited to take part in a round table interview with the president on his health care reform package. The round table took place in the Roosevelt Room, where I was seated directly across from the president with two reporters on either side of me and two reporters on either side of the president.
When the president entered the room, he went around shaking everyone's hand as we all introduced ourselves. Unable to resist, I whipped out the traditional Hawaiian greeting of "Aloha," which, combined with my Hawaiian name, prompted some Hawaii talk and I think might have snagged us a ride home on Air Force One? You be the judge...
Me: Aloha, Mr. President. Malia. (shakes hand)
POTUS: (smiling) Howzit going? (Pidgin style)
Me: Wassup, bra?
POTUS: Now you know you're going to get special treatment. Where in Hawaii?
Me: Kailua.
POTUS: Ahh. My family was just there for Christmas.
Me: I know. Your beach rental is five minutes from where I grew up.
POTUS: When are we going back? When are we going back, Malia?
Me: Soon?
POTUS: Soon.
Me: You got room on Air Force One? (laughter)
POTUS: All right. You may be able to hitch a ride. Although... (glancing at my belly) I'm not sure. You can't fly right now, can you?
Me: Not now. Not yet.
POTUS: Exactly. See?
Me: But… Christmas?
POTUS: All right. (He then got serious and started the round table interview.)
