A Play-by-Play of President Obama's Trip to Sunny Seattle

"Untitled" by Seattlest writer sjohnston from our Flickr pool

That’s right non-Seattleites reading this post: Seattle was sunny and hot the day President Obama stepped off the tarmac at Sea-Tac Boeing Field and into the waiting arms of Democratic fundraisers and small business owners. We’ve got all the highlights (courtesy of the White House Pool Report) of his election day trip to the Emerald City.

First, on the agenda: kissing babies.

AF1 wheels down Seattle at 11am. Shakes hands, then emerges and makes his way along line. Smiling, chatting, at ease. At the end, yes, he leans into a photo with a mom and dad (who turns out to be a former White House press aide under Clinton) and newborn. Alas, as they pose, the baby begins to cry, pretty hard, and POTUS earnest efforts to make it stop falter.

Next, lunch at Grand Central Bakery in Pioneer Square.

"Hey guys, how are you?" He greets the staff behind the counter. "What's your name?" (There's an Andrea and a Rachel.) He turns down a local salad with strawberries, even though he acknowledges it sounds good. Then decides on a half a turkey sandwich (described by staff as "Thanksgiving in a sandwich"), a smaller version of that local salad, and a bottle of water. Also gets "something sweet to go." "You gotta ring me up," he tells them, though they seem not really sure about that. He tells them again, laughing, they really have to.

Finally, after a speech in the covered courtyard outside the bakery the President made his way to the Westin:

Rolling now through downtown Seattle, where thousands of people have come out into beautiful early afternoon to wave to motorcade. "Welcome to Seattle Obama," one side said. No sign of protest/demonstration. Arrived Westin 12:40pm.

He’ll stump for Senator Murray at two fundraisers this afternoon and then head to Columbus, Ohio tonight. Did you see the President today? Add your pictures to our Flickr pool (foxy secret service agent photos will also be accepted).