Sasha Obama Gavel Banging Delights Bored Journalists

I spent about two hours on the floor of the Democratic National Convention this morning, and the most recognizably human behavior on display came when a six-year-old girl impulsively reached for a gavel and gave the podium a joyous whack. Everything else that took place in view of the press was stilted, weird and more or less unenlightening.

It was Sasha Obama who unofficially gaveled a mostly empty Democratic National Convention to order at around 10:25 this morning, Denver time. The younger Obama daughter stood in front of her mother, Michelle Obama, who was executing what convention pros call a "walk through" of the convention stage in advance of her prime-time speech Monday evening.

After emerging from the backstage area 15 minutes behind schedule, Michelle posed at the podium, wordlessly, with one hand on Sasha's shoulder, for the benefit of various convention staff who worked on lighting and camera placement. Then, Michelle took the gavel at the podium and raised it halfway into the air, posed again for a moment, and then set the gavel gently back down.

At which point Sasha stood up on her tippy-toes and grabbed the gavel herself. After raising it as high in the air as her arms would allow, Sasha brought the gavel down hard, and let out an accompanying squeal of delight.

For having had the honor of witnessing some spontaneous behavior, the deeply bored press corps let out a collective, grateful laugh.

Watch:

Comments

[leftoflennon]

Frickin cool!

[leftoflennon]

Frickin cool !

[JohnFObama]

The way Mccains people use anything and everything that happens to attack Obams, such as blaming Obama for Madonna's concert, they'll probably say he's feeding his kids crack. On a serious note, it's nice to see real humans up there on the stage and that shows what a normal and great family he has raised.

[scouserinlondon]

What have they said about Madonna's concert?or are you just being sarcy........... I know she had a pop at McCrumblie but have not heard anything else..... just got up though so haven't read the papers yet.

[idtt]

Tucker Bounds made a comment about Senator Obama having lots of friends who like to throw bombs. Didn't really have anything to do with Madonna, it was just a way to bring up Ayers.

[indypete]

It'll be nice to see those kids in the White House. I remember another kid in the White House, during Rea-gun's time.... the vice president's ne'er-do-well son, I think is the term St Ronnie used.

[scouserinlondon]

Morning Indy.Left you a reply on the Obama Binden rally in Illinois thread........... gave you slapped legs!!!(not really, just asked you a question, check it out)
I agree with you over the kids..... I'm looking forward to seeing them with the dog........ I can remember longing for my first dog when I was a kid,but then I am a sucker for animals.Hope they get a scruffy mutt from the dogs home!!

[indypete]

Hello, ducky! What was the question? Something about the number of Mrs Indys, perhaps? Stick around here and have a cuppa with me... I think the off-topic wallah went to bed already.

[260Parkway]

Watch Fox News put a spin on Sasha's curiosity and innocence. Mark my words.

[jOke]

LOL....

[athenasword]

These girls are a such a delight! Smart, beautiful and full of life. I can't wait for this First Family to be in the White House.

[TekMaestro]

Interesting... remember the last time a President's children captured the spotlight? They became America's darlings... a symbol of what we all, as parents, strive for and are oh, so proud of.

Remember the picture under the desk?
Remember the salute to the fallen hero?
Remember Camelot?

I do.

[athenasword]

Wow. The angry mob of haters is out in force on this thread!

[RFBorjal]

Well, doing a little practice for Democratic National Convention 2048 shouldn't hurt, should it, Sasha?

[zbig]

I predict Sasha will become a Supreme Court justice: order! order!

[oldwiseone]

I'm watching CSpan too. Nive that there is no play by play talk. Isn't it really a shame, that there are so monay people who have no hope or even know what it is. If anything, the democrats are about people. Strange this country used to be about the people. Of, By and For people, remember? So I think it is so wonderful when people get together. And I kinda feel sorry for those who hate people. They hate themselves too, and that's why...

[pico]

That picture is too cute. I adore little girls.

Shut up -not in that way.

[Bitsko]

Shouldn't those reporters have been out actually reporting something?

[oldwiseone]

What better subject to write about than a six year old president of America? Don't be a jerk.

[Bitsko]

I miss the smoke filled rooms and the bag men.

[rosal]

These kids are going to be a blessing in the White House. A young family again!

[Liberoservative]

*tears her eyes and ears out!!!*

Yeesh.. .I switched on to Faux news and got greeted with Sean Hannity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When is this guy gonna get what he deserves???/

[DebofMD]

Sasha is a little firecracker. :0) Love those girls. :)

[Liberoservative]

Hate to repeat myself, but if you are not watching CSPAN you are missing 90 percent of the democratic agenda