My Hour with 41

The primaries in Pennsylvania. 

It was the spring of 1980. I was a mere pup doing audio for a political commercial with then presidential candidate George H.W. Bush.

We were hired by a republican consultant to shoot a spot in Conshohocken, PA.

Beautiful spring day.

We set up outside of a home on a quiet street and waited. A black sedan pulled up. Secret Service, handlers and finally, the familiar face himself.

No pretense, no swagger. Just a matter of fact tall man who was running for President.

After saying his hello’s to the folks who were there to support him and a few words from the director, he landed in front of me.

“This is where the magic happens,” he said as he shook my hand. I wish I could remember more of that short conversation with the former head of the CIA who looked like my dad.

I was 26 years old and already jaded. Little did I know as I was snaking an ECM 50 up his coat and attaching it to his tie that this would be a moment I would not consider important until now.

I only remember a few seconds of that morning in 1980. The whirlwind arrival, the short 2 take shoot and the departure.

We tend to interact with a lot of celebrities in our line of work. Famous actors, sports legends and on occasion, a popular politician or two. Mostly, it’s just part of the job.

That spring, I met Ronald Reagan, John Anderson and Ted Kennedy, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat President Carter in the primary. However, spending an hour with Bush had a lasting effect. He was the kind of man who genuinely took a few seconds to connect with you. I did not agree with his politics. I did agree with his ability to connect with me and all who were around that day.

I took that moment for granted, however, I wish I hadn’t. It does serve as an important memory for me. For that, I am grateful.