There was an event at the White House where the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band (a public school in the District of Columbia) was being honored by First Lady Laura Bush.
As you may know, the District has no voting representation in Congress, even though its citizens pay taxes and fight in wars.
Q: What happens when well-known District reporter, and voting rights advocate, Mark Plotkin asks the following question to the First Lady of the United States as a press event:
"Mrs. Bush, do you agree with those who say and believe that members of the Ballou High School band should not grow up to become members of the House of Representatives?"
A: You get your ass shown to the door.
A play by play of the event is here:
http://www.wtopnews.com/...
Selected highlights after the jump.
Here's the article about it:
http://www.wtopnews.com/...
Here's the meat of the story:
It was your typical White House event. The Ballou Senior High School Marching Band was being honored by First Lady Laura Bush.
In the front row, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Council Chair Vince Gray, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and School Chancellor Michele Rhee. The rest of the room was filled by the band members and the president's mother, Barbara Bush.
The First Lady gave a brief speech. That's when Plotkin literally sprung into action. He called across the East Room, "Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Bush"
He caught her attention; she stopped, smiled and listened.
In typical Plotkin style, he blurted out the following question:
"Mrs. Bush, do you agree with those who say and believe that members of the Ballou High School band should not grow up to become members of the House of Representatives?"
About half way through the question, Mrs. Bush realized this was not a friendly softball being lobbed from the peanut gallery, but a real question with an agenda from the press gallery.
Mrs. Bush looked down and walked to her seat without a word. The smile was gone.
At that moment, White House staff formed a human wall between the press and the First Lady and pointed to the door.
One White House staffer told Plotkin he was out of line because the event was "about the kids."
"My question WAS about the kids," Plotkin fired back.
As we left the East Room, Plotkin ran into White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolton. Bolton wasted no time telling Plotkin he had been disrespectful.
As we stood in the horseshoe driveway of the White House, Sally McDonough from Mrs. Bush's press office hurried over to us.
"Next time you have a question for the First Lady you can call me and request an interview."
"Great," he said. "I'll call tomorrow and we'll set it up."
"I said you could request an interview."
Plotkin smiled.
Then McDonough asked Plotkin for his name and employer, which she wrote in her notebook.
"Thanks, I'll walk you out."
She escorted Plotkin to the gate.
In fairness, Plotkin was ready to leave, but she made sure he knew it was time to go.