Dresser: Obama gracious, in good humor

SALISBURY — Salisbury Selectman James Dresser donned a different hat on May 25 —the hat he wears as chairman of the Wesleyan University Board of Trustees. His main task for the day: Introduce Illinois senator (and presidential candidate) Barack Obama as the commencement guest speaker.

Obama was filling in for the ailing Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and creating a heightened level of excitement, not to mention security at the Middletown campus.

While rumor had it Dresser got to spend significant one-on-one time with Obama, that was hardly the case. His role was not to entertain the high-profile guest but to act as an official host for the day’s events.

But meeting in a “secret� location, donning academic robes and spending those tense pre-ceremony moments together can reveal a lot about a person.

“Normally the trustees and members of the ‘platform party’ meet in the president’s office to put on their robes,� Dresser said “But we were sent to the library by the Secret Service because it wouldn’t be predictable.�

Dresser was modest about the newsworthiness of his part in the day’s events, but was happy to talk about Obama. Granted, he said he already supported the candidate before the weekend’s events; his observations confirmed that support.

What he saw was a man who travels without a large support staff, and doesn’t keep people waiting. It was an impressive first impression.

“Having watched politicians keep people waiting an hour or two, it was refreshing to see one arrive quietly and well ahead of time.�

Obama arrived as quietly as one can with a Secret Service and motorcycle police escort, as well as a bus filled with 60 journalists. They pulled into a closed-off street with direct access to the library.

In the library, Obama noticed everyone, found a way to relate to adults and children alike and connected just as well in person as he does in his speeches, Dresser said.

“He has that great voice and smile, a real star quality. Even the famous writers in the room, like Jamaica Kincaid, who were getting honorable degrees, were star-struck. But what he did during the presentation of the diplomas was really amazing.�

From where students were seated below the podium, they couldn’t see Obama as they mounted the steps. “They accepted their diplomas, shook hands with the university president, and all of a sudden, they were 3 feet from him.

“My only regret is that there is no audiotape of what he said. He greeted every one of more than 700 graduates with inspiring words. They were unfailingly polite, even though they were so taken by surprise. He reached out his hand to each student. He asked where they were from and made a personal comment to each.�

The students in turn, thanked him. A few called him “Mr. President� and another said “You’re the man,� Dresser recalled.

“Only one called him Barack, which wasn’t appropriate, but I think he was flustered under the circumstances.�

Before a crowd estimated at up to 25,000 people — in the cordoned- off Andrus Field and on the hillside above — Obama was able to keep it personable as well.

“Not since JFK have I seen anyone who comes that close to connecting to young people,� Dresser said.

About a quarter of Wesleyan students have indicated they will work on Obama’s campaign this summer.

Dresser was impressed by Obama’s easygoing sense of humor. His rapport with the audience began when he congratulated President Michael Roth on his first year at ... did he say Wellesley?

“Of course, having graduated from Columbia and Harvard, he knew about how the two schools [Wesleyan and Wellesley] are always mixed up,� Dresser explained. “It was sort of an inside joke.�

Dresser said news reports that students were issued tickets after Obama was confirmed for the graduation were not true. Students are routinely given tickets for reserved seating for family. He had also heard, but could not confirm, that tickets were being scalped for up to $200 apiece.

“What I was happy to see was that it was not a political event. Obama said two times, ‘When I’m president,’ but that was part of the flow of his speech to encourage the graduates, as in his promise to double the size of the Peace Corps. It would have been ridiculous for him to say, ‘If I ever get the chance to be president’...�

Dresser said there were no demonstrators; not a single sign, political or otherwise.

“The day still revolved around graduating students and their families.�