Savoring a Mellow Moment

By Hugh Sidey

Notes on a September morning: Up in the dark out in the Maryland suburbs. Air crisp, sliver of a moon still high. Roar of the Potomac River's great falls from over the hill. George Washington used to tarry there. Headed down the valley to breakfast with Jimmy Carter, 189 years after George, but land still beautiful in first light Mist rising over water. Sun burnishing the East. Past Teddy Roosevelt's hiking island, Lyndon Johnson's memorial pine thicket, John Kennedy's flame. Glorious city ahead in sparkling dawn. Everything looks, feels better with President acting like one.

Across Lafayette Park on foot. Joggers, pigeons, fresh chrysanthemums (Lady Bird's tender touch). Good morning to Andrew Jackson on bronze horse. Looks more chipper. White House whiter than white in first rays. Godfrey Sperling, Christian Science Monitor's journalistic breakfast impresario, leading 38 colleagues up to front door just like wanted guests. No Marine Band in the foyer, but can almost hear a Sousa march as we proceed into State Dining Room. Elegant E-shaped table with cut fall flowers. Feel like Congressmen with votes in pockets. Orange juice at door for quick fix. Eggs (poached and scrambled), sausage, bacon, buns. Better cuisine than reported.

Dick Strout, 80, at President's left. Covered Calvin Coolidge. Still reporting. Charley Bartlett across table. Introduced Jack Kennedy to Jackie Bouvier. J.F. terHorst off to left, Once Jerry Ford's press secretary, Ike's favorite, Roscoe Drummond, on duty. Des Moines, Los Angeles, Baltimore ready to ask questions. President does not eat. Already been up several hours. He sips water. Puffy eyes. Still tired from Camp David. Delicious fatigue. New spirit in room. Respect from press. Carter easier. Abe Lincoln looking benignly down from the wall, chin in hand, elbow on knee. Carter with chin on thumbs, then arms around knees.

Waiters hovering. Sun through tall windows. Ficus trees in corners of room. Jody Powell in vest. Reporters off the street could get used to this, jokes Sperling, Questions come. Carter answers all. Does not reveal much new. What's new is the feeling, the hope. So much nicer to meet in respect. Reporters reflect concerns, prejudices of publications. Oklahoma asks about Sunbelt. Washington Post asks about secret documents. Detroit asks about Humphrey-Hawkins full employment bill. New York asks if Carter might help out in newspaper strike.

Carter's hands are long, expressive, almost like those of a musician. Over and over he spreads fingers and forms imaginary globe, trying to put things together. Sweeps long forefinger through air. Chops with flat hand.

Cigars passed. Help for those friendly tobacco growers? Few take them. Nobody lights one up. Everybody polite, muted by setting. Columnist Rowland Evans looking serious. Came to town under F.D.R. New Republic's John Osborne looming like Buddha at far end of five bouquets. Carter Aide Jerry Rafshoon looking pale. Been watching TV too much. Meet the Press's originator Lawrence Spivak smiling. Lone Woman Mary McGrory wants to know if she and the rest have been too tough on President. President believes so now and then, but is not going to press point in new aura. Jimmy has to leave. Everybody lingers second or two savoring mellow mood, Americans all. Know it will not last. Should not. Outside sun warming branches of old elms. Andy Jackson still astride. On and up, old U.S.S.

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