Actually, for photographing impeachment proceeding in Washington there were two centers of the controversy: the Capitol, where photographers were struggling with catching representatives as they moved around the building and met behind closed doors; and the White House, where it was almost business as usual for a Saturday -- just more crowded and more tense.
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Saturday morning held an 8 a.m. call for what is called the in-town travel pool. For pictures, this consists of four wires (AP, AFP, Reuters and UPI), a magazine pool photographer, television pool photographer, sound and lighting. But this Saturday there were more than usual as each major magazine had photographers there and several newspapers were also represented. The television networks always have crews on hand. During the week there is a newspaper photographer in the travel pool with the position being rotated among several publication -- but on Saturday there is not an assigned position. The White House would still not confirm a meeting with Democrats later in the day and it was announced that the departure of the First Lady who was traveling to the Hill would not be open to the press, nor would the President's weekly radio address. Some weeks the address is open for still photographers only to for a quick photo opportunity when the President finishes, usually about 10-15 seconds of time. So this Saturday there would be no pictures in the morning. |
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Like most of the nation, we watched the resignation of Bob Livingston and the impeachment votes on TV. But, we were just 16 blocks from the Capitol and a few yards away from the President. After the Democrats staged their walk-out at the Capitol and the vote was underway, the briefing room at the White House began filling up with photographers moving from the Capitol and everyone began jockeying for position close to the doors that lead to the South Lawn. Shortly after three the press office began giving some details to the meeting with the Democrats but no one was sure where it would take place -- Rose Garden, South Lawn, South Portico. Finally the press office called in the in-house pool to let us know what would be taking place. We were placed first in line to set up positions for the speech on the South Lawn. However, there was still plenty of pushing and jostling among photographers and getting to the door was difficult. After that the rush to get a spot at the three different shooting positions began. |
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart gives a statement on the resignation of speaker-elect Bob Livingston Saturday, Dec. 19, 1998. This was the first photo opportunity at the White House that day. Copyright
1998 George Bridges For web use by Digital Storyteller |
By this point AFP had sent a second photographer over to help cover the extra positions. Most organizations had several shooters as the AP had at least four, Reuters: four, Time magazine: three or four, Washington Post: three, Washington Times: two.
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Bill and Hillary Clinton walk onto stage in front of Congressional Democrats at a White House ceremony following an impeachment vote in Congress Saturday, Dec. 19, 1998. Copyright George Bridges 1998 For web use by Digital Storyteller |
I was positioned in front of the riser finding myself in good company -- I was between two former White House official photographers and talented photojournalists Pete Souza -- now of the Chicago Tribune and former Reagan photographer-- and David Hume Kennerly -- representing Newsweek and photographer of Ford. (If you find their books documenting the President pick them up, they are great works) Tim Sloan, also freelancing for AFP, took a position that would allow him to photograph the Clintons and VP Gore leading the Democrats along the portico and then he moved to a position giving a side view of the riser. After waiting outside for close to an hour the event began. Once it concluded the rush was on to get film/disks back to bureaus and for some photographers to transmit from the pressroom. |
Now we just waited for the clearance that the day was over and the pool could head home for the night, but word came that in 20 minutes we would be headed for the Roosevelt Room for a statement on the attacks on Iraq. Television crews began stringing cables and pool photographers lined up at the pressroom door. The Time and Newsweek shooters had left to go to their offices with the earlier film so they ran back to the White House for the new event.
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This event was limited to the pool so there were just two television cameras and eight stills (wires, three mags, and one newspaper). After the short address once again film was shipped and the wait was on for the evening to close. The press office put a "lid" on the evening so it was clear to head home shortly after 7 p.m. Time to eat dinner, get some sleep and return for a Sunday 8 a.m. call and a trip in the motorcade to photograph the President and Chelsea Clinton attending church. George
Bridges, Freelance |
President Clinton prepares to announce the end of attacks on Iraq as Vice President Al Gore, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen take their places. Copyright 1998 George Bridges For web use by Digital Storyteller |
 President
Bill Clinton listens to remarks by Vice President Al Gore at an event with
Democrats from Congress at the White House following a vote of impeachment.
Copyright George Bridges 1998 For web use by Digital storyteller |
President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton approach a gathering of Democrats on the South Lawn of the White House Saturday, Dec. 19, 1998. With him are Vice President Al Gore and majority leader Dick Gephardt. Copyright George Bridges 1998 For web us by Digital Storyteller |
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Bill
and Hillary Clinton hold hands during remarks by Vice President Al Gore
at a rally with Democrats at the White House following an impeachment vote
in Congress.
Copyright 1998 George Bridges For web use by Digital Storyteller |
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Behind
the Viewfinder - A Year in the Life of Photojournalism |
