President Obama’s ‘Body Man’ Reggie Love Pens Memoir
Barack Obama’s time before becoming America’s first Black president was full of memories, according to a new book from his former personal aide.
In his memoir, titled Power Forward: My Presidential Education, Reggie Love reportedly discusses coming of age on the campaign trail, politics, and basketball, according to the Washington Post.
The former Duke University basketball squad captain emerged as Obama’s personal assistant after joining the then-Democratic senator in 2007. Before leaving the job in 2011, Love was with Obama through the presidential primaries, general election, and most of his first term.
And while he has stories regarding that time, one of Love’s most interesting anecdotes occurred during a stressful time on the campaign trail in West Palm Beach. During that time, the Post noted that Love remembered getting a visit from a college friend who “ended up staying the night.”
The next morning, while his friend was still in bed, Love prepped for the day. It was then that Obama let himself in to Love’s hotel room, using a Secret Service master key.
“I remember the most peremptory of knocks, the sound of his voice talking even as he walked in. … He was charged up, going a mile a minute,” Love recalled.
“Hey, Reggie, we need to go over the schedule” – at which point the senator finally noticed my friend in bed, covers pulled to her throat, mortified. The following is more of what Love wrote in his book:
“Oh,” he said. “I apologize.” Then he turned around and hurried out.
“Was that?” she asked, face red.
“Senator Barack Obama,” I said sheepishly.
Apparently the awkward incident was still fresh as Love used it to lighten the mood late that day when, aboard a plane, Obama lamented about news coverage and other issues, the Post reported.
I chimed in from the seat behind him.
‘You know, sir, if it’s any consolation, I’m having the time of my life,’” Love wrote.
“And the senator said to me, ‘Well, Reggie, it’s actually not a consolation to me that my campaign for president can help subsidize your love life.’
Obama may have gotten the laughs from those on board, but Love rebounded, saying:
“Actually, sir, I got way more action in college.”
“Power Forward: My Presidential Education” is scheduled to be released on Feb. 3.
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