By Daniel Katzive
“What’s going on?”
Upper West Siders on their way home, walking their dogs, heading for the park, or out for errands wanted to know what all the commotion was about outside the El Dorado building on Central Park West at 90th Street on Thursday evening. Those watching the spectacle were quick to answer, “The President is visiting.” Some then went on their way, but others joined the crowd hoping for a glimpse, or just curious about the elaborate security operation.
President Joseph R. Biden was visiting the El Dorado for a campaign event, according to his official schedule, and spent about an hour there before heading for another event in town, and then back to Washington in the evening.
As is customary, the president left the building through a tent erected on a closed side street and was not visible to the public. But those who decided to wait on Central Park West were rewarded with a brief glimpse of his silhouette as he headed north in the back seat of “The Beast”, as the presidential limousine is known.
By 6:30 p.m., President Biden was on his way, barricades were being removed, and the neighborhood went back to normal.
(Thanks to Sharon for the tip!)
My husband was wondering why traffic on Amsterdam in the 80s was nuts. There is the answer. Did they close off streets all over the place? I swear they should give warnings.
I totally agree that they should give warnings.
I live on the Eastside and we were not spared. I had to get home with a 23 lb. cat and could not get a car service as all the streets were blocked. I almost had a nervous breakdown—–didn’t know how I was going to get home.
Then—-FINALLY—after 2 hours…. YES!!! that should at least give New Yorkers a heads up so we can prepare. Presidents–PLEASE-stay in DC!! lol
Giving a warning would defeat the purpose of having a secure area for the motorcade, without fanfare beyond the destination.
Why doesn’t the city give warnings? Every time a president comes to town, the NYPD and the MTA do nothing but act surprised.
Giving an advance public warning of where the president is going to be and when would probably be really bad for security.
They don’t have to be specific—just let us know that he’s coming—as the whole city gets mucked up.
So no John Hinckley Jr type decides this is his day to go down in infamy?
Some years ago Obama visited a building on or just off CPW in the low 90s. Was it the El Dorado as well? Some folks and I were trying to remember as we stood around behind the barricades.
Yes, President Obama visited the El Dorado.
He attended a fund raiser at 70th randi RSB
Obama was also at El Dorado.
The president met at a billionaire’s home, with other ultra rich people, and he urged them to donate $$$ to his campaign.
The most powerful person in the world is coming hat in hand, literally, asking for money.
Something is wrong with our system.
Citizens United says hi.
I prefer Biden asking rich people for money to Trump, who claims to be filthy rich, soaking the working class for their money then diverting it to pay his legal bills.
Of course, he is an innocent man and he only has legal bills because there is a grand conspiracy to get him, and, on the off chance he did do something wrong, it was clearly the fault of the horrible, incompetent person who was working for him.
Nothing encapsulates today’s Democratic Party more than a fundraiser at the El Dorado on CPW. Pass the caviar!
Beth, Do you believe that a fund raiser at local men’s shelter would make more sense? As the bank robber Willie Sutton said in another context, “That’s where the money is.”
Because Trump gets his money from those that don’t have it….
I THINK IT’S TERRIBLE THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN COME AND CAMPAIGN FOR $$$ FROM THE RICH, IN NYC – AT “RUSH HOUR” WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY TRYING TO GET HOME. I GOT STUCK ON A BUS STARTING AT 6PM ON EAST 79TH STREET LAST TIME HE CAME. IT TOOK 2 ½ HOURS TO GET TO BWAY AND 79TH STREET. I AM ON A WALKER, AND THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD GET OFF THE BUS AND WALK TO ANYWHERE. I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS A GOOD TIME FOR HIM TO COME, BUT I AM SURE THAT RUSH HOUR IS THE WORST. P.S. AND I AM A DEMOCRAT.
Let me try posting this again. Apparently my last post may have been lost. I’d hate to think I was being censored by the WSR.
I wanted to thank Pres. Biden for costing my 82 year old Vietnam Veteran husband and me $87.84 for a taxi to go five miles from the Veterans Hospital on East 23rd St to our home on the UWS.
Why couldn’t he come on a Saturday or Sunday, when traffic is much less than a weekday?
Surely he doesn’t have to go home to Delaware EVERY weekend.
My comment was censored…all I said was I couldn’t believe these comments! It’s NYC, the most important city in the country..of course the President will come on occasion…some comments seem to imply the President planned this trip just to inconvenience the poster personally! You live in NYC, for Pete’s sake!
Uber soaks you when there is ANY kind of incident. I had to get home from the vet….car could not get through to pick me up. Cat is too heavy (23 lbs) for me to carry. They finally got through……Cost me $24 to go 6 blocks.
I agree and the rich folks could go to DC instead of him coming to NYC. There is no need for a president to visit NYC unless there is a disaster here or the general assembly, period.
I’ll pass along your concerns.
What a huge waste of tax payers $$$! This guy comes hat in hand and inconveniences all the little people. Shameful!
As opposed to Mr. Trump who just steals from the government by not paying taxes on multi-millions and then uses his hotel for more government money to land in his pockets! Oh the hypocrisy!! Cry me a river!!
Oh for goodness sakes. Trump shut down whole blocks around his penthouse of Fifth for 3 years.
This is Biden time.
Not Trump.
Obama and all previous presidents did the same thing.
Coming to the big apple with a big basket to be filled up with cash.
Stop with the Trump, Trump, Trump thing.
He’s in the past. Keep him there.
And President Biden is supposed to be much better than Trump. So he should demonstrate it.
He does!!!