I would like to share the wonderful evening I had last week when I was invited to hear Sam Donaldson speak at the O'Bannon Institute Annual Dinner.

It was even a thrill for me to tour Indiana University Alumni Hall as we wound our way to the Federal Room where the private reception was held prior to the dinner.

I had always admired Donaldson when he was on Prime Time Live and This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts.

Most of all, I enjoyed his questions at presidential news conferences when he was Chief White House Correspondent. He was the one behind the booming voice with the most controversial and difficult questions.

Donaldson was charming as he mingled with guests during the reception and tried to personally speak to everyone in attendance. Like many other celebrities, he had the talent of making you feel that you were the only person in the room, and was a "touchy" person placing his arm on your shoulder as he spoke.

Now to the serious portion of the evening as Donaldson took the podium after being introduced by Judy O'Bannon. With that thunderous voice, he captivated the audience talking politics.

He said this was the most interesting election since 1968, and Indiana would help validate the race.

And even though Sen. Obama organized and swept caucuses and has been favored by the press, Donaldson noted the states that Clinton had won.

According to Donaldson, Obama's problem is that he can't seem to close the deal with a decisive victory, perhaps because voters don't know enough about him, maybe because he's too liberal or can't attract enough white votes. So if the super delegates think he can't close the deal, he may lose their vote.

Donaldson added, "Let's just put it on the table, race is still a problem in this country."

In the meantime, Donaldson said Sen. Hillary Clinton may be behind but has the diligence to win and close the deal.

"Thank God I'm not a super delegate," noted Donaldson.

Donaldson pointed out that all three delegates have baggage: Hillary has the sniper fire incident, Obama's canvas is not complete, and Sen. John McCain's is his age.

Speaking of McCain, Donaldson said his strength comes from being a straight shooter, and he most admires him for not just being a prisoner of war but when offered a release because his father was a high ranking military officer, McCain said "I will stay with my boys until they are released."

Donaldson explained that many times citizens don't vote for issues but for the person for whom they most trust.

Animated and charismatic throughout his talk, Donaldson interjected his talk with impersonations of Ronald Reagan and anecdotes of other dignitaries he has met throughout his career including a very humorous story about Miss Lillian, President Jimmy Carter's mother.

In ending his talk, Donaldson said Indiana will either say Obama can't close the deal or it has found his message at last.

No matter who wins, Donaldson said we're all in this together, and with the economy and foreign policy situation, it is a very critical time in the history of the nation.

That was my evening with Sam Donaldson. He may have even toppled Walter Cronkite as my favorite newscaster. Sorry Walter, but as you would say,

"That's the way it was in Bloomington on Thursday, April 24, 2008."

Jo is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tojo631@sbcglobal.net