By: Michael Calderone

Following Bill Clinton’s speech, several reporters left the Pepsi Center’s press gallery. But upon returning, they were notified by security that they weren’t allowed come back in, and instead could watch from TV’s in the arena hallway. (Try telling that to an editor back home).

Meanwhile, as other reporters made their way out of the press area, they were told that once they left, others would be let in to take their seats. Of course, none of this makes sense since reporters have assigned seats.

There were heated exchanges between the security detail and those trying to get in and out of the press section. Calls for superiors and shouts about being on deadline continued for several minutes.

By force of will, a couple of intrepid reporters simply barreled past the befuddled security guard. Some didn’t take it to that extreme, including Ohio Governor Ted Strickland who was stopped at the entrance and turned away.

The NY Times Pat Healy was one of the reporters stuck outside, just as the NY Post’s Geoff Earle — on the inside — intervened by calling out, "Pat! Pat!" Earle told the security guard that Healy was sitting next to him and had a seat to come back to. A Times and Post reporter helping one another out: Now that’s unity!

As Healy passed through, so did others, and the floodgates opened. Quickly, reporters headed to the bathrooms outside or returned to glowing laptops inside.

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