I think everyone understands that. But the allusions to JFK and a "convertible," in a highly policed situation, make this a much more pointed case than general chit chat.
No, I respectfully disagree. As a working journalist/photojournalist they are not as intimidated by these situations. They do this stuff every day. In NY, I imagine covering Trump is an assignment they’ve had many, many times.
An outside observer would treat this with a reverence that someone doing it every day doesn’t have. It’s not “political” per se…it’s just that it’s their “job.” They are not impressed.
Another point of context—my wife covered MA politics from 1983 through 2005. So she had frequent interactions with Dukakis, Kerry, Kennedy, Andy Card, Mitt Romney and Bill Weld. The on the ground, front line coverage of these people included some off color and outrageous situations. Then the lights come on and everyone does their job.
It is easy to think all of these people are all serious, all the time. They are not.