Obama-mania on Capitol Hill

Obama worked his way up and down the aisle, down into the Well of the House, back into the Democratic Cloakroom and even over to the Republican side of the chamber.

Then he surprised dozens of tourists walking by in the hallway and got his picture taken with House Pages on one of the grand staircases on the East side of the building.

After a few minutes of shaking hands, it was time for that great media tradition, the walking interview, with about 30 reporters, still photographers, TV cameramen and a bevy of security aides and police officers all rumbling through the hallway.

I got pushed to the wrong side of Obama right away, so I was trailing the pack, but I managed to get my microphone in there, even as the two Secret Service agents who have his back were trying to get rid of me along the way.

Thanks for the sharp elbows, in other words.

Obama said he's ready to work his way through the final contests of the Democratic Primary battle, acknowledging that Clinton will be a strong opponent next week in West Virginia and then in Kentucky and Puerto Rico.

"In the meantime, I just wanted to make sure that I gave an update not only to my supporters, but to those who are trying to figure out what direction to go in," Obama said as we rumbled our way back towards the Senate side of the Capitol.

Obama said he wasn't trying to pick up any superdelegates, though there are certainly a bunch of undecided ones who were on the House Floor at the same time.

One of those greeting him warmly was undeclared superdelegate Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) who on Wednesday told Clinton that he was staying officially undecided, but noted that Obama had won his state by a wide margin.

Spratt had a big smile and handshake for Obama.

My scribbled notes feature words and phrases like, "big hug," "backslaps," "mobbed by well wishers" and more.

"Meet the next President of the United States," beckoned Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) who was helping usher Obama around the floor.

Obama got lots of smiles from GOP lawmakers as well, who came over to shake hands.

I figured that would be as good as anything to ask Obama about as our mobile media mob moved closer to the Capitol Rotunda.

"What did the Republicans say to you?" I shouted from behind as I quickly shuffled my feet to keep from falling down.

Unfortunately, Obama didn't give me much.

"They were impressed with my jump shot from the clips they saw in North Carolina," Obama said to chuckles from reporters.

One Obama backer said this wasn't some kind of "victory lap" for the candidate.

Well, it sure looked like one.