SEEING OBAMA IN OHIO.....2.23.08

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[photo of Cleveland Convention Center, approximately 7000 at the 2.23.08 Rally]
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On Thursday, I went see Michelle Obama speak at CSU in downtown Cleveland.She is a wonderful speaker and is eloquent and yet also Real.At that rally I learned that tickets were available to see Barack on Saturday night in Cleveland. So I went and got tickets take 6-6 and see him.

{{{Now then along the way I had a bad incident at home on my rickety stairs. ( I live in an old 1894 house- the stairs are all different heights and lengths- and I have spent much time making them less wobbly, with marine glue and wood paste etc.) But the bottem line is that if one rushes or takes them too fast it is easy to fall.Ce la vie.I guess my theory that I am "Bounceable" and "Indestructible", is now officially debunked.Now I mention this fall, not for pity, but because it becomes part of the story...my path to go hear some Hope...and perhaps See Our Next President with my son. My biggest worry all of Friday was not only did I break my hip but would I get to see Barack Obama ? It mattered. I blog it all here and even how Politics overlaps with Real Life....}}}

( read other Post called Hellthcare in America about that experience).

Now about the Obama Event. So my son and I both got ready, we showered and dressed warmly.And we left our house at 4 pm, allowing time to park and find the location. We arrived downtown, it was sunny out and the snow glistened in the sun.And we knew exactly where to go because there was already a line along the street, and hardly any on street parking to be found. Obama is scheduled to speak at 8:30Pm, and people did know to get there early.

So there we were in line, with hundreds and eventually thousands.There was much good humor standing in the sun, sharing of snacks, water,and talk.Some people brought folding chairs and blankets. Amazing that it was bitter cold and people were lined up so many hours ahead of the Arrival.The amazing part about The Line.... People talking to each other, talking about WHY they were there, and HOW they got to this Place in time.People shared insights and humor and stories.I realized that we as People we don't talk like this as much as we should. I was glad that I had brought a bag of snacks and extra gloves. I was glad that 6-6 and I were there in The Line , listening.The Media says that Obama brings a "Buzz", but what it really is, is people talking to each other again.

So the Line Moved inside, they opened up the Doors about 5:30PM, and we stood in line to go through the Security Check, there was a metal detector and police checking bags and coats and there was Wanding and Frisking. My son said loudly, "Wow, my first frisk".And he worried that his New 4 Obama Buttons would get lost in the Shuffle.But he took it all in stride. Everyone cooperated and was relieved to see such top notch security.

As we all sat in little tiny seats there was more talking....more sharing. There was a palpable excited tension as people waited to see Obama. Out for Snacks I met College Students who said that the lines to hear Obama in Akron were too long - so they drove up to Cleveland. And while in line it was discussed that Hillary has not held any rallies or Group meetings in Cleveland. One Student asked it " Is she scared of Downtown Cleveland?" Another Student piped up " We are too black and too poor for Hillary, we are not Middle Class enough she wrote off South Carolina and Louisanna, I guess we are like them". And there were many nods, not even disgust, just simple acknowledgement.

In line people did talk about WHO should be Obama's VEEP, and across the board almost everyone I talked to said that it should be Edwards.No one else was even suggested.

So we sat and waited. There was "YES WE CAN" chanting, and " WE WANT CHANGE", and "FIRED UP, READY TO GO". And there was THE WAVE that went around the room over and over.....Much good humor and laughter.

So by 8:30 Pm different people spoke and we all consoled ourselves thinking that Obama must be late getting up from Akron, and that he must have a good crowd there. ( we heard that he had over 6000 there).We watched all the Cameras ( we were in the Prefferred Viewing Area, which meant we were up behind the big Camera line ,and also had some on the walkway behind us. ( 6-6 who wants to go into Filmwork, loved it, and the NBC Camera was right behind him ). As More and More of the Cameras got manned , we knew Obama was getting closer.

A few moments after 9 PM he entered the Arena, and there was a massive rush to see him down on the Floor Area ( or the Mosh Pit as we called it). And he greeted the Surge with grace and humor, and reached back and shook hands and we watched as he greeted the Floor people as he worked over to the Stage. Everyone was standing...there was a collective Flow of energy. People hugged each other , clapped , some held their hands up in a fist of solidarity.People did not speak, they held the Moment.... It was a Moment.

Then he took the Stage and for an Hour he spoke, people listened intently. He talked about Everything, from Homeless to Jobless to Poverty, to Stolen Jobs to Healthcare Hell, to Students needs.He shares his story and his life and what we need to Do Together.Different Parts of the Rally really brought people to their feet, were when he spoke about The War and the Constitution. And people responded, jumping into ovations and standing off and on as he spoke, and clapping, yelling back, and it is a Conversation, a Dialogue....

I saw George Clooney on an interview with Charlie Rose talk about Obama, how when he enters a room people gravitate to him, want to be with him, and that when he leaves the room, you want to follow...Anywhere....I have to say now that I believe George got it right....

It is a Movement. It is Real.Barack Obama will make a great President, because he understands what has happened to Our Country, and how to Unite us again as We The People.