Monday, February 25, 2008

SEEING OBAMA IN OHIO.....2.23.08


*********************
[photo of Cleveland Convention Center, approximately 7000 at the 2.23.08 Rally]
*********************
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.

22 comments:

enigma4ever said...

btw if you look in the upper right corner where the Bright light is- that is where 6-6 and I sat...and cheered....

D.K. Raed said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing this. I almost feel like I was there! I'm gonna have to look for it on C-Span (I did see a piece of the Akron rally earlier). I'm so excited for you & glad you were able to attend. And you are absolutely right about finally being able to talk to other people there, about their insights & your shared common goals. It's contagious! Long lines, small seats, frisking & waiting, waiting, hoping ... this has sure been a long time coming. We are all soooo ready. History is happening!

billie said...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/24/
hillary-clinton-mocks-bar_n_88194.html

guess that's why camp clinton thought resorting to that was appropriate. it's sad that such an intelligent lady is sliding so far down.

enigma4ever said...

Betmo:
She has been showing ALL sides of herself here in Cleveland....and as a woman I am embarrassed her...and her antics ( Bill too...) The debate here on tuesday will be very interesting...( I will look for the Clinton article- I do read Huff Post everyday..)

DK:
thanks for letting us share this with you....you are right we all are SOOOOOoooo Ready...

enigma4ever said...

Betmo:
I watched the tape from RI, and wow....I am serious What the Hell is wrong with her??? is she ill? She reminds me of Who is afraid of Baby Jane...???

I thought the Fit she had yesterday in Cincinnatti was bad enough..( my son and I are calling THAT moment her Batshit Pantsuit Moment....where she said Barack ought to be" ashamed" " Karl Rove ???"....because she does not like his pamphlets...)

Anyways...I really don't know what to think of her anymore.....

Larry said...

Good News! Chuck Buckley is back with a new post.

Gryphen said...

Damn it Enigma! I waited all day for this post! I began to worry that you had not made it or that your injury had acted up. But once again you delivered the goods!

Okay now I have to get over my raging jealousy.

Nobody EVER visits Alaska. I mean we had Mike "no shot in hell" Gravel, but that does not really count.

But I am VERY happy that you actually got to hear Obama speak in person. You make sure you save every pamphlet and flyer that you picked up. Some day they will be valuable. Hell they are probably valuable now!

Fran said...

Great you got to attend. funny in the midst of all the positive energy, the press is now trying to throw off the wll zingers-- such as *Obama is not patriotic, because he does not wear a flag lapel pin".
Meanwhile those who do wear flag lapel pins are doing the nastiest, most criminal, human rights violation, unconstitutional things ever.

But slap a cheap patriotic symbol on it & call it good.

I hope all these low ball antics only work to backfire. We want the TRUE patriot who upholds the Constitution, not the criminals who hide behind flags while doing evil.

The Tuesday debate should be most interesting.

Unknown said...

I hope you really are ok m'dear E4E. We aren't spring chickens anymore!

Your label: Hopemongering-is spot-freaking-on ;)

Thank you for sharing your experience, it was nice to read a first person account about seeing Obama.

Unknown said...

Oh, and do head over to Chuck's blog..he tells us why he has been gone so long ;(

The Future Was Yesterday said...

I'm still not ready to call him a Cowboy until I've seen him ride.

Christopher said...

Woooooo Hooooooo!

How very cool that you got to go and hear Barack. He's just so exciting and inspirational.

Did you see, Enigma, where the Borg Queen was screeching about Obama "parting the skies and the light from heaven would shine down" during a stop she made in Rhode Island this weekend?

Appalling hardly describes her now. I think she has deeply rooted, psychological issues with men and Obama is just her unfortunate target.

But on a positive note, early voting in Texas shows the Obama influence as Democrats are voting more than 4-to-1 over Repugs!

Mike said...

Christopher said...
Woooooo Hooooooo!

How very cool that you got to go and hear Barack. He's just so exciting and inspirational.

Did you see, Enigma, where the Borg Queen was screeching about Obama "parting the skies and the light from heaven would shine down" during a stop she made in Rhode Island this weekend?

Appalling hardly describes her now. I think she has deeply rooted, psychological issues with men and Obama is just her unfortunate target.

But on a positive note, early voting in Texas shows the Obama influence as Democrats are voting more than 4-to-1 over Repugs!"


If the turnout is 4 to 1 over the repugs then i think Obama will beat that witch in Texas and hopefully humiliate her enough to knock her out of the race.

Mike said...

Hillary makes me sick that she is part of our party............she is nothing more than a democrat in drag.............i loathe and despise her more and more every time i see her............she runs a Karl Rove type campaign and cant figure why she is losing.

just like a slimy repug she tries to muddy the waters by accusing her opponent of exactly what she is doing.............she is doing the lying and smearing and Obama is telling the truth but like Rove she and that idiot Mark Penn figure if some of the mudd they fling sticks its a win and if Obama stoops to her level and slings mudd or doesnt defend himself like Kerry its a win for them.

They didnt bank on Obama defending himself by dealing in facts and truth AND taking the highroad.


She will NEVER get my vote after the Rovian smear and lie campaign she has run............it would be like being a hippocrite and voting for the repugs we claim to oppose.

Mike said...

Did you guys see Hillary the Hippocrite pissing and whining over Obama as they say "plagerizing" words from a speech from a friend on his own campaign who said he could use the words while Hillary the Hippocrite parroted words from John Edwards speeches and from Bill Clinton's speeches.

So I guess the plagerism and xerox crap is only offensive to her when someone OTHER THAN HER is doing it.

BTW who the hell considers verbally using words plagerism thats the most riddiculous BS i've heard in a while its not like the words were used in a book or thesis or term paper without giving credit, he said them.

Mike said...

Hillary Clinton is such a pathetic joke I cant wait till she is knocked out of this race by Obama.

enigma4ever said...

Mike:
I feel like I am riding the bus with you and you made me laugh so hard I almost spewed diet pepsi all over...
It was such a strange weekend- I am shocked that she was so Emotional here this weekend...the Debate will sure to be very very interesting.....people in line were all perdicting that she will implode

BREAKING NEWS:::NEW GALLUP POLL OBAMA LEADS 51% to 39%....

CHRIS:
I have no idea if she needs meds or is on meds ??? I am kind of stunned...we are seeing ALL sides of her for sure...

Future:
You need to read his books...esp the Audacity of Hope...it is an amazing book- about WHAT is wrong with our country and WHO he is as a Man....and the way Hill is spiining out of control....I don't know about you- but do you want her driving the Bus???

Dusty:
Hey friend, thanks for sharing the hopemongering......and yes, it is true my Boucebillity or padding is definently in question...BUT I would have crawled through fire to get to the Obama event...and especially with my son...it was so worth it...and it is So much more than seeing him on CSPAN and hearing all the stories in line....it was amazing....But in a way I felt like I had everybody with me in my pocket...
Thank you so much for letting us know about Chuck- I think I took him off my blog even, but I am sad that he has been through so much....I still wonder as a blogging community should we offer some help.....I will write you....( I left a messege for john good about it too)...

Fran:
Hey there...I know the stupid lapel pin issue- metallic patriotism...what you said is soooo true....oye....absurd...

Larry:
thanks for the Chuck update....wonderful to know what happened...

Gryphen:
Happy Birthday friend...
yup...sorry the post was late going up....

jmsjoin said...

enigma
Glad you guys had such a good time and got to feel the excitement in person. He is hope and he will be a great President. Hillary is sinking herself more every day. She is helping Barack get elected now and Nader is a non entity.
I am hoping Barack will at least take Texas as I expect and then the Super Delegates will be a non entity too. Ohio is getting closer and I think Hillary's hate mongering will work against her there too. She is her own worse enemy right now!

enigma4ever said...

Update:
Just learned that Obama 's sunday event in Toledo- 10,000 showed up and 3000 had to be turned away...wow....he is really reaching momentum here...so good to see...


Patriot...I think you are right both she and Bill are imploding here in Ohio...I will be liveblogging the debate tomorrow...

Mike said...

enigma4ever said...
Update:
Just learned that Obama 's sunday event in Toledo- 10,000 showed up and 3000 had to be turned away...wow....he is really reaching momentum here...so good to see...


Patriot...I think you are right both she and Bill are imploding here in Ohio...I will be liveblogging the debate tomorrow..."


I sure hope so...............i'll keep you posted on how things are shaking out in Texas.........i plan to go to the Caucus on March 4 for Obama!

Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
enigma4ever said...

Mike Please do keep us posted about Texas. I am very interested in how it goes.,..and you know you can Vote early too.....See th Texas Early Vote Numbers over at" From the Left Blog"