Barack Obama - Harrisonburg, VA
Convocation Center
James Madison University
10/28/08
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Barack packs the house.... approx. 8000 and then some...
Over-capacity crowd. 10,000+ wait in line for over 4 hours. Line control and public info a bit disorganized by JMU staff... but give them credit for pulling it off, on very short notice. Local Dems are delighted!
Very cold, windy, cloudy! BRRRRRRR!
Long lines... many old friends and made some new ones, too. Young, old, all races, rich, poor, many education levels, all walks of life. Impressed by the diverse demographics of the Obama supporters. All there for one reason -- each person determined to see this once in a lifetime, Campaign for Change, achieve our shared final goal... in just one week. Awesome and damn glad to be there.
Barack makes special outdoor appearance at UREC soccer field for the 1000+ hardy, cold souls unlikely to get into the JMU Convo. The Secret Service detail and security convoy was a ballet-in-motion. Sen. Obama's sudden outdoor appearance, was very carefully managed -- a testament to these hyper-effective, focused security professionals. Well Done... to the entire security team: Feds, State, County, City and Campus.
Overflow crowd attended satellite viewing sites in Godwin Hall and Festival Ballroom.
Audio & Photos WMRA
more photos & video from Staunton News Leader
Token rally by local Republicans, largely ignored, slightly entertaining. No harsh words, that I saw, exchanged. Virginians might be a bit more cordial, than folks in Pottsville, PA at recent McCain Rally. Yikes!
As the sun sets ... Barack's jet is ready and waiting, at the Shenandoah Valley Airport in Weyers Cave. A crowd of about fifty folks wait in the twilight changing to dusk... chanting Obama, Obama, Obama!
A Virginia State Trooper in special ops gear, carefully scans the crowd, and exchanges a bit of light banter with the mellow crowd, on a crisp cold night in Valley of Virginia. He says he looks forward to some rest and relaxation, after the stress of this long campaign. Agreed and well-deserved, Trooper!