Ok, I have never been to an Obama Rally before this....but knew basically what to expect from reading the accounts of those who have gone. I can honestly say that I was blown away by so many things I saw and heard today, not just from Barack and Joe, but more importantly from the people there. I knew it would be big and exciting. But it still surprised me the excitement and camraderie we all had there.
I live in Knoxville where I attend the University of Tennessee. I am currently working on my Masters. Now I have loved and supported Obama ever since he announced his campaign. I have wanted to see him and a few days ago when I found out he and Biden would be in Greensboro I decided I had to go. Being in Tennessee I knew Obama wouldn't be coming here so I figured North Carolina is probably about has close has he'll be. So I jumped at this opportunity.
So at about 2 AM this morning I got up after about 2 hours of sleep (I had to watch the debate last night) and began the 5 hour drive to Greensboro (Red Bull was a big help here). I got there about 7 AM and parked in the Greene Street Parking Garage. As I left the garage and worked my way towards the rally site I could tell I underestimated how many people would already be there. I knew there would be some, but there were already hundreds of people here! Mind you this is 3 hours before they let people in, and 5 hours before the rally begins.
So I got in line and frankly had a blast.
Everyone was enjoying themselves, and mind you the weather was pretty horrible. I didn't really rain much, but it was a dreary day and the sun was never seen. It was also cold at times. Yet we were all joking around, singing, chanting "Yes We Can," or "Fired Up, Ready to Go," or "Obama." We were all discussing the debate and were all proud of Senator Obama's performance.
One group came with Obama's name written on white t-shirts, one letter apiece. I couldn't help but get a photo taken with them.
But what really struck me the most was how diverse the crowd was. White and Black, Latino and Asian. This was the kind of crowd you could NEVER see at a John McCain rally.
I couldn't help but look out and think "Is this really possible? Can Obama heal the wounds which have plagued our country? Can he bring us together?" I look out at that crowd and know that we can do this. If we elect Obama we have a chance to do what we have never done.....heal the racial divide in this country once and for all and unite us all as Americans.
So around 10 we are let in and the place fills up fast. The crowd was enormous!
You here about these huge rallies and see them on TV, but being there and seeing it, being a part of it is exhilarating. I've heard they estimate it was about 20,000, though I think it may well have been bigger.
And then around 12:15 Obama and Biden both walk on stage and the crowd goes crazy. Joe Biden got us warmed up and did an excellent job.
He went after McCain for his poor debate performance, specifically how he never talked about the middle-class at all and his weakness with foreign policy. He really went after him about Iraq and Afghanistan.
With the crowd fired up he then introduced Barack.
Barack really hit the major points home well today. He hit McCain hard on the economy, his connections to lobbyists, and an assortment of other issues ranging from healthcare to education.
He was really funny and down to earth as well. He made several jokes, the best being about how McCain was stealing Obama's lines and themes and that perhaps he should start calling himself a "Maverick" to get back at him. The crowd loved that.
I think they cheered the hardest when he mentioned uniting us, black, white, Latino, Asian, and Native American. When he mentioned that this crowd really felt it. You could look around and see the fire in the eyes of us all. The hunger for change.
After he was done speaking they went around shaking hands and stuff. This was when I really had to fight to get up close. I got some close pics and was able to shake hands with Biden, but didn't reach Obama quick enough, though I did get some close pics of him.
And then of course Biden gives one last goodbye to us all. What can you say? He loves people, people love him, and he just loves the attention. I really liked this photo.
And then I made the long 5 hour drive back to Knoxville so blog about it here at DailyKos. Hope everyone enjoys. It was an incredible day for me, one I will never forget. Anyone who hasn't got a chance to see Barack (or Joe) should really take the time and go the extra mile to do so. It is worth it!