You've read the front page posts on the Springfield rally, and perhaps watched it on television. If it looked exciting on television, it was nothing compared to actually being there! This was a very interesting day, so let's get right to the highlights!
My day started, appropriately enough for Amtrak champion Joe Biden, with a ride on the Lincoln Service train from Alton to Springfield. The Springfield station is just blocks from the Old State Capitol, so it was an easy way to get to the rally. I saw only a handful of obvious Obama supporters on the train.
Lincoln Service train at the Springfield station.
I had to re-route on side streets around the Old State Capitol due to street blockages for security. Volunteers directed us to the lineup, which started at 7th and Washington; even at 9:10, when I arrived, the line stretched for blocks. The turnout was so great that they opened the security checks much earlier than the announced 12:00 noon time. I was through the gate with my camera and zoom lens by 11am.
I got a place close to the fenceline, at the end of the long platform where the candidates would enter. There wasn't anything to do but wait, and while most were patient, I ended up with the one whiner in my proximity. She left several times to get water, but kept bitching about the heat and the wait. She asked me what I was taking notes for, and I explained that I was blogging the event for Daily Kos. Her reply? "Blogging is a waste of time." F you very much, lady, I thought.
Our wait was livened up by the Obama volunteers running cups of water out to us. I have to say the crowd was great about trying to get water to everyone who needed it; I saw many hands passing cups of water to people further back from the fenceline. I did my part also, handing water off to people in the back.
An enterprising individual made a sign asking for water. He got it, as you can see!
Less good were the people who had to be taken out of the crowds due to heat stress. Most looked just piqued, and could walk out--we made lanes for them to do so--but one old man looked like he had fallen down, hard. The paramedics took care of him. I'd say about 30 or so people had to be taken out just from my section!
As the wait wore on, the mood got somewhat sullen and grumpy, with The Whiner reaching new heights of whining (I pantomined strangling her at one point, to snickers from people nearby). Fortunately things happened to liven things up as it got closer to time.
Dick Durbin was there, and walked by us entering the Old Capitol. I snapped a picture as he passed by:
"Hi, my name's Dick and I'm the senior Senator." "Hi, Dick!"
We also had more Obama volunteers passing out the brand-new, so hot off the press that the ink still smelled, Obama/Biden rally signs. I helped with the passing out of signs but didn't take one--managing one with a camera was just not possible.
Enthusiastic sign-waving? Or just trying to get rid of the strong new-ink smell?
At approximately 1:30, the mayor of Springfield came out to introduce the event, followed by a Marine Corps veteran and Gold Star dad leading the Pledge of Allegiance. There were a few more remarks by Obama volunteers, imploring us to volunteer to help the campaign if we weren't already doing so. Then the regular pre-event music began again--I had been expecting speeches by the other politicians present, Durbin at least, but no one else spoke.
At precisely 2PM by my cell phone, Obama was introduced, and the cheers were absolutely thunderous! He looked like he always does for these things--confident and smiling--as he shook a few hands, then walked down the ramp to the lectern.
The following sequence of photos shows Obama's entrance. We've seen this before, but it still amazes me how he looks so cool and confident every time.
I won't bore y'all with a recap of the Obama speech--there's the usual suspects to replay it--but I will say the energy of the crowd, at least from my perspective, was palpable. This was the most enthusiastic Obama event I have attended! It wasn't his usual stump speech, as you know--it was more an introduction of Joe Biden than anything else--but he still raised the crowd up as he went into his final lines.
After Obama introduced Joe Biden, Biden ran down the platform, stopping only briefly to do a arms-out "hey" gesture in our general direction (who said what I don't know, but it looked friendly). This was the first time I've heard Biden speak--heck, its the first time I've seen him--but I thought he did great. He hammered McCain just like a lot of us hoped he would--and will.
Joe Biden on the run!
After the speeches ended, the wives came onstage to much ecstatic cheering and photos, then they came down to shake hands. Unfortunately they didn't visit our section, much to our disappointment (The Whiner, natch, was not pleased). Aside from that, though, it was a great day!
The Ticket. It's a bit gauzy due to the many hands waving/clapping, but the rest (getting all of their faces looking good) was a total accident!
It was very exciting to be a part of this, and I'm definitely motivated to do as much as I can to help this ticket win in November! It was a crazy day, and I have to say my legs hurt like hell after all the standing and walking, but it was worth it.
Look at all the supporters going north to Chicago!
Next week Sen. McCain does a public event in O'Fallon, Missouri (near St. Louis). I may infiltrate enemy territory to bring back a report. I'll be sure to take anti-emetics and anti-diarrrheals first, though.
UPDATE: Some additional photos for you!
T-shirts I liked:
These two high-school aged girls made their own shirts:
Finally, the kind of "Huggy Bear" action we like to see: