Pensacola, Florida is the keystone of Congressional District One in the State. Cong. John Lewis (D-GA) fired us up at the opening of the headquarters on Devilliers Street downtown. The response from the community was overwhelming. I could tell the gathering was going to be huge for us as I got into a traffic jam in the narrow streets in the old part of the city 20 minutes before the meeting. All of the parking lots were filled.
The office building of the Obama-Biden campaign had a line out the front door and down the side street. Volunteers were directing new arrivals to the VIP night club, an improbable location for a rally, across the street as the spill-over gathering. This is where I headed.
In the line for the spill-over group, I talked to two African-American women about Sarah Palin. I told them that she had given me a headache the night of her speech and I had gone to my computer to give $75. I also said that my wife had been so disturbed that she couldn't go to sleep until 3 a.m.
Waiting in Line at the "VIP Club."
We were beaten. We were arrested. I was arrested 40 times. On that march I was beaten and left bloody, unconscious, on the bridge, I thought I was going to die, I thought I saw death, BUT I DID GET UP!
Florida is going to be Blue again!
Congressman John Lewis, September 6, 2008, Pensacola, Florida.
They agreed with me that they had never heard so many lies in one speech. We talked about the legislation that Barack Obama had written or co-sponsored: The Safe Food Act, the ethics legislation, the Stop Fraud Act concerning mortgage fraud and all the across the aisle legislation with Lugar and Coburn.
Waiting for Congressman Lewis in the sauna of the VIP Club.
Inside the VIP night club, Melanie, our regional director in Pensacola, warmed up the crowd and then introduced Congressman John Lewis. He was more than a little surprised to see that the crowd "in the nightclub" was nearly as large as the main group and maybe 700 in the combined groups.
Lewis recounted that this type of gathering and its energy and its heat (over 250 people in the room and leaning in the doorways) was just the feeling he had had in the early 60s when everyone knew things were going to change.
Part One Video of Congressman Lewis's Remarks
Part Two Video of Congressman Lewis's Remarks
pointing out the path to victory.
He spoke enthusiastically and couldn't resist telling stories of the old days. Without a doubt, Congressman Lewis helped us gather the names of more than 700 new volunteers. We could see how many people were getting involved in the campaign. He was pleased at the turnout and its implications.
I was inspired to get in trouble, I got into trouble...I got in the way! I want all of you..every single one of you
during the next few days, the next two weeks, then next two months...the next 59 days...I want you to get in trouble.
Congressman John Lewis, September 6, 2008, Pensacola, Florida.
Congressman Lewis signing Obama posters.
Our Congressional District One in Pensacola is the old habitat of Joe Scarborough and now Jeff Miller. Miller believes the anti-Iraq war demonstrations and legislation are proof that Bush and the USA are being stabbed in the back by traitors. He hates SCHIP, Social Security, and anything to do with women's equal pay, Choice, and immigration. Unfortunately, the counties around Eglin AFB, which is about the size of Delaware, will ensure that Miller gets re-elected.
But in Pensacola, and in Escambia County, I have a feeling that unlike all other elections, we are going to have a Democrat victory led by Obama-Biden. Pensacola's small businesses never recovered from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 (39% of small businesses disappeared) and we got punched by Hurricane Dennis in 2005 (and please God, keep IKE away from us in 2008). So many of our old retirees lost their houses or couldn't afford new roofs. Their houses were condemned and torn down. We have an official 15.8% poverty rate in Escambia County. This is now the poorest county in Florida.
If Escambia County goes for Obama, then Florida will go for Obama. This is ours to win!
We are going to have CHANGE in Pensacola, and we are Fired UP!
Link to Michael's account in the Air Conditioned Obama-Biden HQ.