Reply #141: I was there.

[StandingInLeftField]

From very early in the morning until about 3:00 pm. I think one reason many people left is because they had to make a day trip out of it, due to financial reasons. I myself took Amtrak overnight and then had to catch the train back that evening - so about 37 hours without sleep. I heard many others say they couldn't afford to get a hotel room, but made the sacrifices necessary to attend the rally.

There were some problems with the PA (when aren't there problems with the PA? lol.) However, I thought the majority of the speakers stayed on-topic i.e. Jobs, Education, Justice. Each made a point of the necessity of cohesiveness going into November. Every one was smiling, talking, laughing, singing. The UAW was kibitzing with the SEIU; the Dems were chatting with the Socialists (I counted 13 Socialist parties); everyone seemed genuinely enthused.

If the only positive to come out of the rally was a renewed sense of purpose and conviction for those of us under the Big Tent, then the rally was a unconditional success.