18,000 people showed up in Virginia Beach yesterday to see Obama

[beachmom]

Let's keep this in perspective. Despite a breakthrough in '05, when Tim Kaine won Virginia Beach, this still is a very conservative place with a lot of military and Pat Robertson's Empire. In 2006, Webb did win in Virginia but not Virginia Beach. That's right: George "Macaca" Allen won Virginia Beach even after all of that extraordinarily bad publicity.

And, yet, a Democratic candidate shows up in 2008, and 18,000 show up and the interstate backs up! Guys, something is happening here, and no matter who you support, maybe we need to take a moment out to really feel grateful for this breakthrough for the Democrats in red states.

The time's are changing, and no matter who gets the nomination or wins the general election, Obama has been able to pulverize the concept of "red states" and "blue states". All I can say is, it's about time!

[tabatha]

1. Good post.

Something to think about and appreciate.

[CoffeeCat]

2. We are watching history play out...

...and we are all a part of it.

I am all ready saving newspapers.

Our country hasn't seen anything like this since Kennedy.

Interstates and highways were backed up in Nebraska and also Maine. Geez, this
campaign seems to be getting bigger and bigger by the day! Wisconsin is going
to be nuts, and who knows where it will all be by the time Ohio and Texas
roll around, in a few weeks.

It's very exciting.

I knew when I talked with him in Iowa that he was something special, as was
his ability to attract Republicans and Indies. I stood on a chair at our
caucus, and told everyone about my experiences with the campaign, and how
he would eventually be our nominee.

Nothing like it--during my lifetime--has every rolled through Iowa and Obama
was just getting started then. I can't EVEN imagine being in the states
that vote now or will vote soon.

It's so remarkable and so exciting for our party.

[beachmom]

3. Thanks for your story from Iowa. I had the privilege to see him

up close at YearlyKos, and he was even gracious enough to sign my book while he was pre-occupied answering questions by the press.

I really hope he makes it, but in a sense, we have already won.

[davidwparker]

4. Rats. I live in the area and I didn't know he was here. Where was he?

Amphitheater? Pavillion?

[beachmom]

5. It was actually a friend of mine who e-mailed me, that she actually

had to go home it was so mobbed. I think it was somewhere near the Oceanfront because she mentioned the interstate backing up at Birdneck.

(I lived in VB, but moved away in Dec.)

[davidwparker]

12. I bet that was the Virginia Beach Pavilion. You're the second DU'er who I've

met that moved away. Catchawave also lived here and then moved to Florida.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. Yeah, but polls suggest...

that Virginia is going to be one of those states that doesn't matter.

:P

[Adelante]

8. Only if Obama wins it will Virginia not matter

:D

[my3boyz]

9. Oh Virginia will matter! It was too close to call for a bit

in 2004. Yeah, Bush ended up winning by 13 pts BUT so much has changed since then. I truly believe VIrginia is purple (due to Northern VA) and has the possibility of turning blue with the right candidate.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. That was a joke.

The Clinton campaign is actually been spinning her loses as saying the states she lost in don't matter.

I agree, I think there are parts of the South in play for Obama in the GE. Virginia... Louisiana...

[my3boyz]

11. Okay...sorry about that!

[MagsDem]

7. The media is a powerful tool when they spread a myth

Nothing's changing. The media still does people's thinking for them. If they didn't people would know Obama voted against all troop withdrawals until he decided to run for president; that he ducks important votes; and that he is as in bed as can be with corrupt cronies like Rezko.