My Excellent Adventure in Springfield to See the Obama Announcement.

[illinoisprogressive]

I plan to write something more detailed later. For now it was really cold. We left at 6:00 and it was -2 in Rockford. By the time we got there at 9:00 it was 10.
There were alot of chartered buses and we found parking really easy. we thought that was a good sign.
We walked 6 blocks and OMG there were thousand and thousands of people.
we ended up really far from the stage and I couldn't see a thing. Too many tall people.
but, the sound system was great and I could hear his speech. I think it was one of the best he gave. We were shouting and clapping and whooping. He had all of us in his hands. There were people from children to 80. All kinds and colors. All of us crowded together in common cause. As one.
His speech was so inspiring and so good. He talked about so much and called for us to take back the governement from the corporations and the previlgeded few. To kick out special interestes and lobbyists.
When he was done and people started moving away we started moving up to see if we could get a picture at all> I was looking down and put my head up as we approached the fence and OMG! there he was. Far away but, I could see him. He is so alive in person. My husband got a picture. Yes!
Oh, while we were there, we saw like 3 sharp shooters on the roof of a nearby building. They was kinda bizaar.
I have the pictures downloaded but, need to see if I can zoom a bit on the Obama one. I will post later or tomorrow and you can see them.
I was struck today when I saw Obama by the same thought I have had before. We really need this man to be president. He just strikes me as the man of the moment. The one who can bring us together. I hear republicans moved by him and wanting to vote forhim. thier anger is gone. They feel humbled. He has the crossover appeal we need. He brings out in people the good and the vision and there is no more blue or red states.
I do feel he is the FDR for our times. The one man to bring us together and repair our country and our reputation. The one man who is what we need.
Anyway, that was my day.
How was yours.

[madrchsod]

1. we need new wine in new bottles

i saw him up close and personal in dixon in 2004 during a campaign stop.he`s pretty dam charismatic that is for sure.i think i`m going to have to go with obama because i`m getting tired of old people like me running things. it`s time for new ideas and i think his message will appeal to the young people across this country. i was thinking about how kennedy was my sisters generations,my generation lost bobby,so maybe obama will give hope to this generation.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. My generation gave us Reagan. And I've half my life with Bush and Clintons.

We so need someone new and someone fresh. Someone who moves this country forward and past the damn Bush And Clinton style of partisan politics and triagulation. Time for change. Past time.
As a boomer I can say, we suck.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

2. Great post illinoisprogressive.

My sister and I are going to see Sen. Obama tomorrow at his rally at the UIC Pavillion here in Chicago.

I got the tickets from a friend of mine who worked with me on a Congressional primary campaign last March. My husband was going to go, but when I told my sister I had tickets she begged me and Mr. Wonderful graciously agreed to give his up.

The thing that struck me watching his speech was the historical context. The fact that it was at the Old Capitol in Springfield where Lincoln made his famous "a house divided against itself cannot stand" speech was just overwhelming.

I'm taking my camera with me tomorrow and hopefully I'll be able to get a few good shots. I can't wait!!!!

[illinoisprogressive]

4. Even if you are far away and only get a small glimpse like me, it's so worth it.

Not only did it feel historic to see someone in Illinois and someone like Obama but, the people. The fact that so many people who are the true mix of America. I saw old people. A lady in a walker. I saw young. children. I saw black, white, brown. I saw farmers and businesspeople. I saw poor and rich. I saw it all. Chicago to the small little one street towns. College and grade school. And we did not see the other as separate. We were together and there as one. People were so nice and we were there in common ideas. People were polite. Happy. hopeful.
And the love for this man was in the air. The knowing that he is someone special and the person who this country needs.