iskew

Sooooo.... Barack Obama had a rally in Richmond today at the Richmond Coliseum where 13,000 seats were filled (allowed capacity; slight less than normal because of media space). More than 7,000 were not allowed in... Pretty impressive to draw more than 20,000 total to an indoor venue in the middle of a work week (Palin drew the same number outside on a bank holiday last week in this "red" state.)

It was an amazing experience. The diversity was so obvious and completely reflective of what I once cynically assumed was a staged group behind Barack in videos-- no, the entire crowd was like that. The actual day itself, for all it's waiting was very positive and full of new friends and mutual support. It began at 6:45am and didn't end until we all staggered out around 2:30.

If you think Barack Obama speaks well on TV, in person he's practically perfect. Less about charisma and charm and more just about poise, an intelligence that is nearly intimidating, and a practicality to his phrasing that is entrancing. More to the point, his off-speech moments are even better (somehow). He managed to make Warner and Kaine look aggrandizing (and for any ego those two have, they aren't exactly dripping with overconfidence). Of course seeing Wilder speak briefly reminds us how important the dramatic rise of Obama is from a minority perspective, and at the same time shows us how Obama completely transcends Wilder's issues by being (gasp!) inclusive.

Anyway, the actual crowd and rally experience with 13,000 people - most of whom I can safely say would be considered middle to lower class in terms of wealth - was as much of the event as Obama. This was a rally not dominated by polo shirts and $200 sweaters, but by a much more representative electorate of all stripes. When Obama asked the loaded question of, "Who here makes less than $250,000 a year?" it may seem obvious, but of course the entire place raised hands and didn't even bother looking around them to see if anyone voted differently (not so fast Wilder).

By the end I'd gotten a chance to shake his hand. Throughout the event, once I made it to the floor, I had a really nice view. For me personally it was a landmark moment for my family. Speaking to my mother, after the rally by phone, we confirmed that should Obama become president that I would then be the first person in my family (either side) to see a president in person like that. (Finally, I beat my Dad at SOMETHING.)

Lastly, I can honestly say that I personally was proud of Obama. I've never felt like that about a candidate. Hell, most of the time I'm mind-numbingly disappointed in the people themselves enough that I have to hold my nose and vote. But with Barack, it's different. The catcalls of socialism are so amusing. First off, they use it as a vague term, not at all separating the various kinds of socialism (communism, Scandinavian democratic socialism). And secondly they use it with no sense of irony as the federal gov't takes over a bank, restricts more freedoms than ever, continues a failed war on drugs and more. They point at the shiny object of interpreted words in a pick-up conversation, while practical implementation of socialist concepts actually happen under their noses. There's little discussion of what is actually right and would be helpful. I'm largely in agreement with many Libertarian ideals - but I also recognize that until we get this nation on a track, there will continue to be a chosen few are essentially born on 3rd base, while more and more aren't even born in the stadium. It is idealistic to want to pull the rug from everyone and say, "hey we're all free and equal!" It's even worse to wish upon those people a lack of assistance while Rome burns. Guess who has a second home when Rome's in ashes.

Okay, I'm ranting. Anyway. It was really something. I'm happy I was there. Photos and video...


More photos on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008943&id=97500200&ref=mf


More videos on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/user/iskew