My First Political Rally

[CaptStu]

This afternoon, my wife and I attended our first presidential political rally. It was for Barack Obama and was held at UAB's Bartow arena in downtown Birmingham. It may have been one of the most uplifting, amazing events I have ever attended. When it's said that Obama rallys are part rock concert and part inspirational ceremony, those sentiments are very true. I'll remember this the rest of my life.

From the Birmingham News:

More than 10,000 people are in and right outside UAB's Bartow Arena awaiting an appearance by presidential candidate Barack Obama, authorities working the event said.

It's a raucous crowd in the arena. Just about every seat is taken and music is blaring as people stream in just before the scheduled 2 p.m. speech.

The crowd mirrors the trend that has characterized Obama's campaign. Supporters are black, white, witnesses to the civil rights movement, and college students who can barely remember a White House without a Clinton or Bush.

"I think it speaks for the country that we are ready for a different kind of leader," said Stephanie Doss, 22, of Birmingham.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/blog/Jan27Alabama2.jpg

[Disgustipated]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t183/cdubroboto/jokes/text/america-fuck-yeah.jpg

AMERICCAAA...

Just to let you know, I will be playing that song on repeat for 24 hours if Obama wins.

[Kagger]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t183/cdubroboto/jokes/text/america-fuck-yeah.jpg

AMERICCAAA...

Just to let you know, I will be playing that song on repeat for 24 hours if Obama wins.

I'm going to hold you to this.

[GrinR]

It might be interesting to see how an Obama presidency will adapt to the pressures of realpolitik. So far his positions on things are either amorphous or not mine, but he seems earnest about wanting to break the cycles of left and right... I wonder how that would play out.

[fitbabits]

It might be interesting to see how an Obama presidency will adapt to the pressures of realpolitik. So far his positions on things are either amorphous or not mine, but he seems earnest about wanting to break the cycles of left and right... I wonder how that would play out.

And that's my biggest concern about Obama - his position on a lot of topics is, as you said, amorphous. He needs to be more open and honest with people and less evasive when asked pointed questions. I understand politics, especially in an election year, is the art of talking without actually saying anything, but that can only take you so far...

[bKangy]

I just hope the Ted Kennedy endorsement and the rumour of his campaigning will assist Obama to a victory in California. If he gets that, I can see him putting the Clinton machine to bed.

[IrishWhiskey]

Obama's SC victory speech, which many have said is his best yet. Well worth watching (anyone who spots the word "Change" wins a thousand dollars!).



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[AversionFX]

That was a damn good speech. Makes me think he could really un-fuck American politics.

[CaptStu]

Here is a vid of Barack walking into yesterday's rally in Birmingham. It was really crazy. Surreal crazy.

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[TheFlyingOrc]

My problem with Obama is that when I listen to him, I don't think he knows what he's doing. He hasn't appeared to be that clever of a man to me.

But goodness - at least he seems like a nice guy. I'd take that nice retarded man from the post office over Hilary.

[Karmakin]

My problem with Obama is that when I listen to him, I don't think he knows what he's doing. He hasn't appeared to be that clever of a man to me.

But goodness - at least he seems like a nice guy. I'd take that nice retarded man from the post office over Hilary.

I've heard him speak on the issues. He's no Gore, but then again, he's no Bush/Paul/Kuchinich.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I've heard him speak on the issues. He's no Gore, but then again, he's no Bush/Paul/Kuchinich.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here.

[The Bashar]

He sounds like a demagogue to me. He is getting people fired up with simple slogans, great speeches (they are really good), and promises of change. But he isn't really saying the how. We'll have to wait and see what his actual policies are going to be.

[Karmakin]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here.

AFAIC, when it comes to actually putting together the threads in terms of government, the smartest guy I've ever heard is Gore. Irregardless of what you think about his current crusade, he actually ties together disparate issues into a coherent cloth. When I think about politicians, that is, in fact, what I want.

Obama, in fact isn't too bad for this. I've seen him tie together issues before in a coherent and understandable way. So do Edwards and H. Clinton. (Actually, to be honest, the candidates in this cycle NEED to do this or the activist class of the Democratic party would rip them to shreds. These guys have spent the last 6 years or so tying together threads, and they don't want all that work to be ignored).

On the other side of the coin, guys such as Bush, Paul and Kuchinich as far as I'm concerned are morons when it comes to this. They see what they want to see, and see everything through their own lens. I honestly think Ron Paul is the worst for this. EVERYTHING he blames on leaving the gold standard.

[joruussuun]

I tell you what, I've never been excited about politics until now. I first read about Obama in 2004 after his Democratic National Convention speech, in which all articles the next day about the DNC were really about Obama. (All the headlines had "Obama" in it, and I was like, "What's an 'Obama'?")

He's incredibly charismatic, extremely well-spoken, and inspiring. What people call inexperience, I call not bogged down by the current Washington quid-pro-quo (did I use that right, I'm easily confused by big words and new to politics), which let's face it, isn't working anymore.

I read his first book (Dreams from My Father, a partial auto-biography) last week, and currently have his second, The Audacity of Hope (political in nature), from the library. I was eager to attend his speech here in Charleston, but didn't know of it until the day of (it was only half a mile away, and you needed tickets). His win here in South Carolina on Saturday, and by such a wide margin, pleased me greatly. No matter what you say about him, inspiring young people (and not just young people) into being more politically aware is definitely a step in the right direction.

I just feel this is a very exciting time for this country.

EDIT: Something weird, the only politician I've ever liked before Obama arrived on the scene, was John McCain, but I just feel he's too late to the party.

EDIT2: If anyone's wondering, I'm 24, white, middle class.

[mr. murphy]

On the other side of the coin, guys such as Bush, Paul and Kuchinich as far as I'm concerned are morons when it comes to this. They see what they want to see, and see everything through their own lens. I honestly think Ron Paul is the worst for this. EVERYTHING he blames on leaving the gold standard.

I always felt Kucinich did the thread weaving well, but I've read a lot of his stuff over the years - he doesn't do a good job of presenting that data when he speaks.

And I'm not saying I agree or disagree with Ron Paul... but leaving the gold standard was a horrible idea, and finding a way to fix that will also involve (like you said, in an intertwining way) fixing the entire economy.