Went to the Obama rally here in Sarasota, FL this morning

[aphex]

Insane number of people so far, Reds stadium fits 10,000. Not as big as some other rallies, but for a historically Republican area (Katherine Harris represented here) it's pretty darn impressive. Gonna see if I can get flickr working on my iPhone so I can upload pics throughout the morning.

Panorama of Obama Rally

 

[Ryan]

w00t! I showed up to see Michelle Obama in Pensacola two weeks ago, IIRC - 8000 showed, it was an impressive, and emotional crowd.

Florida Respresentin'

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: aphex
Insane number of people so far, Reds stadium fits 10,000. Not as big as some other rallies, but for a historically Republican area (Katherine Harris represented here)

What is the old Republican Diva up to now that Sarah has taken over?

 

[aphex]

just got my seat, very good view... it's gettting full

 

[buck]

Be sure to yell "Terrorist" when he mentions McCains name.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: buck
Be sure to yell "Terrorist" when he mentions McCains name.

With all the criticsing of what is said at Palin rallies, there was a moment that pissed me off during the Obama and Clinton rally in Kissimmee last night. Obama was giving a few props to Mac before criticizing his policies, and there were boos when he expressed appreciation for *iirc* Mac standing up against torture. WTF???!???

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: buck
Be sure to yell "Terrorist" when he mentions McCains name.

With all the criticsing of what is said at Palin rallies, there was a moment that pissed me off during the Obama and Clinton rally in Kissimmee last night. Obama was giving a few props to Mac before criticizing his policies, and there were boos when he expressed appreciation for *iirc* Mac standing up against torture. WTF???!???

McCain was against torture before he was for it. I don't understand Obama's kudos to McCain on this issue. McCain has flip flopped mightily concerning Bush's love affair with torture.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: buck
Be sure to yell "Terrorist" when he mentions McCains name.

With all the criticsing of what is said at Palin rallies, there was a moment that pissed me off during the Obama and Clinton rally in Kissimmee last night. Obama was giving a few props to Mac before criticizing his policies, and there were boos when he expressed appreciation for *iirc* Mac standing up against torture. WTF???!???

McCain was against torture before he was for it. I don't understand Obama's kudos to McCain on this issue. McCain has flip flopped mightily concerning Bush's love affair with torture.

He is just pandering to the hardcore base. That isn't very Nobel, but he is in the middle of a political war, and is making some very unsavory choices in an effort to win it, thats all.

I also hope your aren't approving of the crowd booing him, regardless of which accolade it was over, because the guy deserves every American's respect IMHO, crappy, negative campaign or not.

EDIT: Sorry about OT in your thread Aphex, looking forward to any more news or pics. :beer:

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: aphex
Insane number of people so far, Reds stadium fits 10,000. Not as big as some other rallies, but for a historically Republican area (Katherine Harris represented here) it's pretty darn impressive. Gonna see if I can get flickr working on my iPhone so I can upload pics throughout the morning.

Aphex,

I was considering attending this rally but couldn't get away from work for the day.
Enjoy yourself and I anticipate some iPhone pix.

 

[aphex]

Just got back (stopped by for lunch at Winghouse after). I have to say, it was very cool being there. To say I was surprised at the turnout would be an understatement, it was amazing how many showed up. I was in line behind and subsequently sat next to a group of 10+ high school kids who's parents wanted to get them interested in politics, so they took the whole group to both McCain's rally in town a few weeks ago and Obama's rally today. Very interesting to hear all their impressions on both rallies.

One kinda neat highlight, the Sarasota Airport is very close to the Red's stadium, so about 30 minutes before the rally started Obama's jet went on final approach, very low right over the stadium. I was sitting there and started to hear a loud thunderous applause and didn't know what was going on until I saw the jet. Just kinda got things off to a good start.

Pics coming soon.

 

[aphex]

http://homepage.mac.com/josh.h/pics/ObamaRallysm.jpg

 

[aphex]

http://www.heraldtribune.com/a...REAKING/810300267/2055

12,500 estimated

 

[Kirby]

"Change We Need"

Did Yoda make those posters?

 

[dbk]

Wow...Nice pic! :thumbsup:

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: aphex
http://www.heraldtribune.com/a...REAKING/810300267/2055

12,500 estimated

Did Obama bus in thousands of school children like Johnny Mac?

 

[aphex]

Bradenton.com is reporting 12,000 - 14,000

http://www.bradenton.com/847/story/994442.html

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: aphex
http://www.heraldtribune.com/a...REAKING/810300267/2055

12,500 estimated

Did Obama bus in thousands of school children like Johnny Mac?

Nope, no buses except for people who parked over at Robarts Arena a few blocks away and rode a free shuttle. McCain was at Robarts a few weeks back, gave out 12,000 tickets for the 4,000 seat arena, but according to the same site only 3,000 made it in - http://www.bradenton.com/presi...tion/story/978517.html

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

EDIT: Sorry about OT in your thread Aphex, looking forward to any more news or pics. :beer:

No worries

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER

Originally posted by: buck
Be sure to yell "Terrorist" when he mentions McCains name.

With all the criticsing of what is said at Palin rallies, there was a moment that pissed me off during the Obama and Clinton rally in Kissimmee last night. Obama was giving a few props to Mac before criticizing his policies, and there were boos when he expressed appreciation for *iirc* Mac standing up against torture. WTF???!???

McCain was against torture before he was for it. I don't understand Obama's kudos to McCain on this issue. McCain has flip flopped mightily concerning Bush's love affair with torture.

One political technique is to compliment someone for what you want them to do.

'Ironwing, I really think a lot of how you have stood up for some of the liberal economic approaches - you have shown courage and insight.'

See how that compliment could make it a bit awkward for you to say something harshly right-wing in response?

This may be a case of picking his battles - Obama may look 'extremist' if he attacks McCain on torture, when so many believe McCain must be very anti-torture - and also a way of innoculating himself from MCain attacking him from the left on the issue, using it as an example of 'maverick' behavior and where McCain has a lot of credibility (whether or not he deserves it). It sort of nullifies the issue for Obama to say he and McCain agree, and lets Obama keep issues he has an advantage on at the middle of the debate, like the economy.

 

[Craig234]

Regarding these rallies, even as a strong supporter of Obama over McCain, I'm surprised by the numbers who go - I'm not sure I'd go to one nearby. They seem like fairly empty exercises to me, repeating the marketing slogans. I'll speak out for Obama, but watching him give the 'change we can believe in' speech doesn't do much for me. But I might go just to 'show support' and see the other supporters a bit.

I think more issue-oriented people can find the populism techniques - the mob energy - important to winning an election sort of disconcerting, even with candidates we support, if nothing else just because it's clear how that same approach can be used by candidates with terrible positions, and worrisome how little issue-oriented arguments are in influencing the opinions of so many people.

I'd considered starting a thread on the topic of 'things wrong about the 2008 election even if the right guy wins', but one point is how nothing has been done to fix the issue of money haveing too much a role, we just got lucky to have 'our guy' be better able to raise more this time; it's an issue that will bite us as long as big money has that lever in its hands. Another is how the trivial (lipstick on a pig, 'socialist') *still* dominate far too much.

 

[aphex]

Regarding these rallies, even as a strong supporter of Obama over McCain, I'm surprised by the numbers who go - I'm not sure I'd go to one nearby. They seem like fairly empty exercises to me, repeating the marketing slogans. I'll speak out for Obama, but watching him give the 'change we can believe in' speech doesn't do much for me. But I might go just to 'show support' and see the other supporters a bit.

Well, I think thats why many of us go though. I doubt anyone attending hasn't heard it all before, but its nice to come together and rally around a cause/candidate. Overall I enjoyed it, well worth the wait.

 

[sportage]

He will be here friday noon-ish time. I'd like to go but it will be packed. And I can not imagine the parking nightmare. But maybe I'll give it a try.
I seen Bill Clinton before he was elected in 1992, so maybe I should see "That One" too.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: aphex
Insane number of people so far, Reds stadium fits 10,000. Not as big as some other rallies, but for a historically Republican area (Katherine Harris represented here) it's pretty darn impressive. Gonna see if I can get flickr working on my iPhone so I can upload pics throughout the morning.

Panorama of Obama Rally

kind of a small crowd tbh

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: aphex
Insane number of people so far, Reds stadium fits 10,000. Not as big as some other rallies, but for a historically Republican area (Katherine Harris represented here) it's pretty darn impressive. Gonna see if I can get flickr working on my iPhone so I can upload pics throughout the morning.

Panorama of Obama Rally

kind of a small crowd tbh

12,500 - 14,000 is small compared to some markets, but this is Sarasota, that number is huge around here. The city itself only has a population of 52,000+ (not counting surrounding areas though)

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
the guy deserves every American's respect IMHO, crappy, negative campaign or not.

I'm not from Missouri but I say show me. I don't see a respect worthy candidate in McCain.