Thousands of people are being turned away.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

Source: http://www.news4jax.com/politics/17519242/detail.html

Obama speaks in Jacksonville on Sept. 20

It was only a week ago that John McCain was preparing to roll into Jacksonville, with the radio and TV stations announcing that due to the anticipated large crowds, the venue had been changed. Instead, when McCain, Gov. Charile Crist, Sen. Mel Martinez, Jeb Bush, and other Republican luminaries took the stage at Veterans’ Memorial Arena, the place was embarrassingly empty.

Today Barack Obama came to town.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has just announced that no more people will be allowed into the Barack Obama Rally at Metropolitan Park.

Officers say the park is at it’s (sic) 10,000 person capacity.
e being turned away.

I was unable to attend because I must earn a living (and you thought we were getting rich off Pensito Review) but my heart was there. Obama was due to speak at 2:30 EST but reportedly did not begin until 3:40. It is now 4:30. I’ll post an update as soon as possible.

Jon mentioned that Florida is, again, a battleground state. Demographically speaking, many of McCain’s old fuddy-duddy rich supporters might not turn out to hear him pontificate (especially since he only brought Cindy as eye candy, and not Palin), but they will still vote for him. And Obama’s more ambulatory, younger, less chauffeur-driven backers would be more likely to leave their domiciles to see him.

But still…It’s been raining since this morning. The Gators are playing in Tennessee as we speak. These folks could be dry and comfy in a sports bar somewhere doing 12-ounce curls and watching the game. Instead, they’re standing in the rain listening to Obama. That’s gotta count.


Read more: http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/09/20/news-reports-thousands-turned-away-from-jacksonville-obama-rally/

---

NOVEMBER FOURTH MAY BE A SEISMIC DAY

[fascisthunter]

1. Now Compare this with a McSame/Palin SPeech...

they have to bus in their zygote-rightards just to pump up the appearance that they have as much support as Obama....

[Sophree]

2. That's so cool!

Florida for Obama!!!

[Mnemosyne]

3. That will be one major problem when they attempt their theft in Nov.

I hope they get what they have earned very soon.

[Liberalynn]

4. Thank you Florida!

:)

[napi21]

5. Lets just hope they ALL VOTE in November! That's still my biggest fear!

I hope Barack is pushing that in all his speeches! It's even MORE important this year since we have to admit there are some racists, and some RW radicals who would NEVER vote for him no matter what, and nobody knows how many there are in either group!

[movonne]

6. but very few racists would give up a game and stand in the rain to

hear him speak...

[Mnemosyne]

7. I believe it is the only chance we have, a massive turnout. Otherwise... n/t

[benh57]

8. Unfortunately, many of their votes won't be counted

"Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning announced Sept. 5 that the state will begin enforcing a year-old, controversial “no match, no vote” law. Under it, voters whose registration cards don’t match their personal identification exactly will not be allowed to vote."

[pipi_k]

9. oooohhhh...cringe....

that's not good

especially if they start getting real picky and disqualify voters just because one letter in their name is off, or someone "accidentally" transposes the numbers in their address....

ugh

not good at all

:(

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. That's a violation of HAVA

I hope someone filed a complaint.

[crossroads]

10. Way to go Florida! nt

[Lochloosa]

11. I was there. Arrived at 11:20 and had to park over a 1/2 mile away

It was a beautiful thing.

[anastasiabeaver]

12. I was at the Jax rally today.....

Not only was the outdoor park over capacity (estimates range from 10,000 to 12,000) but more than 8,000 were turned away. Having grown up here in what is traditionally a VERY conservative part of Florida, we were THRILLED with the turnout! We definitely turned Jacksonville BLUE!

[libertad]

15. I was there, too. It was great. The 8,000 that were turned away did not

leave, we could hear everything, we were just outside the gates (blocked by cops and k-9 units, by the way). Nobody left when they told us to "go home".

[Heidi]

16. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[kmdemqueen]

13. Floridia

I certainly don't think we need a repeat of what in 2000 .

[George II]

14. Why the vague subject line? Being turned away from WHAT??????????

[Judi Lynn]

17. Excellent story linked from your Channel 4 NewsJax link at the top of your post.

Metro Park Overflows With Obama Supporters
Park Reaches Capacity; 8,000 Turned Away

POSTED: 7:15 am EDT September 20, 2008
UPDATED: 10:28 pm EDT September 20, 2008


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- About 12,000 supporters -- some who had waited for hours under overcast skies -- cheered when Sen. Barack Obama appeared at a "Change We Need" rally at Metropolitan Park Saturday afternoon. Up to 8,000 others were turned away when police said the park reached capacity about one hour before the program began.

More:
http://www.news4jax.com/politics/17519242/detail.html

Excellent NEWS VIDEO to the right of the story. The reporter said the stadium filled up within the first hour, and that there were so many people in line both directions outside it would be impossible to guage how many there really were.

Thanks a lot. This is tremendous.

[radfringe]

19. compare and contrast in PA

on July 23th, 2008 -McCain had a "public rally" at the FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre

Fm Kirby Center has a seating capacity of 1,800, attendance estimates were between 600-700. For "security purposes", the town square across the street from the Kirby was closed off, however there was a group of 40-50 people protesting less than a block away - well in view of the Kirby. The "rally" was on a work day, and it was a raining....however, the rally was inside a building.

He's scheduled to be at the Scranton Cultural Center on Monday, September 22. Monday's event is set for 10:30 a.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center on North Washington Avenue. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Note: PALIN is not scheduled to be with him. Just McCain and the mrs.

Scranton Cultural Center has a seating capacity of 6,000. Wonder what the attendance will be inside the cultural center and outside protesting...