I teared up at the NJ Obama rally today

[ramapo]

I hope this tearing up story doesn't stir controversy.

This morning I'm sitting at my desk at 11AM, 20 minutes from the the Izod Center where Obama is to appear in a little more than an hour.

Screw it, there's nothing here that can't wait, I thought. I'm going.

I had a nervous excitement as I got close to the Arena and the Obama signs began to sprout like spring flowers. I parked, and now at 11:30 there was still a line waiting to go through the security check. The speeches had started. There was a bit of anxiety amongst us all to get in.

Ten minutes later I'm in a seat. Way too late for a prime position in front of the stage but I had a great view of the event.

Oft-Acting Governor Codey was speaking. He had been an Edwards supporter. Codey introduced Bill Bradley, NJ's favorite Senator. Then came Robert DeNiro who finished up at 12 Noon. Then we waited.

Finally, after about 20 minutes, the main event started with two surprise guests.

Caroline and Ted Kennedy! The crowd went wild. I was so surprised. I had watched Caroline at yesterday's event in California. She had taken the red-eye to get back for this rally. And there she was walking in with the two Senators.

Well, I'm old enough to remember JFK. He was elected when I was five, died when I was just eight. But I recall almost as clearly as if it was yesterday, the inspiration of that man. I remember learning his words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". It was a bit confusing for a five-year-old but I recognized the power of those words. They stirred me back then, and still do today, even through the many layers of cynicism.

But I also remember Caroline and John, my generation in the White House.

Now more than 45 years later, here was Caroline, in the same room as me! (albeit a very large room) We had come together for Barack Obama, who we hope will put our country back on the track that it had left so very long ago.

Well damn if this didn't bring more than a few tears to my eyes.

Ted Kennedy gave a rousing introduction. Caroline didn't speak. Obama gave a good speech, not much different from what I'd seen on CSPAN, my hands got sore from clapping, and I marveled at the moment. All too soon it was over, I watched from afar as Obama worked the rope line.

Caroline was gone but her presence made this day very special. It seems almost silly to say, but it did.

Obama continues to impress and inspire me. I can only hope that tomorrow puts him on solid ground for the nomination because I believe that will mean that I just had an advance look at our next President.

[propol]

1. woo-hoo!

so awesome! thanks for your report...

[Exultant Democracy]

2. I am standing in line waiting to get into the CT event now

I wonder who else will show up here. I'm sure Ted will be there.

[grantcart]

3. WoW I saw Caroline yesterday in LA

she is really committed to this to be putting in such a travel schedule.

[goclark]

15. I was there too yesterday ~ a once in a life time experience

:bounce:

[grantcart]

19. my daughter who I had to drag there came out and said

"I have never seen such powerful women before" BTW I was sitting in the area that became the backdrop for the candidates. lol

[NJObamaWoman]

4. Hey Ramapo. I probably saw you today and didn't even know

you posted here. Wasn't it great? I loved it when DeNiro came out. I don't know where you were sitting but I was near the Obama outfit lady.

[ramapo]

7. Back of section 121

On the 123 side. I was a couple rows down from the top. Good view of everybody's backside!

[Madam Mossfern]

17. I was sitting in the section of seats on the floor- third row

The lights killed my eyes. I don't know which section - it wasn't 121 which was behind the podium. I was supposed to usher VIP's to the front of that section but there were so many volunteers that they just let me take a seat. since it was about 9:30 AM, I had the pick of the stadium.

[NJObamaWoman]

21. Yeah the light was awful. I took lots of pics but they probably all came

out really bad. I was sitting near the lady who made all the obama signs into a dress.

[Madam Mossfern]

22. Hahahahahahahaha

Yeah, I saw her there. She was some character, now that's what I call pumped!
So that's why there were no lawn signs left. Not to worry, they'll order plenty more after Obama's nomination.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

5. To show my ignorance :P "taking the red eye" means what? and great read n/t

[ramapo]

11. Traveled all night...

Been awhile since I've done it but you get on the plane late in LA (11PM ish) and get off very early (6AM ish) in Newark.

[ellisonz]

14. Wiki

A red-eye flight describes a flight operated by an airline late at night or very early in the morning, typically between the period from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The term red-eye derives from the fatigue symptom of having red eyes, which can be caused by:

Dehydration from the low humidity environment of aircraft cabins
Insomnia caused by cramped seating conditions typically found in Economy Class
Jet lag
Insufficient sleep the night before the flight
Alcohol consumption and/or the increased effect of alcohol at altitude

Depending on the origin and destination of the flight, a red-eye flight may run at different times. For example, a flight from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States might take approximately five hours. If the flight leaves at 10:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, it will arrive at its destination at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time the next day, thereby taking the passengers' entire night.

In North America, Canada and Australia, red-eye flights fly from the west to the east coast, capitalizing on the timezone changes and the rising sun. But the term can refer to any overnight flight which travels in the opposite direction of the Earth's rotation, or west to east.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eye_flight

[VolcanoJen]

6. What a beautiful story!!!

Thank you!!!! :hug:

[Whisp]

8. great report. thanks! nt

[K Gardner]

9. Thanks for a positive and uplifting post ! I'm phonebanking today and people I talk to are EXCITED!

[sfam]

10. I'm saving this post in case you ever decide to run for President...

Just kidding. Nice post. :)

[Madam Mossfern]

12. I was there too...

did you see me? ;)
I don't disagree with anything he says. I liked the schtick he did in the beginning of his speech about 'experience' and how some wanted him 'cooked' a bit longer in the beltway until he was ready for the office.

[Auntie Bush]

13. Then you're not fit to be president!

[Adelante]

16. Thanks for the report

I loved reading it :)

[alteredstate]

18. Wish I'd been there with you! n/t

[Laurab]

20. K & R n/t

[busymom]

23. Did your eyes just get misty,

or was it a real, honest cry? I'll be checking the CNN website for updates and hopefully a video anytime now.

[ramapo]

24. Just teared up

A little more than misty, but pretty watery...nothing streaming down my cheeks so not a real, honest cry. I'm no Edmund Muskie, if you remember what happened to him when he cried during the campaign.