A Rock Concert Atmosphere at the Civic Center for Obama - 17,000 Show up to Hear Obama Speak

[MadBadger]

rock concert.

That's what it felt like at the former Hartford Civic Center on Monday night during the campaign appearance by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The place was packed. With people standing on the floor where the basketball court would normally be, the crowd was estimated by a fire marshal at about 17,000.

The highly enthusiastic crowd started doing "The Wave'' even before the speakers started. In section 102, a woman was holding up an infant who was wearing a bib that said, "Babies for Obama.''

The crowd roared when the first speaker came out, and he wasn't even part of the official program. When the official party came out, U.S. Rep. John Larson of East Hartford - the first speaker - told the crowd to look at the people on either side and remember the event.

"Feel the moment,'' Larson announced. "You are part of history. ... This is something you will remember all of your life.''

Some politicians have compared Obama to John F. Kennedy, and former presidential candidate Bill Bradley said Monday that Obama is the type of political figure who comes around once every three or four generations.

The highly partisan crowd cheered any time one of the speakers would say that George W. Bush would not be president one year from now or that he would not be on the ballot in November.

"GOP used to stand for Grand Old Party,'' Larson said. "Now, it stands for Gas, Oil, and Petroleum.''

When Obama finally came out, he waved to the crowd behind the stage and they roared back in the way that Bruce Springsteen fans respond when The Boss waves in their direction.


"Wow!'' Obama said when he took the microphone. "Look at all of you. What a magnificent crowd.''

Obama has been drawing increasingly large crowds since Iowa, and the basketball-arena crowds are becoming more common. He spoke Monday at the Meadowlands in New Jersey before heading to Hartford.

Before Obama's 49-minute speech, people waited outside in blustery weather in a line that stretched four blocks around the civic center. People of all ages came from all across Connecticut.

http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2008/02/a-rock-concert.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. I see an empty seat up in Row Z

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. LOL....

:rofl: I am at a total loss for words. Where do all these people come from? Something truly wonderful is happening in this country, and I'm just glad I'm alive to witness it.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Me too, at the tender age of 48

:thumbsup:

Never thought I would see the day.

[VolcanoJen]

7. Hugs, BeyondGeo!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

Oh, you look so beautiful tonight...

[BeyondGeography]

15. That's me in my early 40's

:hi:

[David Zephyr]

3. And I think I might see another empty seat...no that one's filled, too.

LOL!

[VolcanoJen]

5. I see an empty seat in YY

Oh wait... that's a baby carrier!

}(

[Barack_America]

10. Bathroom break. Clearly. n/t

[propol]

6. great pics

You had good seats!

[MadBadger]

11. You'll have to thank the Hartford Courant. Im waiting for him to come to Madison again myself.

[FrenchieCat]

8. My daughter and her new husband are standing in line in MA as I type.....

He said giddily ......at least 30K here.

Daughter not as giddy....says simply, the longest line in the world.

[MadBadger]

13. How big is the place they are speaking? I cant imagine it would hold 30K

[rodeodance]

9. now--to see is the starts and glitter approach will translate into votes.

[Thrill]

12. Its amazing what this man is doing for the Party.....I'm just amazed

[Barack_America]

14. So, if I'm not mistaken, that's 32,000 people at the first two events...

How big is the venue in Boston? Can we make this a full 50,000 for the day?

Unbelievable.

[MadBadger]

16. Actually the earlier reported 15,000 was for this event. He actually got 17000.

[Barack_America]

17. Ah okay...

So 20,000 for the first two events.

I guess everyone in New Jersey was still hung over this morning, lol.