My (crappy) pics from last night's Austin Obama rally

[LucyParsons]

I am a lukewarm Obama voter. I was for Kucinich, then Edwards, now Obama.

I figured I should go, since it was only about six blocks from my house. I saw George Bush lots of times (and remain unimpressed), but I thought if I missed the opportunity to see the potential President Obama right down the street, I would never be able to explain to the grandkids (I'm 28).

My friend and I enjoyed the rally, though were less impressed by Obama's speech than we might've been if we hadn't already heard just about all of it before, repeatedly, verbatim. However, he did insert a few things I hadn't really heard before - he went on a mini-rant about the Constitution, which I appreciated, for instance. Overall, I remain a bit befuddled as to why all these thousands of people think he's the second coming. Some of them were starry-eyed, a few were giddy and jumping up and down. And we had to ask ourselves - have these people never been to a political rally before? Have they never watched an election before? Inspirational speeches and fantastic promises and stirring music are not new. I was also less than impressed by Obama's references to his faith ("I've been praising Jesus for the past twenty years!" - though, to his credit, he was making light of the "Obama is a Muslim" claims, and pointing out that they're an insult to both Christians and Muslims) and his statement (which I had seen on youtube), "I believe in the free market; I believe in capitalism." I realize he has to say things like that, yes, and if he can deliver real, meaningful, healthcare reform while saying it as lip service, then I can get behind that - but it's still disappointing. My possibly even more-cynical friend said at the outset, "I really want to be inspired, I do - but I think I'm dead inside." I told her I would expect to be inspired by the likes of Eugene V. Debs, but not by any of the current crop of politicians.

I will vote for Obama; I think it's worth giving him a chance. There is some small chance that he really "gets it". I won't hold my breath, though.


Here are some pics:



standing in line



Obama-mobile



6:15pm



The band (very good)



Our beautiful state capitol



Lights, camera...



pawn



Obama



Obama



Obama



Obama



Crowd (estimate = 21,841)



The end.

[NJSecularist]

1. Crappy? You're joking, right?

Very nice pics! Thank you.

[LucyParsons]

2. Well, I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to get a good, clear shot of Obama

I was only about 50 feet away, but my $120 Kodak camera couldn't *quite* zoom far enough to get a clear, focused shot of him.

[usregimechange]

25. We have lots of clear Obama pictures but what we didn't have was what you posted, thanks

[lligrd]

3. Thanks For The Pics nt

[goldcanyonaz]

4. Beautiful photos. Looks like a great time.

[nookiemonster]

17. Thank you for your civility.

:)

n/t

[thunder rising]

5. Enough with the speeches and the really really huge NBA sized rally's. (He's only showing off)

He needs to grow up and get a job.

[Thrill]

6. I've been amazed by TX. Who knew there were so many

Democrats there? And why the hell is it never close for a Dem to win the state in the Presidential Race or a Senate Seat. If there are this many of them?

[LucyParsons]

13. Texas

Went for JFK in '60.

LBJ

Barbara Jordan

John Nance Garner

Lloyd Bentsen

Ann Richards

Ralph Yarborough

Sarah T. Hughes

Henry B. Gonzales

I could go on...

;)

There are a lot of liberals, and Democrats in Texas. Bush got 61% here in 2004. Yes, I agree that's f*cking ridiculous, but, still. There are over 22,000,000 people in Texas - we're not monolithic.

[Thrill]

16. So why is there no chance to win it in NOV?

[LucyParsons]

18. Racism, religion.

That's pretty much it.

People, in general, are not very smart. They continually vote against their own self-interest. Hence middle class people like my parents will vote Republican because they really believe "blacks" and "feminists" and "gays" and "atheists" want to force some "agenda" on them. SIGH.

[XemaSab]

26. There are counties in Texas along the Rio Grande more solidly blue

than San Francisco. :)

[peace13]

7. Thanks for these.

I feel your pain on the Kucinich thing. Somehow I missed the Eward phase and stayed in no 'mans' land for quite some time. I too will vote for Obama and hope that he is not leading me down the garden path. The fact that he studied Constitutional law makes me hopeful. Hope...I just don't know if I dare to. Peace, Kim

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

24. Not only studied it - Taught it

I was for Biden and when he dropped out was undecided - until I heard Mickey Edwards talk about the unitary executive. He said the most important question to ask a candidate was what their idea of the role of the president is. Since Barack taught constitutional law, I figured he knew the right answer.

[peace13]

27. Thanks for the correction.

I think he knows the right answer as well. peace, Kim

[JimGinPA]

8. The Pictures Are Nice...

It looks like you were able to get pretty close.

Thanks for sharing.

:applause:

[stellanoir]

9. Silly

those picts are gorgeous.

thanks

[gateley]

I love the estimate: twenty one thousand, eight hundred and forty ONE. nt

[LucyParsons]

14. I read that on some reputable news site

But I can't remember which. ;)

[tammywammy]

10. I swear I saw the same Obama mobile on Wednesday in Dallas

:)

Good pics!

[babylonsister]

11. "Have they never watched an election before?" That's precisely it.

Many people have never paid attention before and are inspired. Many are just sick of what this country has become and want something and someone different.

I envy you; wish I could have gone. Thanks for the commentary and pix.

And the guy can't win when it comes to speeches with his critics (not the OP, in general):

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/02/19/obama-discovers-his-inner-wonk.aspx

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obama-speeches-analyzed-feb24,0,7672692.story

[Thepricebreaker]

12. Draws them in!

The man can draw them in!

[zulchzulu]

15. Your COOL pictures told a great story!

Without a tripod at night, getting real clear photos is tough unless you have a hopped-up digital camera. Your photos rocked in my view!

[JI7]

19. i love the pics

looks like a beautiful night.

[Forkboy]

20. Maybe it's just me, but I love these kind of pics, regardless of candidate.

Seeing people INTO it is cool.

[Recursion]

21. I want an Obamamobile

Can he raffle it off?

I also want a copy of the Obamanomicon.

[monmouth]

22. Your pics are wonderful and your capitol is beautiful...n/t

[Adelante]

23. I enjoyed the pics

You have an eye for interesting composition. Thanks.

[RoadRage]

28. 21,000??

WOW... just wow.

Thanks for the recap. The pictures were great.. i've seen lots of "clear perfect" pics of Obama - I like the ones you put up!