I just shook hands with the next president and first lady.

[stratomagi]

Feel free to let this thread sink if you don't like it, but I was at the Pittsburgh rally for Obama today and I got to be on the floor right up in front of the stage. I got VIP tickets for helping out on the campaign. We got there earlier than when doors were supposed to open. Good thing because the line for Obama stretched around the ridge surrounding the Petersen Events Center and over the hill out of sight. Even the VIP line got long. I hadn't eaten all day except for some chips a lady shared with me and a friend while we were in line. By the time Barack came on I guess I was standing for over 4 hours. My legs hurt so bad but it was worth it. I've seen his stump speech many times before but nothing compares to being there. I needed to see the man in person. It was an honor to be there and witness this man up close and in person. It was an honor to be able to shake the hand of the next President of the United States!

[cliffordu]

1. How many people??

[stratomagi]

Capacity is 14k

so I'd say we may have had 12k...i have a crappy old camera with an SD card that I found in my apartment from the previous tenants and used that so I don't have the pictures yet cause my friend took the card. Like I said, when we were outside the line stretched out of sight. It was also very well organized. It wasn't a total clusterfuck like when Kerry came to CMU in 04.

[NanceGreggs]

2. I am soooooooooooo jealous! n/t

[caseycoon]

22. Me toooooo :( n/t

[mystieus]

3. Pittsburgh pictures!

[ClayZ]

Great Pics! Thanks!

[stratomagi]

10. I was somewhere in that red circle.

[mamalone]

27. Oh yeah...

I recognize ya;)

[bleever]

11. Nice pics.

Thanks for posting them.

[caseycoon]

25. Thank you! Love the pics! n/t

[Cant trust em]

4. Good for you. Sounds like you deserve it.

Thanks for all of the work you've done.

[SeattleGirl]

5. Ooooh, lucky you!

:bounce: :bounce:

[ClayZ]

6. I was watching online!

There was some serious hand shaking going on!

Wooo Hooo! You lucky! Yay!


I love it when Obama holds babies.


K and R

[sandnsea]

7. And the lovely Teresa?

Did you get to meet her too? I love her, although I do think I like Michelle better. But I just love that Teresa is so freakin' rich, doesn't have to do any of the work she does, and is really so down to earth while she does it. It's a shame what the media did to her, and they're going to do it to Michelle too, if we let them.

Anyways, cool night for you!!

[stratomagi]

12. She didn't come around for the handshaking thing.

It was just Obama and Michelle, and a lot of security. :) She came by the Kerry campaign headquarters back in 04 when I was a volunteer I met her then.

On a side note while they were setting up we would cheer for the people that were setting up. Like we cheered for the guy that adjusted the angle of the podium, and the guy that taped on the "Change we can believe in" sign, it was a lot of fun down there.

[IndependentDem]

8. good for you! quick question.. how was security? n/t

[stratomagi]

13. The security was heavy.

There were cops all over Oakland and security all throughout but they were actually friendly and unlike the big Kerry rally at CMU which ended up being a logistical disaster, they got people through the scanners efficiently and quickly.

[IndependentDem]

14. good to hear, thanks for the info! n/t

[bhikkhu]

9. Fantastic, and thanks for the post.

I am certainly hopeful that things will be settled by the time OR comes into play, but if not I would work as hard. Thanks again.

[LaStrega]

15. kick and rec w00t! n/t

[gateley]

16. Thanks for the reports and the pics --

It's so uplifting to see so many people excited about the future of our country!

[Justitia]

17. Very cool! Some of my favorite pics are ones I have of myself w/Gov Dean, when he was running. -nt

[dkf]

18. Lucky you!

And thanks for helping out with the campaign.

:yourock: :yourock:

[Raine]

19. COOL!!!!

I'm so jealous!

[Scurrilous]

20. K & R

:thumbsup:

[goclark]

21. I am so happy for you and thank you for all that you are doing

It is so frustrating to be on the West Coast when I want to be in PA.

I've done the phone baking to PA and made calls to volunteers in Ohio to make the trip to PA and work for the campaign last week end.

That was really rewarding because I talked to two people who went to PA and they called me when they returned home to Ohio.

Others were so positive!

[barack the house]

23. Wow sounds so cool

[caseycoon]

24. K&R stratomagi!

How exciting!
Thanks for posting this & MANY thanks for helping with his campaign.
:yourock:

[Window]

26. Good for you!

[npincus]

28. congrats and thanks for posting!

I hope you had a nice meal after! :)

[stratomagi]

30. Wendys drive through.

So hungry I raced there.

[npincus]

31. Ah, well.

I enjoy my junk food as much as anyone, but for some reason never liked Wendy's! But everything tastes better w/an appetite.

[Shae]

29. You lucky duck!!

Don't wash that hand till tomorrow.
:bounce: