My trip to see the next President of the United States

wellstone dem

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Wed Jun-04-08 08:25 PM
Original message

My trip to see the next President of the United States

Edited on Wed Jun-04-08 09:04 PM by wellstone dem

(Pretrip encouragement) http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

I was able to get off work a bit early and drove home. It would have been
shorter to head straight for St. Paul, but I have dogs, and had to get
home to let them out. As a result, my sister and her daughter were
able to drive with me. Traffic was not bad, despite it being rush hour
and the bridge being out, and we started to see Obama bumper stickers
as we got through Minneapolis. The trip with my sister and niece
(just about a sophomore in high school) was great. My sister and I talked
with my niece about the significance of electing an African American.
We talked about segregation and Jim Crow. We talked about our
own feelings about how much this meant to us.

It was about 5:30 and parking was fine. We looked down from the
top of the parking ramp at the line and it was impressive but not too intimidating.

But as soon as we got down to the Center and started looking for the
end of the line, we started getting nervous--would we get in.

We walked to the arena and people pointed to the end of a long line of
people, we went to the end of that block and were pointed further down
the next block. We saw the line winding through a park area but were
pointed another direction. We finally got to our spot,and began our wait.
It was amazing. People were friendly, offered to share food, smiled, chatted,
and wondered together whether we would get in. More and more people were coming,
we couldn't see the end of the line.

We were outside of a hotel, and eventually a few folks realized they could
see a TV, so we started getting regular reports of CNN's delegate update.
"7" "6" "5" was the last one I heard. My sister said that Hubert Humphrey's
grandson was a few people behind us. (He was wearing a suit jacket and
looked like he could be someone--but we never checked ids)

A pizza place brought samples and then took orders. We could see the part
of the line that we would need to reach to be able to hope to see the arena,
it wasn't moving. At about 6:30 it seemed to move a little, but then stopped.
(For us to reach the point we could see we needed to go around a block,
through the park, down the block, and one more block to that point.)

A cheer went up. A young woman wearing a cap and gown was walking to
one of the two graduations which were going on in the area. Calls of
"Speech" went out, and she smiled and waved. There was some talk about
starting "the wave" but then another graduate walked by, and it was
easier to cheer the graduates.

Another cheer at the head of the line. We looked for the graduate, but
could not see one. Then the lined moved about six feet and we cheered too.
It was about 7:15. At first it was in stops and starts, but we were moving.
As I walked down that first block, Former Senator Dave Durenburger walked by.
No one else seemed to recognize him, but I shook his hand. My sister was
impressed. We reached the park, more graduates to cheer, still no
indication whether we would get in or not. After we got through the
park and down a block, we could see the spot we started at and the
line of people at that spot--no end of the line in sight.

We got in at about 8 or 8:15, I forgot to look. We were directed up to
the top balcony, and couldn't find a seat, but could see lots of seats
on the lower levels. As we looked for a seat we overheard some young
folks talking to a security guard who pointed them to a door and said,
"If you go out that door and hurry, you might be able to get there."
So we followed them. We ended up in the front row of the mid-level
balcony facing the podium.

It was in the Center that I realized that my camera was set on
black and white. I have now proven to you that I am clearly from
the demographic that stereotypically is in the Clinton camp.
(But I think it turned out kind of cool,it's like the Wizard of Oz,
where the movie all of a sudden turns to color.)

It was amazing. The music played. Everyone was smiling. Kids were
laughing. Lots of Obama tshirts (The street venders must have done
very well.) Old folks, young folks, white, black, Asian, American
Indian, labor, education, college students. About 9 we saw a woman
with a big white sign walk in front of the press area, it said,
"5 minutes to speeches." And in about 5 minutes the speeches began.

I didn't know the person who was introducing him, but she did a
wonderful job. She has a son serving in Iraq who was supposed be done
with his enlistment, but then was called up and has to serve
4 more months. She got wonderful applause.

Then out walked Michelle and Barack. The electricity was shooting
throughout the room, everyone is screaming and clapping and smiling
and celebrating. Barack has the biggest smile on his face. He can't
stop smiling, and neither can anyone in that building---except the secret service.

He immediately declares that he is the nominee and everyone
yells some more. He dedicates the night to his grandmother and
tears come to my eyes. Barack says nice things about Senator Clinton
and everyone yells some more, no booing at all. Minnesota Nice wins out!

You heard the speech, I don't need to repeat it, but it was so great
to be there and be part of history. YES WE CAN!

At the end, it was several minutes before anyone started to leave.
Barack and Michelle walked around the entire stage shaking hands
and hugging people, Barack seemed to disappear into the crowd at
points, I'm sure the SS was nervous about that.

We left and went back to the top of the parking ramp. There was
no hurry, we weren't getting out any time soon. My niece took
pictures of the city. We watched the bad drivers and critiqued them.
ome students started playing with a soccer ball. One young woman came
up and asked what floor we thought was moving. I told her we needed to
send out a scout. She went down the steps and then came back and told us t
hat the 3rd floor was moving, the 4th floor looked really stressed, and
that the 5th floor (us) was relaxed and enjoying the evening.

What a wonderful night. What a wonderful candidate. I am so glad I went.
If anyone ever has a chance to attend an event like this, don't pass it up.