I was at the Obama-Biden rally in Dublin, Ohio today.

[OhioBlue]

It was incredible. A beautiful crowd and a beautiful day.

The speakers were all very good. Senator Sherrod Brown, Governor Ted Strickland, former Senator John Glenn and of course Senators Biden and Senator Obama.

The speeches were good. A lot of stump speech stuff and things we heard at the convention. Sherrod was especially good. I did really want to share a story with you tho that touched my heart.

I was quite a ways away from the stage - at an angle along the barricade fence thing (a couple of people back). During Barack's speech, I saw two black women come up toward us. One elderly lady in a wheel chair and a younger woman, probably her daughter or granddaughter. They stopped about 3 people away from me. The younger one asked the lady in the wheel chair if she could see anything. She replied (in the sweetest, gentlest, little old lady voice) "No, but I don't think we can get any closer. I don't need to see him tho. I can hear him". Then she smiled.

I tapped the shoulder of the guy in front of me and asked him to move back a bit. He did. The lady got a little closer. Then another person moved. then a lady that was standing at the barricade (a middle-aged, tiny white woman of about 85 lbs.) saw her trying to get through, moved back, grabbed the wheel chair and positioned her so that she had the best view possible in that location. The younger woman with the lady in the wheel chair thanked her. The lady by the fence put her hand on the back on the younger woman. Kind of an unspoken, you're welcome. The younger lady seemed to have a tear in her eye. She just stood by her mom or grandma and lovingly stroked her gray hair that was neatly pulled back into a bun.

I was just so touched at that moment. It was like the little group of about 5 strangers that saw her in the wheel chair thought the same thing. We wanted her to be able to see him. Not just hear him. We wanted her to be able to see him.

Okay.... one more touching moment. As we left, we were blocked by secret service until the motorcade left. We probably waited a good 45 minutes. A friend and I witnessed a little elderly, white couple walking out of the stadium. They were at least in their mid-80s. She was walking with a cane. He was holding onto her arm, trying to help her, while we could see he was bent over and not handling the walk very well himself. She kept having to stop about every 4 or 5 steps. She waited by a tree while he walked up to the barricades to see what was going on. We were blocked from them by a row of bushes - but I kept looking back toward them, b/c I was hoping I could find a place for them to sit and try to find a way over to them. I looked back again, and there was a young black man with a chair, helping the lady to sit down in it. I just smiled.

I know random acts of kindness happen all the time, everywhere. These two little event just happened so quickly and like people were just thinking the same thing.

It was a great day.

[Muttocracy]

1. I love the field reports best of all! nt

[FrenchieCat]

2. Beautiful!

[eshfemme]

3. Wow, I love these little stories. They're so heartwarming.

It's so good that Obama's campaign always elicits such good feelings. It's why I react so viscerally when I just hear all the nastiness coming out of the McCain camp. So much of a contrast!

[OhioBlue]

8. yes. A huge contrast. n/t

[gateley]

4. I think the feeling of being ONE at these rallies brings out the best in people.

I would love to see that cooperation, kindness and generosity spread across the nation.

Thank you for these touching stories. I'm happy you were able participate and witness them.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear OhioBlue...

I wish I could have been there, and seen it...

What a great story you've told here tonight...

K&R

:patriot:

[OhioBlue]

11. thank you Peggy.

It was incredible. Sherrod highlighted how he and Ted voted against the war in '02 and how Barack was against it. He also highlighted how in the first major judgment call of their possible presidency, Barack chose a qualified statesman, someone who he trusts and knows. Someone who he has confidence in to step up should the need arise. McCain chose someone who just 2 years ago boasted on her resume the position of Mayor of a village of under 6k and now is the Governor of a State that has half the population of Franklin County.

John Glenn had a good line. He talked about how he was friends with McCain. How he was grateful for McCain service and how McCain endured things that John Glenn wasn't sure he could handle. He said for that we owe him our respect (or gratitude), but that does not mean that we owe him our vote. He delivered it better than it probably reads.

[Emit]

6. This is such a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. Very touching.

[democrat2thecore]

7. A 'Liberty Mutual' Story in there - that's nice. -nt

[parabolabear]

9. ahh...

how nice it is to hear reports of things like this happening on hot days at a crowded event where it's just as likely that someone get cranky, instead!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. Welcome to DU!

I hope you'll have a great time in our crazy, very addictive little village!

:hi:

[OhioBlue]

17. yes. and it was very crowded.

We got there about an hour before the event started - luckily we had preferred tickets (from our field organizer for volunteers) We were also lucky to find a parking spot that wasn't too far away. A State trooper first told us (when we were stopped in traffic) that there were no parking spots left anywhere close as they had been filled for 3 hours.

The line wrapped around the practice field at least 5 times. People had to walk a long ways and wait a long time. And yet... I felt nothing but positive energy in the stadium. Chants of "yes we can" broke out several times.

I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. I could have seen the speeches on TV, but never could have participated in this gathering of patriotic citizens that came together to support and work for progress.

[ClayZ]

10. Great Post! Thank you! K and R

[Bobbie Jo]

12. Thanks for that.

K&R :hi:

[goodgd_yall]

13. Thank you, OhioBlue

There's so much crap on GDP right now (IMHO). I'm glad I came across your post. And with that, I'm signing off for the night. :hi:

[hey hey]

14. How did the person who fainted do?

Hey my dad died this year but he would have been at any Rally like that in my hometown. I took him to see Kerry/edwards in '04. He could barely walk but had to see them. He was 85. People at these things especially Dem events are really nice.. they "get it"... and really respect when someone from a generation gone buy gets it too ... Someone got us a wheelchair too.. another man gave up a row seat for me to sit next to my dad... He was so excited to be there and I know he would have been even more excited now giving the historical significance of this election..My dad was deeply diappointed over the past 7 1/2 years... he said even though he had lived through many wars, watergate, political scandals and assasinations he could only for the first time in his life say he was ashamed of his country when we invaded Iraq... He was sick and suffering so he is at peace... but I wish he would have left us knowing <i> change </i> was finally here in such a profound way...

Hey how did the person who fainted do..? I saw the rally on YV Obama gave them his water when they fainted...

[OhioBlue]

20. I'm so sorry about your dad.

:hug:

He sounds like and amazing and wonderful person. I had such admiration and respect for the elderly couple that could barely walk, but must have decided that they needed to be a part of this. I also was impressed by all of the parents and grandparents that brought little ones. I saw many strollers and babies in slings/carriers. Personally, I probably would not have gone had I not been able to get a sitter. They didn't let that stop them tho. It was such a wonderfully diverse crowd - every age, race, religion, income bracket, etc.

I don't know how the person is that fainted. That was actually the second person that needed medical attention. When Sherrod spoke, he stopped his speech to call out for EMT b/c someone had fainted. He then pointed out to the person that they would be okay. It was good people attending to them - public servants and union members. :-) leave it to Sherrod....

And then, yes... When Barack spoke, another person fainted. He called for EMT and asked the crowd to give them some space. He also asked if anyone had water and then said... hey... I have water and tossed a bottle of water to someone near the person that wasn't feeling well. They must have been okay b/c Barack told the crowd that they would be okay and seemed like they must have been sitting up at that point.

I'm not surprised. It was a hot day and people had been there for hours.

[Breeze54]

15. It looked like a huge turnout on TV... how many were there?

Great post! Thanks for the eyewitness reporting!! :D

:kick: & Recommended!

[OhioBlue]

22. Press estimates are 20k

I would guess more... but I'm not very good at crowd estimates. The stadium seats were full and the people standing shoulder to shoulder occupied over half the football field and surrounding areas. (end zone, track, etc.)

[MagickMuffin]

18. I got to see a portion of the rally.

MSNBC was covering it, but they cut away, even tho Obama was still talking:grr:

Thank you for your report. I believe the reason Obama inspires so many people is because he brings out the best in people. He has shown that he truly CARES for people of ALL colors. He is an inspiration to so many, I'm so proud of this fact. It was indeed heartwarming to hear about his community service work, that he chose to do. Mad king Boy George was FORCED into doing community service. Who knows if McCain has EVER done any!

I'm glad you got to attend and see the best acts of humanity on display.:applause:

[vegansrule]

19. Gr8 for your state....the next Prez and the Buckeyes win...just one question though...

How are things looking in Ohio? I mean, in terms of our ground team? I think that's whats gonna do it. That and fighting republican voter fraud.

Glad to see Gov. Strickland involved!

[OhioBlue]

21. Ground team.... unfreakin' beleivable!

There has never... and I mean NEVER been a campaign that has poured such grass-roots resources into this State. We have paid staff in every county. We had volunteers phone banking and canvassing this weekend... still August... on a level that probably has already trumped everything we did in this little county in '06 for Ted and Sherrod.

We have people volunteering that have never even come to a Democratic spaghetti supper before.

As far as voter fraud... have confidence in Ohio. I helped get Jennifer Brunner (D) elected as Secretary of State in '06. She is an incredible, intelligent, highly-competent woman. She has our back.

[madmax]

23. The Obama effect

:cry:

C'mon people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

[scarletwoman]

24. Thank you so much for a beautiful and inspiring story! rec'd!

Such a refreshing contrast to so much of the other crap in GDP today.

[OhioBlue]

27. oh.. thank you!

It was a great day.

I spoke to a little girl that went to the event. She has a cast on her foot and Obama signed it. She was soooo exited and she is the cutest little thing. We were making signs for the parade tomorrow. I overheard her talking to another little girl. She said, "I wish I could be friends with Obama's daughter. It would be fun to play hide and seek in the White House." How cute is that?

I actually know (or have now met) several children that are just sooo excited about Barack Obama. It is the most precious thing. A little 3 year old came up to me and asked me, "fired up?" I simply replied "Ready to go". He just smiled.

[scarletwoman]

29. Oh wow! Young children have amazing radar for good vibes, it doesn't surprise me at all that they

love Obama. And it's THEIR futures that are most on the line by the outcome of this November.

Thank you again for such wonderful anecdotes! :yourock:

sw

[SeattleGirl]

25. Your post brought tears to my eyes.

I am so tired of the "cowboy mentality" that has been on display for 8 years in this country. To finally have a candidate who inspires people like this just touches my heart.

[OhioBlue]

26. mine too. I'm so glad I went to the event.

As I said before, I probably could have had a better view and listening experience if I watched on TV b/c I was so far away, but I never would have been able to experience the people. That is what was the most impressive to me. The crowd was wonderful... just wonderful.

[jillan]

28. kickin because I would much rather read about Obama/Biden than about that woman.