Obama in Springfield, MO a late report with PICS

[GrizzlyMan]

My wife and I drove up from Oklahoma to see Obama for the first time in person.

We got to Springfield at about 4 p.m. and took our place at the back of the line, knowing the wait would be loooooong. But guess what, it was fun! We talked with fellow Dems and spent a lot of time watching people. Being from such a red state, it was inspirational being around so many fellow Dems. It was a huge energy burst that I needed before game time.

The line to get into the stadium snaked through a residential neighborhood and out onto Sunshine St. and all the way down to the Kansas Expressway (or something like that, I'm not from Springfield so I don't know the streets very well). At any rate I'd estimate it was at least a mile long, maybe a 1.5.

There were a few random McSame supporters including a family -- 2 boys and 2 parents -- walking up and down the street with "Drill Baby Drill" signs and another about abortion. Later an older gentlemen walked the line with the obligatory "Obama is a socialist" sign.

Even though the crowd was huge, it was well organized. There were Obama volunteers walking the entire length of the line passing on updates and assuring us we would get in. Finally the gates opened. The TSA was there with about 10-12 metal detectors.

Fortunately we got there early enough to get a good spot on the field. The stage was set up in the end zone and we were on the 30-yard line. The crowd eventually took up the entire field and the bleachers and stretched all the way onto the track and on the far end of the field. I couldn't believe it.

After about an hour waiting the folks in the bleachers let off a huge cheer and the entire crowd on the field turned around to see flashing police lights. The MAN had arrived and I got goose bumps.

Sen. Claire McCaskill introduced Michelle. Michelle was much taller than I thought and a very eloquent speaker. Then it was finally time for Barack to take the stage. My ear drums are still ringing from the cheers. He more or less gave his standard stump speech but I was mesmerized with a huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

Like I said, as a lifer in a red state I lack the words to express what this night meant to me.

He spoke for about 30 minutes but it seemed like five it went by too quick. I could have listened to him talk all night. When it was over we began the long walk to our car with smiles on our faces and hope on our minds.

The crowd gathers.
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Looking back from our spot
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Michelle spoke first. What can I say, she drips with CLASS
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Candy Crowley takes her spot next to the rest of the right wing media
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Barack makes a point
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The crowd files out in Springfield
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[tabatha]

1. Thanks for that great story.

Obama is one of the few politicians I can listen to over and over again.

[nevergiveup]

2. Thanks for the report and pictures

I have never been to an Obama rally and really appreciate these personal reports especially when they are from my home state of Missouri.

[woolldog]

3. Nice pics

[GrizzlyMan]

4. Thanks for doing that.

I didn't know why they only displayed the URLs but I appreciate you for making it easier for folks to see.

[woolldog]

6. just get rid of all the text after the "g" in jpg in your link

[mecherosegarden]

5. Thanks for sharing!

Very nice pictures, and your story too !

[Pithy]

7. As a fellow Okie

I can completely sympathize with how liberating it must have felt to be surrounded by something other than closed-minded Freepers. How awesome that you got to go be a part of history - I'm happy for you!

[Marlana]

8. I was there, too!

Judging from the angle of your pictures, we were standing pretty close on the field, too. I was near the 30 yard line.

Here's what I saw waiting in line, they were right behind me:


Jay Nixon, our future governor:


Claire McCaskill:


I have a lot more, with pictures of Barack and Michelle Obama, too, on my Flickr page.

[PresidentObama]

9. I was there, too. 40,000 in SOUTWEST MISSOURI. Incredibly inspiring.

Yes We Can!

[rebel with a cause]

10. I am so glad that all you DUers got to go and enjoy the rally today.

It is a shame you guys did not know that the others were there. You could have formed you own little DU cheering session. :woohoo:

We live in an area of Illinois that sometimes seems just as red as Missouri and Kentucky, so I know how you feel. We drove down the road tonight and actually saw an Obama sign at the side of the road. It was dark and no one around, except for the car passing us, and I started woohooing and clapping. My daughter said "We have got to find a way to get out of here. We are just too isolated here." If mccain steals it Tuesday, I don't know what we will do. It will be crazy here.

[aroach]

11. I was there too. n/t

[rebel with a cause]

12. Great!!

:hi: