the potential next president of the usa: barack obama (photo by jerone anderson)it's been a warm, sunny day -- a perfect november second for obama's outside rally in front of the state house in columbus, ohio's capital and geographical center. two days before the election we thought this is as close as barack obama would ever get to athens, elected or not, when we read in an information e-mail about the event. so sunday noon we headed north to get a glimpse of what is often referred to as a historic moment.
yes, the rally was exciting but also featured elements of a deja-vu: obama's voice and face were so familiar because of daily media exposure and consumption that it was surreal to see him and his wife for real, somewhat normal and familiar, but also somewhat great and goose bumpy to know that this is not a face on the screen but the actual person about 45 feet (15m) away.
the information e-mail said the rally would start at 1pm but it took about twenty minutes longer bringing the huge crowd -- i dare no estimate except at least several thousand -- to frequent obama chants and waving of obama signs. we missed some of the speakers because we didn't make it downtown until around 12:20pm. another ten minutes went into looping around the blocks to find parking. five minutes walking time from the epicenter of columbus' political happening, we found a pretty empty parking lot charging only a $5 flat rate.
this unusual truck showed us the way to the state house
yes, the rally was exciting but also featured elements of a deja-vu: obama's voice and face were so familiar because of daily media exposure and consumption that it was surreal to see him and his wife for real, somewhat normal and familiar, but also somewhat great and goose bumpy to know that this is not a face on the screen but the actual person about 45 feet (15m) away.
the information e-mail said the rally would start at 1pm but it took about twenty minutes longer bringing the huge crowd -- i dare no estimate except at least several thousand -- to frequent obama chants and waving of obama signs. we missed some of the speakers because we didn't make it downtown until around 12:20pm. another ten minutes went into looping around the blocks to find parking. five minutes walking time from the epicenter of columbus' political happening, we found a pretty empty parking lot charging only a $5 flat rate.
this unusual truck showed us the way to the state house
just to remind everyone where we were: o-h-i-o and one of the biggest flags i've ever seen (photo by jerone anderson)
two sets of snipers hovered left and ride on the roof of the state house screening the area with binoculars (photo by jerone anderson)
the backdrop for the stage was a puzzle of blue and white signs held by young and old, white and black, teamsters and students (photo by jerone anderson)the crowd chanted o-ba-ma to entice the candidate to come out...
... after a while of music including aretha franklin's respect and some u2 tunes, michelle obama merrily bounced down the stairs in a bright yellow jacket and marine blue pants.
michelle obama: "my husband believes he can do everything" (photo by jerone anderson)
after greeting some people along the front lines she went on stage: "yes, we can....oh my godness...columbus... it's good to be back, it's good to be here. two more days, can you believe it? it's been a long journey and an amazing journey for us. to see the sea of people and to think about where we've come from over the last 21 months. and you look around and see faces, all kinds of faces. you see young people who are finding their voice, finding their passion deciding that for the first time in their lives to get involved in politics. it's been amazing to see their growth."
... after a while of music including aretha franklin's respect and some u2 tunes, michelle obama merrily bounced down the stairs in a bright yellow jacket and marine blue pants.
michelle obama: "my husband believes he can do everything" (photo by jerone anderson)after greeting some people along the front lines she went on stage: "yes, we can....oh my godness...columbus... it's good to be back, it's good to be here. two more days, can you believe it? it's been a long journey and an amazing journey for us. to see the sea of people and to think about where we've come from over the last 21 months. and you look around and see faces, all kinds of faces. you see young people who are finding their voice, finding their passion deciding that for the first time in their lives to get involved in politics. it's been amazing to see their growth."
after her introduction she talked about the older faces in the crowd, people who she said never thought this moment would come and the qualities of her husband (honesty, he thinks he can achieve everything) she introduced the same. of course the crowd roared when he walked downstairs, with one daughter at each hand -- a simple and effective image, but the wee ones were quickly handed over to his wife when they arrived at the podium.
surprisingly barack obama brought his two daughters briefly onto the stage only for them to be herded off by their mom (photo by jerone anderson)
the epitome of a core family on display: for about twenty seconds barack obama, his two daughters, and his wife smile and wave together at the crowd (photo by jerone anderson)
obama's speech was quite familiar; elements of the debates where rehashed: the economy. 95% of americans won't be touched by his tax plan, health care no matter if preconditions, leaving iraq, investing in green energy, mccain equaling bush and the importance of uniting the country: democrats, republicans, young, old, straight, gay, disabled, not disabled, white, black, asian, native american, latino. the inclusiveness of his address was something that particularly stuck in my mind and was acknowledged by the crowd with applause.he spoke for what felt like thirty to forty minutes, from time to time interrupted by "yes we can" and "obama" chants. we left when he started leaving the stage to avoid getting stuck in the moving masses. around the state house...
...several groups tried to sell obama t-shirts... 
... each $5...
...but many were already decorated, all fired up and ready to go, even the wee ones.
back at the parking lot another obamanized vehicle surfaced. it seems that voting rights have been extended to vans. 
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2 comments:
His grandmother past away today. I believe she is already proud of the legacy Obama will leave behind and the history he has made. But now she can find rest within her soul.
It is a tragedy that she was not able to hold on another 24 hours to witness her grandson's big victory. His relatives in Kenya though celebrated him with a family party. In a video clip of CNN his step grandmother said she was so busy organizing the gathering too be excited but when he gave his victory speech she said she realized: 'Wait a minute, this is big' and was happy. Kenya itself even declared today a public holiday for the whole country.
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