Obama Draws Large in Virginia Beach

By: dsvabeachdems
Published On: 2/10/2008 11:41:27 PM

Even the very youngA large and enthusiastic crowd greeted Senator Obama and his entourage in Virginia Beach this evening. Some 3000 were lined up to enter the Virginia Beach Pavilion by 5:30 PM. Eventually over 6000 (estimate provided by a local law enforcement official) cheered Governor Kaine and the candidate. This may be the bell whether for Tuesday in Virginia.This was an impressive event for anyone familiar with politics in Virginia Beach. Here smack in the middle of Bob Purkey's district was the largest political gathering in recent times. And it was for a Democrat. A Democrat who had just won in Maine a day after stunning victories across the country.

Waiting in a line of supportersThere were supporters from as far away as Blacksburg who had driven down to their hometown to show support and are returning tonight to be able to attend a rally there tomorrow. Shown here are supporters from Richmond including the youngest in the crowd. New to Virginia, they had missed the JJ Dinner last night, but wanted to see and hear the candidate themselves. Young Gabriel did not miss the opportunity to join in when the cheering began.  
Obama addresses Virginia Beach

Comments



the NYT is reporting 18,000 (DanG - 2/11/2008 1:35:58 AM)
the NYT is reporting that 18,000 were in attendance.

Wish I could've been there.  Virginia Beach is my home.



It was a truly amazing event. (spotter - 2/11/2008 6:39:38 AM)
Thousands and thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds, enthusiastic and fired up, descended on the VB Convention Center for the opportunity to see and support Barack Obama.  The people around me hung on his every word.  All in red, red Virginia Beach.

Time for a change.



I was there too (proudvadem - 2/11/2008 10:31:09 AM)
WOW!! I have NEVER, EVER seen anything like it....It was like a cross between a U2 show and a revival.
The energy was incredible. I waited for over an hour and a half in the wind and the line was wrapped around the block. The people in line were so happy to be there, no one cared about the wind.

I never dreamed there would be a Democrat who could draw people in like this. And this is VA BEACH- Pat Robertson's playground.

I don't know if I'll ever see anything like this again in my lifetime. This movement gives me hope and makes me want to get back involved in politics again (I really burned out).

Obama struck a chord and I saw tears in many peoples eyes. There was a sense of unity that is amazing.
YES WE CAN Virginia!!!
Now let's GOTV like crazy and drag everyone we know to the polls on Tues.



Electrifying! (elevandoski - 2/11/2008 10:49:43 AM)
Although my feet would disagree, second best to hearing Obama speak was the standing in line and being part of the huge, HUGE, HUGE!!! numbers there. It was exciting and it completely restores my faith in the power of the people!