Brian Patton reported on his Twitter feed about 35 minutes ago, "Ralph Stanley just endorsed Sen. Obama!" I would say that "rocks," except of course Ralph Stanley happens to be a legendary American bluegrass banjo player. :)
UPDATE: Brian also reports, "Waiting in line with Jon Bowerbank for him to go back for a meeting with Sen. Obama!!!"
UPDATE #2: Brian tweets, "Cecil Roberts is on stage now and no one is using their seats!" Cecil Roberts is president of the United Mine Workers, "a sixth-generation coal miner and one of the labor movement's most stirring orators."
UPDATE #3: Brian tweets, "Congressman Rick Boucher is on now....crowd going wild."
UPDATE #4: Brian tweets, "Sen. Obama now on stage and just shed his coat so "we can get down to some work."
UPDATE #5 by Brian Patton
I have just made it home from the incredible Obama event in Lebanon. This has been a very long, but fantastic day!
This event will always be known and go down in history for one thing: tickets. There were 3,000 tickets printed and I suspect everyone figured that would be enough, or at least close to enough. What happened, however, was a phenomenal demand and hunger for tickets that could not be accommodated.
What this shows us, though, is that people are extremely energized about Obama in the far Southwest. I think this is a great sign for Obama in Virginia.
The event went extremely well and I believe everyone who attended was impressed. The local staff members, under the leadership of Nick Buis, did an excellent job of getting people in and out of the venue.
As Congressman Boucher said today, the fact that Obama has been to Southwest twice in less than three months (Bristol and Lebanon) shows how important Virginia, and specifically Southwest Virignia, is to his campaign.
hehehe the times they are a'changin'!
and what a fun and exciting looking event -- thanks for these stories -- we need them to keep us going!
I was joking, sort of, about the film camera, but it is rare to see them nowadays for everyday snapshots, etc.
I was present at Lebanon High School today for the Obama rally/town hall meeting. It was fantastic to be in the room with so much energy. Lots of UMWA support. Lots of talk about coal sequestration research technology. Lots of appeal for Obama's economic message. There were 2,000 tickets distributed and every one of them was there. The gymnasium was absolutely stifling it was so hot with all the body heat. Before Obama could finish, many folks in the upper bleachers had to walk down to where it was cooler. This is the second trip Obama has made to VA-9 since clinching the primary. He did a great job firing up the crowd and people left very encouraged about our prospects in what is supposed to be the red end of the state. The best part was when I pulled out to leave and there were two McCain "protesters" waving signs and generally looking unhappy. The local FOX affiliate couldn't manage to pass them by and will be doing an entire feature on them at 11:00. Typical.