RK co-founder Eric and his wife, Marna, are on the scene at UMW in Fredericksburg and (hopefully) will be sending in reports over the next couple of hours. So far, Eric says there are extremely long lines to get into the event, which is sponsored by the UMW Young Democrats and being held at Ball Circle. The program begins at 5:15 pm. A trooper told Marna that there could be 30,000 people there (that sounds too high to me, but we'll see), he wasn't sure. Anyway, we'll see what else Eric reports. Meanwhile, here are some photos (after the "flip").
UPDATE 4:43 pm: Eric ran into James Martin, who says this looks like the Denver speech crowd. Also, the crowd is "very diverse," in stark contrast the usual Republican crowd at McCain-Palin rallies.
UPDATE 4:45 pm: There are lots of volunteers registering voters while people waited in line. One volunteer says they were told to expect 10,000+ people.
UPDATE 4:50 pm: The Secret Service sniper team came through a few minutes ago, apparently setting up.
UPDATE 4:59 pm: Eric reports, "they had to stop letting people in while they move people to make more room." Also, "there are ten metal detectors for the main crowd plus one for press."
UPDATE 5:05 pm: "A few people with 'staff' badges just passed by." (note Eric and Marna are there as "press")
UPDATE 5:23 pm: "We have thunder & lightning." Uh oh.
UPDATE 5:36 pm: Eric reports, "pouring rain but crowd in good spirits." Also, "crowd is chanting yes we can!"
UPDATE 6:16 pm: Looks like there was a bit of a rain delay, but things seem to be starting up again. Eric and Marna say, "rain has stopped and we've had a few ancillary speakers...another break in the action now."
UPDATE 6:31 pm: They're setting up Barack Obama's podium and prompter now.
UPDATE 6:56 pm: Finally!!! The "traveling press coming in now... they're here, a fleet of police cars pulled up."
UPDATE 7:05 pm: The "crowd estimate from police chief is 12k inside the circle and another 14k outside." "Here we go."
UPDATE 7:11 pm: Joe Biden speaking - "John McCain is wrong." "Barack and I will end this war in Iraq!" (huge cheer) McCain doesn't understand where central front in war on terror is (Afghanistan/Pakistan, not Baghdad). "Barack Obama has been right and John McCain is wrong, it's a matter of judgment." "We need a wise leader, and that man is Barack Obama." "It is about judgment" on foreign policy and the economy. McCain is "woefully out of touch," one minute says the "fundamentals of our economy are strong," then says we are in a great economic crisis. Does not instill confidence when someone changes their position so frequently like John McCain does. "Where was John McCain a week ago...a month ago...5 years ago...tethered to George Bush's economic policies, lack of oversight...deregulation of everything." Now he expects us to believe that he's a maverick regulator. "That's what we Catholics call an epiphany." We need "wholesale change" from economic policies of Bush and McCain. "Middle class under siege." "Last night, John McCain's silence was deafening." Didn't mention the middle class "one single time...not once." "Ladies and Gentlemen, the next Commander in Chief, Barack Obama!"
UPDATE 7:17 pm: Obama's speaking. "It is a thrill to be here back in Virginia...turn Virginia blue this time!" "I'm so grateful to all of you." Also grateful to the person who's going to be one of the greatest Vice Presidents in the history of the United States - Joe Biden." (crowd chants "Joe Joe Joe Joe!!") "We meet here at a time of great uncertainty in America...a defining moment." "Most serious financial crisis we've faced since the Great Depression." They've trampled on our core values of fairness, responsibility for one another. Home values falling, record foreclosures, your paycheck doesn't go as far as it used to, never been harder to save or retire, people losing jobs, the "precious dream" is slipping away. "We stand on the soldiers of previous generations." "Those who fought...those who marched..." We don't begrudge those who are wealthy, we want people to succeed, but we want everyone to succeed. We want America to be a land where I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper. McCain is making the case for more of the same policies that got us into this mess. He talked about the economy for 40 minutes and not once talked about struggles middle class families are facing. Defended his plan to give huge tax cuts to wealthy corporations, but nothing about jobs shipped overseas. John McCain had nothing to say about more Americans who can't afford college, health care. Talked about spending $10 billion per month in Iraq, but nothing about ending the war or rebuilding America. In the debate, "John McCain had a lot to say about me, but he had nothing to say about you." Sen. McCain "just doesn't get it," that this crisis hit Main Street a long time ago. He thinks the "fundamentals of the economy are strong." (feed cut out at this point...waiting)
UPDATE 7:41 pm: Feed is back. Obama talking about clean, affordable, renewable energy. Give every child a world class education. Recruit an army of good teachers. Invest in early childhood education to close achievement gap. Don't always be "teaching to the test." If you serve your country, invest in something larger than yourself, then we will invest in you...guarantee a college education without huge debt. (crowd chants "Obama Obama Obama!") "This is the kind of change we need." Bottom up growth, innovation, advance the American economy. "This won't be easy." "The storm hasn't quite passed yet." Sometime the sky's cloudy, you think the rains will never pass, but as long we're all together...[argh, feed cuts out again]
UPDATE 7:46 pm: The speech is over, "Signed Sealed Delivered" is playing. Eric and Marna are tired but happy, heading back to Fairfax up 95...
and when is raising kaine going to start twittering. get on it lowell! :)
I look forward to Thursday night. I suspect the poor moose in Alaska will have it all taken out on them sometime in mid-November.
My two year old even chimed in when the chant "O-BAM-A" was going through the crowds. He clapped too.
It was wet. It was hard to hear everything. It was very hard to get a good view of the stage, but I am very glad I went.
I ended up getting tons of loot- incl. stickers, round signs, and posters for the Warrenton office.
2) Tie in with some local environmental group and put out something for plastic bottle recycling.
great rally in spite of the weather!
I was in that trong. It was miserable at points. But everyone agreed it was worth it.
Did you see the Anti-Abortionist people?