Barack Obama in Newport News Saturday [UPDATE: 18,000 people watch Obama hit McCain on healthcare]

By: Lowell
Published On: 10/1/2008 11:20:58 PM

Pretty cool, Obama's sixth trip to Virginia since he clinched the Democratic nomination for president!

Barack Obama to Hold Change We Need Rally in Newport News Saturday

RICHMOND, Va. - U.S. Sen. Barack Obama will hold a Change We Need rally Saturday at Victory Landing Park. It's Obama's sixth trip to the commonwealth since the end of the primary campaign.

In Newport News, he will lay out his plans to jump start the economy, create good-paying jobs, and cut taxes for Virginia's middle class families.

This event is free and open to the public, though an RSVP is encouraged. To RSVP, please visit http://va.barackobama.com/NewportNewsChange

Details of the event below:

UPDATE: Tim Craig has a report:

With the USS O'Kane as a backdrop, Obama unveiled a new blistering attack on Arizona Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) health care policies. It will be Obama's first big rally in Hampton Roads, a key swing area in the election, since February, when he drew 18,000 to Virginia Beach. There were also an estimated 18,000 people at today's event.

"This isn't politics for me, this is personal," Obama said, referring to his late mother. "I know something about our broken health care system." He later added, "everyone knows the health care system is not working...The question is not whether we can afford to fix health care. The question is how can we afford not to?"

Obama said McCain wants to tax existing health plans. "John McCain is pulling an old bait and switch," Obama said.


SAT, OCT. 4, 2008
Newport News, VA

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA

Victory Landing Park
23rd St. at the James River
Newport News, VA 23607
Public Entrance: 23rd St. and Harbor Rd.

There will be no access to 23rd St from West Ave.  Please use Huntington Rd.

Equipment set: 9:00 AM (Equipment must be set by 9:00 AM; media will not have access to their equipment from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM.)

Media Access: 9:30 AM
Doors Open: 10:30 AM

Program Begins: 12:30 PM (Program start time is for planning purposes only, not for publication or broadcast.)

Comments



Great event! (Eileen Levandoski - 10/4/2008 3:27:11 PM)
Sophie (my 14-year-old young Dem who's already logged in over 20 hours phonebanking and canvassing) and I just got home.  It was great! Glenn Nye spoke, as did Bobby Scott.

Here's something Obama pointed out about McSame's healthcare plan. If you make $40,000/yr. and your employer pays $10,000/yr. for your health insurance, you get taxed as earning $50,000/yr.!  Unbelievable!

 



So when did Obama actually speak? (Johnny Longtorso - 10/4/2008 3:32:52 PM)
My boyfriend and I went, but after four hours in the sun, we couldn't take any more and went home.


About 1:10 (Great Blue - 10/4/2008 8:29:21 PM)
and finished by 2:00.


Photo gallery from the event (Lowell - 10/4/2008 5:07:38 PM)
here.


should get this up on DKOS (chiefsjen - 10/4/2008 9:44:02 PM)
i waited all day to see pics from the event -- it's one of my favorite parts of the campaign season :)


The USS Kane as a backdrop? NO. (lgb30856 - 10/4/2008 7:03:40 PM)
Actually the Vascic bldg named the Bateman Bldg after former Congressman Herb Bateman.

My husband works there as an engineer for Northrop Grumman.  A great backdrop.



Note to campaign event organizers: (Johnny Longtorso - 10/4/2008 9:46:04 PM)
18,000 people + 80 degree weather + not allowing people to bring in water = bad idea.


Free water (legacyofmarshall - 10/5/2008 9:23:14 AM)
The cops gave out thousands of bottles of water.  There were complaints, but in the end anyone who needed it got it.

PS - you really think campaign organizers have the right to tell the secret service that people have the right to bring in water?  100% not up to the campaign.