Photos from the rally (wumpiewoo - 11/4/2008 1:01:44 PM)
Pictures Updating throughout the night and tomorrow
My mother is near the same age as Obama... caught in between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Myself am caught in between Generation X and the Millennials, a group awakening politically truly for the first time. Two bookends, two different generations, representing two different ideologues: my mother is a staunch Democrat, whereas I am a staunch Moderate. My mother doesn't carry a cell phone with her at all times, whereas I don't have a land line, and haven't used one since college. I broadcast my thoughts and my life online, whereas my mother is very careful about the information that is put on the internet. I sometimes seem very conservative to my mother at times, and I... well... she is right... I am more conservative than her in certain aspects. It leads to some interesting conversations.
But with Obama... we are on the same page.
On June 5, 2008, I stood in the warm sun to see Obama at the Nissan Pavilion in Northern Virginia.
On September 27, 2008, I stood 8 hours... at times in a downpour to see Obama in Fredericksburg, VA.
On October 23, 2008, I stood on a brisk fall day to see Obama once again in Leesburg, VA, in a new perspective; As part of the media group.
Now, on November 3, 2008, Barack Obama is having his final rally before the election. Here, in Manassas Park, Virginia, I stood amongst the throng of supporters who have already voted, who will vote, who have volunteered, who have given money, who have supported Obama from the beginning, to people who began supporting him after the primary, to people who just want to be there to experience the moment.
In between these dates... almost 21 months have elapsed, 500 million dollars spent, and 49 States visited by Barack Obama. To say that the 2008 election was a soap opera unfolding in the world's eye is a understatement; The implosion of the Republican front runners, the resurgent of an old war hero to take the nomination, Iowa, the tear that shook the election, New Hampshire, South Carolina, The "ignore everything but Florida" plan implosion, Super Tuesday, the 10 State Sweep, "3 AM", The Texas two step split, the six week battle for Pennsylvania, Rev. Wright, 75,000 in Oregon, Indiana and North Carolina, the kitchen sink, the Credentials battle for Michigan and Florida, South Dakota and Montana pushing an unlikely Candidate over the threshold on a warm June evening, and McCain on a Green Screen.
And that is only 16 months worth...
Then came the Iowa Floods, The Trip, Berlin, "Celebrity", the Paris Hilton response, Ayers, tim russert's Death, Teddy Kennedy's reappearance on the national stage, will Hillary support Obama?, Ivesco Field, Sarah Palin, Hurricane Ike, Bush being regulated to 8 minutes via Satellite, The financial collapse, angry McCain/Palin crowds, the Debates, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, the introduction of "Joe the Plumber" into the country's lexicon, redefining the kitchen sink to include the whole house, Colin Powell, Rachel Maddow, 30 minutes infomercial for Barack Obama, the specter of socialism, "The Redistributer" a second battle for Pennsylvania, and trying to break the GOP hold of "The South."
It comes down to tomorrow... election day.
But tonight, in the fields where North faced South 147 years ago, Barack Obama gave his final pitch to the American people. Say what you will, but the man has a flair for the dramatic and has the presence of mind to use his surroundings to make a point.
On Wednesday, millions of people will go to work, get on their computers, and realize that there are no more polls, no more predictions, only post mortems on the election, and a sense of emptiness as they realize "Oh crap, what am I going to do with my day.... other than work that is?"
But for now, we are talking about November 3, 2008. We are talking about tonight. The moment before the country finally has their final say on the 2008 election.
When I arrived, I quickly heard word that Obama's grandmother had passed away. Being with the media, it was interesting to see how they reacted. They were surprised, but one callus reporter said, "She did have great timing..."
Thanks.
After getting settled, we waited for four hours. The highlight was to see the rally area fill up with people. First there were hundreds, then thousands. And finally, the estimate was 100,000 people. (though I think there were some inflation going on there.)
Obama was about 90 minutes late, and other than a soul group, featuring a saxophonist, accompanied with a casio-esque keyboard... it was a wonderful time. Obama summed up his 21 month run. He talked about his stances on Health care, Iraq, Taxes, the Environment, Energy Independence. He spoke about the need for change in this country. He even told us the origin of "Fired Up, Ready to Go." He told the story of his campaign. And while the media talked, and took pictures, and prepped for their story... I sat there, and took it in. The crowd was excited, the crowd was ready. The take away line was this:
There is only one word I can tell you, "Tomorrow"
The final words have been spoken. The candidates go back to their homes, vote, and with the rest of the nation, wait for the results. I will sit with ready anticipation as the results come in for Virginia. I will hold my breath for Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico. I will be hoping for Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Georgia. I will close my eyes and hope against hope for No on Prop 8, so that one day, I too can get married in a court of law. I will cheer (or cry) as the results come in, knowing that I was a part of the most pivotal election since 1912, and retell this story to those who need to know.
For me, and my mother, this year is not a year where we are voting for the lesser of two evils, this year, we are voting the candidate we believe in, and that is an indescribable feeling to have.