The Final Rallies: Obama, McCain Wrap Up Campaigns

Barack Obama saved his biggest Virginia rally for last -- a jam-packed event in Manassas with 90,000 people reportedly in attendance. For his conclusion, he "reached back to the roots of his campaign to tell an inspirational story that had long ago fallen from his routine."

The story is about a long drive, a rainy day and how one person can make a difference. It was inspired by a woman he met during a visit to a small South Carolina town in 2007 and became a favorite during his Iowa caucus campaign.

It ends with Obama leading a cheer of "Fired up, Ready to Go!"

Obama ended the event on Tuesday by telling the crowd: "In 21 hours, if you are willing to endure rainfall, to take the person who was not going to vote to the polls, if you will stand with me in a fight with me, I know that your voice will matter. I have one question for you, Virginia. Are you fired up? Are you ready to go? Fired up? Ready to go? Fired up! Ready to go! Virginia, let's go change the world!"

Meanwhile, a fired-up John McCain told supporters to "be strong and fight" in an election eve rally Monday, his last before voters in swing state Nevada weigh in.

"My opponent is measuring the drapes in the White House. They may not know it, but the Mac is back! And we're going to win this election," McCain said to the screaming crowd. "Don't give up hope! Be strong and fight!"

The Arizona senator's evening rally at the Henderson Pavilion was the final leg of daylong, multistate campaign blitz. The candidate appeared surprised and energized by a crowd that greeted him with loud chants of "USA!" and "American hero!"

More than 10,000 people attended the event, according to facility manager Dianne Mizelle. The number makes it McCain largest in the state to date.

Comments

[DoTheMath]

It's hard to take a presidential candidate seriously when he calls himself "the mac." And if he's "back," where has he been all this time while the rest of us have been working hard to elect a (grown-up) president?

[JustVote]

"The Mac" is Wack!

Obama/Biden 08 and beyond!

[wdw101]

i have given everyone that wants vote today off until 10:30.....­.at 11:31 or later they will be sent home for 4 days without pay...stil­l many EMPs not back yet.......­.yet others did not go

[lizr]

you're a real patriot... with 5 hr lines to contend with.

This is why we need a national holiday on Election Day.

A No Brainer.

[wdw101]

the law states 2.5 hours or a reasonable time......­.i let the voters go at 8:00.....i will not be blamed for long lines.....­..i have a business to run

[crablover]

Sounds like your employees need a good union.

[wdw101]

no had one years ago.......­that will not happen again

[lizr]

WDW is a text book example of why workers need unions in this country.

Let's hope that situation will change very soon and there will be more unionized workers.

Too much powerlessness among workers today.

[camanokat]

I do not believe wdw has a business at all. Why does he have so much time to post on here?

[zenandpeace]

Wanted to go to the rally in Manassas, but it was just too late for my children. They were so excited when they saw Obama in Leesburg and we saw Hillary at George Mason University on Sunday. Just finished voting and almost started to cry when I selected Obama on my ballot. I'm so anxious for change in this country and so want him to be President.

President Obama! Keep saying it! It's going to happen!

[AlexeiJ]

The SC story was truly inspiring. Applicable to anything one might be pursuing, too, not just public office.

Here's some feel-good Obama to help ease the anxiety about the results tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf19H_sHMro&fmt=6

[BluePrideSMW]

Strangely, some issues are so very similar... A 1965 Voting Rights Act national radio spot informing the public about CHANGE... w/ a Motown beat.
http://current.com/items/89434265_obama_2008_things_are_changing

[faretheewell]

I took my 12 year old and 10 year old to last night's rally in Manassas. The local NPR station was reporting that local officials were predicting a turnout of 25-50k. Boy were they wrong.

Despite how tired they were from waiting in the huge crowd for four hours, my kids really lit up when Obama hit the stage. It was really electrifying. I'm glad school is canceled today, but it was a bit of history that I could share with them.

I can't wait to watch the results tonight. If I see that Florida, PA and VA go for Obama, I'll know that I can go to sleep.

[lizr]

I'm very concerned about the election officials in VA, that they are going to attempt to throw the election.

[PattyElle]

McCain/Rove Will Try To Steal the Election with Voting Machine Fraud in Swing States -Republican I/T voter machine computer guru Michael Connell testified yesterday! Rove tried to stop the subpoena, but the judge had the grit to forge ahead. Finally somebody is standing up to these Republicans CROOKS!

http://www.truthout.org/110308R

Watch this important piece of information:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/3/on_eve_of_election_day_is

[bmaggiemay]

wdw101....­WOW 10,000 at a McCain Rally....t­ry 90,000 at Obama Rally

[wdw101]

just different types of people....­...it would not even cross my mind to go to a rally.....­..if i want cheerleading i will go to a football game......

[lizr]

I dont think you were missed :)

[Archivist1000]

WDW SAID: "wow you are right bo does continue to evolve in his speeches..­......now he wants to bankrupt the coal industry."


wdw ... another Kool Aid drinker .. that isn't what Obama said at all ... it was Palin's idiotic MISQUOTED SPIN on it ... why are you all such idiots?

Does it NEVER occur to you people to CHECK the source and hear what the person quoted ACTUALLY said?

Does it NEVER occur to you that when Palin LIES to you, it's because she KNOWS you are too dumb to verify ? She KNOWs you will just believe her??? She INSULTS you with those lies, and she's right .. YOU ARE TOO DUMB TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF..

[crablover]

The neo-cons like WDW are not going to give up easily. They've worked for more than 30 years to overthrow the progressive policies of FDR -- the very policies that help create the American middle class and allowed millions of us to achieve our American dreams.

I want my kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews to have even more opportunities than my generation had. Today I voted for Obama, knowing that he offers our nation its best chance to get back on the road to the future.

God Bless America and God Bless the World. The future begins today!

[lizr]

HOw right you are. FDR and his empowering policies for the people of our country are the REAL enemy for these Reps.

they have never given up hope for unregulated capitalism - robber barons run amuck.

the timing on our latest economic disaster is actually a good thing. Hard, but imagine if it all fell down on Obama's watch. the ignorant would blame the Dems and Obama.

[splenda48]

Archivist1000,

I pray for a victory for Obama/Biden ticket. Palin gives women a bad reputation with level of ignorance she has displayed in the course of 2 months; unbelievable but she has the audacity to basically call Senator Obama STUPID and mocked his community organizing skills; silly me she does not know what that mean! For another woman to support Palin because she is a woman sends a loud message. Scary....

I am African American and I have voted since I was 18 years old, 30 years. My point being I always voted for the best candidate in my mind eye to the best of my ability. I voted for Obama/Biden because they are BOLD, BEAUTIFUL AND BRILLANT!!!!!!! Not two individuals that are looking to carry the title and the power of the title of Pres and Vice Pres.

I can't wait until this is over.

[Stomcey]

I watched this on C-span last night. I loved looking into the crowd and seeing everyone so enthused and fired up for Obama. Let's hope that he wins.

[Z2221344]

"The Mac is back"? Who thought that line up?

[lizr]

Some MAcdonalds fan?

[Archivist1000]

"The Mac is back" ... Poor Mac .. he is just so out of it .... stuck in the 50's ...

[toochie50]

that was a wonderful speech last night, Mr. President!

[Terriac]

I love this story. I could listen to it over and over again. And yes, I'm fired up. I'm ready to go. I voted weeks ago. Obama/Biden '08. Let's get out there, people. Let's vote, if you haven't already. Let's tell everyone we know to vote. Let's help those who can't get to the polls, get to the polls. Let's do what we can. Because we're fired up and ready to go. Our time has come!

[miocid31]

lets make some calls!!!

[lizr]

going down to phone bank in the next hour :)

NE weather is great, no excuses to stay home!

[PattyElle]

McCain/Rove Will Try To Steal the Election with Voting Machine Fraud in Swing States -Republican I/T voter machine computer guru Michael Connell testified yesterday! Rove tried to stop the subpoena, but the judge had the grit to forge ahead. Finally somebody is standing up to these Republicans CROOKS!

http://www.truthout.org/110308R

Watch this important piece of information:
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/3/on_eve_of_election_day_is

[NWBrunette]

Go vote! When that's done the real work starts. If want progressive policies in this country the fight has just begun. We need to push Obama, elect more progressives, and fight hard for the change we want. Obama isn't just going to do it for us. Stay involved and work hard for tax reform, for education, for the environment, for national voting standards, for equal rights...

[wdw101]

or just obstruct bo's bad policies in every way

[OurKoan]

Your mommy's calling. Teletubbies is on. Go and watch it.

[crablover]

Don't go away mad. Just go away.

[The Lorax]

Hey people. I'm fired up. Are you? I'm ready to go. Are you? Oh my, I am in tears. I love Obama.

[Law35]

Fired up! Ready to Go!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!! Yes We Can!!! This is a beautiful thing!!! We can all work together to get this done. Let's take our country back!!!!

Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama!!! Obama!!!! Obama!!!!!!!!!

[The Lorax]

Even my teenage daughter first thing this morning was asking what time tonight we'll have results. On the way to drop her off at school we yelled back and forth "Fired Up!" "Ready To Go". We also wrote Obama on our index fingers, Biden on the middle fingers, so when we give the peace sign it reads OBAMA/BIDEN. Hehehe.

[wdw101]

then go have his baby......­...I'll vote mccain

[Law35]

See the difference? Ugly vs. Hopeful. No one is stopping you....vot­e for who you want but for goodness sake, quit being so ugly and hateful.

[joshuahmcdonald]

What in the world is that supposed to mean? I mean seriously. If you want to insult someone, at least be clever enough to make it something intelligent. Are you in 3rd grade?

[crablover]

Hate vs hope. Today hope wins.

[TerryTheTerrorist]

You are an asshat.

[pleasethinkcritically]

Greenwood SC story is the best! It never gets old. One voice can change a room......­"Let's go change the World....!­!!!!!!!!"

[Barackaroo]

Yep! Church-hat lady has inspired a nation.