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

[citizentm]

FIRED UP.

READY TO GO.

FIRED UP.

READY TO GO.

FIRED UP.

READY TO GO.

[The Lorax]

FIRED UP!

READY TO GO!

[Fzetmptres1]

I have never been more PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN~Voted for this man of dignity, class and grace already in Pittsburgh PA, in and out in 10 minutes~ I feel Toot's spirit all over this thing.

Fired Up! Ready to GO!

[bygollymissmolly]

Me too. Voting for Al Gore was the first time I was even somewhat enthused about voting for President. Up until then there was a touch of "the lesser of two evils". But with Obama it's totally different. I was delighted to cast my vote for him. For the first time in my adult life I contributed to a political campaign and put my boots on the ground. It felt great.

I am very proud of my country, but a little sad too. It makes me sad to know that there are still so many b i g o t s out there. The fact that there is still a 5% undecided in an election where the choice couldn't be more clear tells me that there's still a log of b i g o t r y out there. These people are trying to decide if they should vote for what is the best for their families and this country or vote guided by a lifetime of p rejudice. I hope they vote to do the right thing. Then I think that Obama will really surprise them.

[wdw101]

oh give me a break.....­...they just don't want to tell a pollster who they vote for......t­hat makes them a bigot.....­..wow

[Dr Independents Day]

I thought about how my grandmother didn't get to see me graduate from medical school, the proudest day of my life besides my marriage and birth of my daughter. I felt his pain, and actually cried about his loss. And I am not one to cry at all about other people I don't know. We can all relate to having someone that helped make us who we are, then losing them. I feel for him, but hopefully there is a God and an afterlife, and she will see him and be proud. I often wonder if my grandmother has seen how I have turned my life around.

[Archivist1000]

Poor McCain .. even to the end, he didn't GET IT>>

While Obama is using his last night to INSPIRE and MOTIVATE the people at his rally ... McCain is still on his 'measuring the drapes' nonsense ..

Is it any wonder he will lose?

[lizr]

A small mind v a large consciousness.

A clear choice.

I have great faith in the American people today.

[Dr Independents Day]

Yes, his campaign has been hateful and ugly overall. It totally took away from his strengths: that he served his country honorably and was a hero to many. He should have picked a different VP candidate, ran as the McCain from 2000, and stayed positive. His campaign was run by Rove wannabes that just didn't get that when times get tough, Americans get focused and don't concern themselves with petty stuff overall. I guess the dumb people still do however (aka Sarah Palin supporters).

[zer0rez]

Obama = Wired

McCain = Tired

Barack actually continues to evolve in his speeches while John keeps on going with the same old tired stuff. I know there's more to leading than speeches, but this guy is something else. This is the voice of ideas, leadership and inspiration. If Barack fails to deliver in his time in office I think I will become forever cynical about politics.

[wdw101]

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

[Archivist1000]

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..

[lizr]

You people are so pitiful I cannot believe you live in the same country as me.

You dont represent MY America.

[crablover]

Coal is not the future of energy in America. I live in coal country and we see the handwriting on the wall. The future is in renewable energy, not fossil fuels.

[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

[mcantwell]

VIRGINIA..­.I PRAY THAT YOU'LL WIN THIS ELECTION FOR OBAMA!!!!!!

[bygollymissmolly]

I pray that they get to vote. There have been some really horrendous shenanigans going on in that state. The Republican elected officials are bound and determined to discourage voters.

[lizr]

When Obama is in office, reforming, nationalizing the elections process needs to become issue numero uno. Paper ballot choices always available for EVERY VOTER.

AND mandatory early voting for a week at least, AND a national holiday for election day. Why should anyone have to work when this is the most sacred duty we have!

because power NEVER gives up without a struggle and they WILL do all in their power to steal it on every front they can.

[crablover]

Just returned from voting in Roanoke County, VA. One of the eight Diebold machines in our polling place has already gone down. The turnout has been at a record-setting pace.

The people of America have finally had enough with the politics of hate and are voting for hope. The birthplace of America's Founding Fathers will once again lead this nation in overthrowing tyranny!

[wdw101]

"overthrowing tyranny!" you have got to be kidding...­....wow

your an id10t

[wdw101]

corrected

"overthrowing tyranny!" you have got to be kidding...­....wow

you're an id10t

[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

[ENOS]

Obama rallies are positive and refreshing. McCain rallies are hatefull and full instill fear in peolpe. This is a lot like "Lord of the Flies". We owe it to our God, our country and the planet earth to elect a man that represents civility, hope, love and peace. LET'S CHANGE THE WORLD!

New Generation, New Country, New thought, New Hope!!!

[brooklyncitizen]

Well Brooklyn is fired up....long lines early this morning before polls opened at 6 am....and yeah it's an Obama surge....I don't recall ever standing on line to vote....bu­t it was smooth orderly and a beautiful sight.

[OurKoan]

Brooklyn is the most under-appreciated cool city on Earth!

[wdw101]

oh come on........­.cleveland­?

[BIG JOHN]

AND MCCAIN HAD WHAT? 1000 PEOPLE AT HIS RALLEY, BUT HERE'S THE STORY, IF MCCAIN GETS ALL 1000 OF HIS SUPPORTERS TO VOTE AND OBAMA ONLY GETS 1000 OF HIS 50,OOO TO VOTE THE RALLEY MEANS NOTHING. GET OUT AND VOTE AND MAKE SURE YOU CALL A FRIEND AND FAMILY MEMEBER TO VOTE.

[The Lorax]

Good morning, President Obama.

[khiva]

I was there last night -- I heard some police people talking -- one estimate of the crowd was 150,000. It doesn't matter much, but 90,000 is a huge undercount. At the end, complete strangers were hugging each other with tears in their eyes. I've worked for every Democratic campaign since Bobby Kennedy, and I've never seen anything like it.

NOW DAMMIT GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!!!!!!!

[sink]

The Inspiration vs. The Fear.

[emmalee]

If your hairs dont stand up when this man speaks, you must be totally bald!

Vote for Obama! Lets get FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!!!

[suemag]

I live in a small CT town (pop. 3000) and have never had to wait to vote in 30 years. We generally have a high voter turnout anyway, so I thought it would be business as usual. This morning we actually had a line out the door and down the sidewalk- amazing!

[Demi-Crat]

I live in a small town in NJ. I have already seen anti-Obama ads many many times this morning on MSNBC and CNN. I am SOOOOO sick of it. Please win Obama and stop this stuff. I am tired of being angry!!!!!

[bammato3]

TODAY AMERICA WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY WE HAVE ALL COME TOGETHER WITH THE HELP OF A TRULY GREAT MAN WE CAN TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK.

[firewmn]

**
My sister in law called last night to say.. She was at the rally.. she also sent a picture.. I will save this historical pix with the rally pix of me & Barack & Michelle.

***I am sooo happy to vote for Barack & Joe..