Fired Up and Ready to Go! A Tale of Two Cities

Today there were two crowds fired up and ready to go about health reform. One crowd was in Washington D.C. and the other was in Minneapolis at the Target Center. But although there were thousands of citizens at each place, the tone could not have been more different.

In Washington, crowds were angry. They carried ugly signs of the President as the "joker" or Hitler. At least one 65 year-old was demanding that the government stay out of his health care, even though he clearly had Medicare, a government, single-payer program. The message was anti-government, anti-Obama, anti-health reform, anti- just about everything. The rally was organized by Glenn Beck (the oft-given to crying or confusing "cavalry" with "calvary" Fox News host) and his 9-12 project, along with Freedom Works, a right-wing corporate lobbying organization headed up by former Rep. Dick Armey.

In Minneapolis, the 15,000 or so Minnesotans were happy and cheered the President has he leaped onto the stage and, in campaign mode, began to explain his health reform plan. Obama was in rare form. He made jokes, teased the crowd for possibly watching "So you think you can dance" instead of his speech to a Joint Session of Congress Wednesday night, and then proceeded to give more or less the same speech with a few embellishments.

At the end of Obama's speech, he re-told (at his staff's insistence he said) the original "Fired up and Ready to Go" story he told so often during the campaign.

(Thanks to Politico.com's Mike Allen for this verbatim transcript: ) THE PRESIDENT: You know, I asked you -- I asked you at the beginning of the rally whether you were fired up. (Applause.) Some of you may have heard where that story comes from. But for those of you who don't know, I want to just tell this story real quick. My staff loves this story, so they always tell me, 'Tell that story.' (Laughter.) But it bears on what's happening with health care today. This is back at the beginning, when I was running for President. Nobody thought I could win; nobody could pronounce my name. (Laughter.) Nobody except R.T., that was the only person who believed. (Applause.)

So I went down to -- it was right at the beginning of the campaign. I went down to South Carolina to a legislative conference where I was supposed to be one of the speakers. And I was sitting next to a state representative there -- nobody was that excited to see me. (Laughter.) You know, I was -- but I really needed some support and endorsements because South Carolina was an early state. So I said to this state representative, 'Will you endorse my campaign?' And she looked at me and she said, 'I will endorse your campaign if you come to my hometown of Greenwood, South Carolina.' So I had had some wine and I was feeling kind of desperate. (Laughter.) I said, 'Yes, I'll come to Greenwood. Be happy to do it.' Only to find out that Greenwood is like an hour and a half from everyplace else. (Laughter.) You can't fly into Greenwood.

About a month later, I've been campaigning in Iowa for weeks -- (applause) -- haven't seen my family -- got some Iowa folks in the house? (Applause.) I'm exhausted. I get into Greenville, South Carolina, about midnight. I get to my hotel about 1:00 a.m. I'm dragging to the hotel. I'm carrying my bags, ready to hit the pillow. And suddenly my staff says, 'Sir?' I said, 'What?' (Laughter.) They said, 'Sir, you have to be in the car at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow -- in the morning.' (Laughter.) I said, 'Why is that?' They said, 'Because you've got to go to Greenwood like you promised.'

Next morning, I wake up and I feel awful, I feel terrible. I'm exhausted. And I stagger over to the window to pull open the blinds, and it's pouring down rain outside, terrible day. I go out and I get some coffee and open up the newspaper -- bad story about me in The New York Times. (Laughter.) I pack up, I go downstairs. As I'm walking to the car my umbrella blows open and I get drenched. (Laughter.) So by the time I'm in the car I'm wet and I'm sleepy and I'm mad. (Laughter.)

And I drive -- and we drive and we drive and we drive -- hour and a half, we just keep on driving. (Laughter.) Finally we get to Greenwood -- although you don't know that you're in Greenwood right away. (Laughter.) It's not like Minneapolis. (Laughter.) So there's a little field house in a park, and we go into the field house, I walk in, I get a little more wet. I walk in -- lo and behold, 20 people there. (Laughter.) Twenty people. And I'm already thinking about the fact I've got another hour and a half I've got to drive back. (Laughter.) And they're all kind of damp and they don't look like they're that happy to be there. The state rep had dragged them to the meeting.

But that's okay. I have a job to do. I'm running for President, I shake their hand, I say, 'How do you do, what do you do, nice to meet you.' Suddenly I hear this voice should out behind me: 'Fired up?' (Laughter.) And I almost jumped out of my shoes. (Laughter.) But everybody else acts like this is normal and they all say, 'Fired up!' And then I hear this voice: 'Ready to go?' And the people around me, they just say, 'Ready to go!' I don't know what's going on. So I look behind me, and there's this little woman there. She's about 5'2', 5'3', she's maybe 50, 60 years old. And she looks like she's dressed for church. She's got a big church hat. (Laughter.) And she's just grinning at me, just smiling. And she points at me and she says 'Fired up?' (Laughter and applause.) Wait, wait, the story gets better here. It turns out that she is a city councilwoman from Greenwood named Edith Childs -- that's her name -- and she's also known as the chant lady because she does this chant wherever she goes. She goes, 'Fired up?' 'Fired up!' 'Ready to go?' 'Ready to go!' (Laughter.) And she does this at every event she goes to. She's also, by the way, we discovered later, she also moonlights as a private detective but that's a -- (laughter) -- true story. True story.

But she's well known for her chant, so for the next five minutes, she starts chanting. She says, 'Fired up?' And everybody says, 'Fired up!' 'Ready to go?' 'Ready to go!' And this just keeps on going. And I realize I'm being upstaged by this woman. (Laughter.) And I'm -- she's getting all the attention, and I'm standing there looking at my staff and they're shrugging their shoulders. (Laughter.) But here's the thing, Minneapolis. After about a minute, maybe two, I'm feeling kind of fired up. (Laughter and applause.) I'm feeling -- I'm feeling like I'm ready to go. (Applause.)

And so -- so for the rest of the day, every time I saw my staff, I'd say, 'Are you fired up?' They'd say, 'I'm fired up.' 'Are you ready to go?' They'd say, 'I'm ready to go.' (Applause.) And it goes to show you how one voice can change a room. (Applause.) And if it changes a room it can change a city. And if it can change a city it can change a state. And if it can change a state it can change a nation. If it changes the nation it can change the world. (Applause.) It can bring health care to every American. It can lower our costs. It can make your insurance more secure. I want to know, Minnesota, are you fired up? ... They can't stop us. Let's go get this done. Thank you, everybody. God bless you.'

There are about 75 days between now and Thanksgiving. By Thanksgiving, we will know if there will be health reform legislation or not.

Comments

[FoundngFathers]

We must stop blindly supporting "our party" but instead start using common sense.

Everyone thinks it is the OTHER side that is corrupt. I don't trust the Republicans any more than I trust the Democrats. They are all politicians and they all have lobbyists paying for their votes. Both sides had lots of lobbyist money helping them get elected and now they owe them. It is just different lobbyists on each side.

Do you really trust Politicians to look out for OUR best interests? I do not trust Politicians whether Republican or Democrat. Power corrupts. Even if you trust President Obama, he can only be in office for 4 - 8 years. The next person in office may not have our best interests at heart. Therefore we should never allow government to control what is important to us.

Please also consider that government does not have a good tract record of running any industry well, nor inexpensively. For example: The Defense dept - - government overpays for everything. Lobbyists get contracts. Costs are NOT reduced!

America is a nation of FREEDOM / LIBERTY. We are not a socialist country. But when government takes over the auto industry, mortgage industry, banking industry, and is now trying to take over the insurance industry - - how much closer to Socialism can you get?

I challenge every person to think about the ISSUES rationally - not just have blind faith in any politician, no matter how good they appear to be. I don't

[Trinigal]

I was so depressed watching a clip of the DC crowd with their racist signs and comments. Linda's article made me remember that we do have some intelligent voters and I loved the 'fired up" story.

[FoundngFathers]

Although there may have been a couple of racists signs, these were from a very small number of individuals. The vast majority (tens of thousands) carried signs about POLICY. Their concerns had nothing to do with race.

I had high hopes for President Obama, but I have become deeply concerned because of POLICY decisions he has been making. As a nation, we can not afford any more spending. We are basically broke. Bush got us in debt, but Obama has increased the debt 4x more than Bush's. Two wrongs don't make a right. We are borrowing from other nations to pay for our over-spending. It is irresponsible to spend even more.

The citizens in Washington Saturday were from many places, some with groups, but mostly individuals - - united on a few key issues: 1.) Asking Congress / President to stop spending!! 2.) They want Freedom from government intervention. 3.) They do not want a complete change in our healthcare system. 4.) Want to Stop Cap-and-Trade legislation (which would indirectly tax the middle class, and even the poor! Even President Obama admitted it will make our utility bills skyrocket.­)

Our healthcare system is the best in the world. We need to control expenses, but we do not need a complete overhaul. And we do not want government running it.

[1will]

Actually most of the people at the DC rally were happy. Granted, they were fed up with Democrats, lousy government, ACORN and Liberals but most people enjoyed being surrounded by fellow patriots and there was a great sense of comraderie. It was generally a polite gathering of individuals with deep concerns about our nation. Unlike the Leftwing gatherings there were no beatings, no vets were spit on, no flags were burned and no buildings were vandalized.
Yes, a few people had homemade signs of Obama looking like Hitler. Oh....the horror!!!.
That's what happens when your gathering is really grassroots. People bring their own signs, provide their own transportation and broadcast their own message. Maybe the Democratic way is better in that regard. Pay your protesters, bus them in and provide them with protest materials. I suppose the Liberal was is easier to keep everyone on message (like good little sheeple).

[iblogleft]

Fired up!

Ready to throw!
(All that money to private insurance companies that will not allow public profit competition)

If we allow this to pass(Without REAL public profit competition), we have all failed.

[dmspeech]

Funny how all the people against health care reform have health care.

[CaScientist]

Whats even more funny is that they are opposing a bill that gives their interests exactly what they want. The opposition is against campaign promises that never had a snowballs chance in the first place. What is really in HR3200 is a massive tax giveaway to the private insurance industry, revenue capture of the 50 million "deadbeats" who currently "wont" buy private insurance (guaranteed by the force of the IRS), and the legal right of the private insurers to raise rates up to 500% based on age and "risk factor" (which will be finally be defined as anyone with a pulse). Every single item in the "reform" bill is beyond the wildest wet dream of corporate interests. If this "reform" happens, we will all have insurance.­...at $5000 per month in premiums for a policy that covers 50% after a $1 million deductible.

[1will]

Funny how the only people that won't be affected by Obama's plan are the lawyers. Everyone else has to give up money (Medicare), control (doctors) or security (anyone with an existing plan) but the lawyers get a free ride. It's interesting that the same President that wishes to set CEO salaries and compensation has no problem with attorneys running up medical costs with junk lawsuits.

[AllAboutHealthPolicy]

Thanks, Linda. Despite all the time I spent on the campaign trail, I had never heard the origins of the Fired Up Ready to Go chant. I loved watching Obama in Minneapolis and the crowd. It brought back so many memories of the campaign and the hope we all shared. I only hope that he can rekindle that flame again and that as a nation, we can let our representatives know how important it is to act right now. Carpe Dieum!!

[CTtransplant]

Folks, I wonder if the MSM will publicize the march taking place today!!!

Until a health care bill is signed, we need to keep up the pressure!

If not now, when? If not us, who?

Kennedy was one of our greatest champions of health care reform. He carried the torch for a long time...and now it is up to us to continue to carry it!

Our elected officials in Congress receive health care mostly paid for by us tax payers, yet many are trying to make it impossible for us to purchase an affordable plan of our own :

While many of us are struggling to afford medical insurance/medical bills.
While Congress people try to stop healthcare reform.
While Congress people accept large contributions from lobbyists to prevent health care reform.

Please sign these petitions - and by all means, spread the word! Thank you!

http://www.petitiononline.com/PubOp676/petition.html
http://www.democrats.com/honor-ted-kennedy?cid=ZGVtczQ0MTA5OGRlbXM=
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5649/t/4922/content.jsp?content_KEY=2763&tag=hk1_typ-e1

[CaScientist]

I would march until my feet fell off if congress were to present a bill that came within a million miles of the campaign promises. But I refuse to support a president that offers up a watered-down compromise of reform as a sacrificial lamb, while congress writes bills that are monumental giveaways to the insurance industry that seal the extinction of the american middle class and small business.

[Ventoi]

By Thanksgivi­ng...if this works properly..­.we will have learned a lot in the process.

[Ventoi]

If you look at her again...yo­u will see my happy smile and be-good dust coming out from around her green with envy exterior.

Ring the bell...don­'t tink it.

[Ventoi]

Call me?

He 'says' that I meant...
ring the bell (phone me with what you want typed)
instead of tinking me (thinking it in my head - )

[Ventoi]

It is ridiculous to think of myself as an X-man...or woman...

(you know it is)

but I would be Rogue...
lethal to the contact from within.

[Linda Bergthold - Huffpost Blogger]

Make some sense please. I'm leaving these comments in, but they don't pertain to this blog.

[Ventoi]

Today, I created a computer program (in my head...an imaginary computer program)..­.
the kind that run infinite circles...

to keep my eternal flame going (on its own)...

'soldier on...you know you can't quit until its won'.

[Ventoi]

Criticism.­..to the pit with that.

"A child who lives with criticism learns to condemn."

The same is true for adults (we are ALL children to someone...­if only to God).

An administrator who lives with criticism begins to react to it, making him more negative..­.
or begins to lose ground as those around him only associate the critical remarks with him.

Dodging criticism all day...buri­es you knee-deep in a pit of putuckee..­.

I am going to be Obama's ENCOURAGEMENT FAIRY.

He spent his summer among the people...
AND
each town he visited benefitted touristically from himself and his family and his entourage's business..­.
plus the fans who followed along.

Smart man.
Positive man.

The sun is shining so strongly since he arrived.

[denicci1977]

D.C. crowd- racist, uneducated,don't want a black man guiding them on what to do even though it helps them, hypocritical,

MN crowd-realistic, respectful, caring about their country and well-being of fellow Americans, not backing down to the ignorance of the D.C. crowd and yes FIRED UP !

[FoundngFathers]

If you care about your fellow Americans as you state, please care enough about them to think through policy and issues.

With only a few exceptions, the DC crowd was NOT racist, nor uneducated. If you think they were all racists, then perhaps you are the one who is looking at things through a race filtered viewpoint. Also consider - Are you blindly SUPPORTING President Obama because of his race?

In addition, you called the citizens in Washington racist and uneducated - yet you called your side "realistic, respectful, caring..." . Are your comments really respectful???

[LetsGetToWork]

This was actually the first time I had heard the "Fired Up!" story and I just loved it! I am very glad he told it again. The speech was inspiring and enthusiastically received. I give him an "A" on that rally speech.

[akababs]

The fact that a man who advocates the dumbing down of Americans could organize a coherent sentence much less organize a rally of similarly minded people (i.e. stupid) is distressing and embarassing. With widespread displays of ignorance of this type, how can these same people claim American exceptionalism? And more importantly, why must ignorant and ill informed yell the loudest?

[SeymourButz]

Linda, great article. He's spoken in detail about that story at least several times before during the campaign.