Obama Makes His Seventh Trip to Southwest Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia -- To the music of Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" and against a backdrop of a huge contingent of screaming Virginia Tech students from nearby Blacksburg, Barack Obama spoke to over 8,000 enthusiastic fans in Roanoke, Virginia, Friday, as he made his seventh trip to southwest Virginia in an effort to try to turn the state blue for the first time in 44 years. Bristol, Virginia, two and a half hours to the south, was Obama's first stop after gaining the nomination.

Hundreds of people waited hours out in the rain, the sidewalks around Roanoke's Civic Center dotted with umbrellas. Shuttle buses moved the people seamlessly from parking lots to the venue; it was one of the best organized events this reporter has ever seen, motivated by Southern hospitality and an even-tempered, well-behaved crowd.

With just 18 days to go until the election, the campaign has taken on an urgency that aroused the crowd, who did a series of the "waves" in perfect synchronicity while waiting for the speakers, which included local congressman Rick Boucher and Senator Jim Webb.

Shouting "I love you, too," to an enthusiastic fan, Obama walked on stage and turned fatherly for a moment and told a young girl to get down from the shoulders of another or she would hurt herself, and then quickly turned serious as he once again laid out his plan for America in positive tones, adding that he could take "three more weeks of attacks but American can't take four more years of failed policies."

He likened McCain's health care plan to those ads for drugs one sees on television where it looks all happy and light until one gets to the potential side affects at the end, and added once more that "every American has a right to health care."

He also told a funny story about stopping for a piece of pie at a small restaurant where the owner, a Republican, told him how badly his business was doing. Obama asked the man how his business had been faring for the past eight years and when the man admitted it hadn't been good then either, Obama suggested that the man "stop banging his head against the same wall" and try something new." The audience laughed appreciatively. He then, once again laid out his plan for small businesses, and said that 21 states, including Virginia, are facing budget shortfalls, and promised to create a 25 billion dollar fund to help those states right now. But, he added. "We need to also create new priorities," and again stressed the necessity of spending money in the present to ensure a brighter future.

Obama cited the need for a new tax code and promised that his increased budget for energy independence would create millions of new jobs, and he told the students cheering in front of him that if they gave back to the nation and the world he would make sure they would be able to go to college.

He said that it was time to "turn a new page in this country. And we have to do it from the bottom up. Not just for the C.E.O.s but for the secretaries and the janitors. We can steer ourselves out of this mess," he said to wild and sustained applause.

"America," he said forcefully, "will rise or fall as one nation."

Follow Lisa Solod Warren on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisaswarren

Comments

[Jules1]

I sat under the rain for hours today, finally I voted, I feel good, now I will peek out my window, yes it is still raining, stamped my absentee ballot envelope and will drive it to the government office tomorrow!!!

Trust me in my younger days I would have stood in the rain for hours to vote Obama/Biden. Go!

[HappyChick]

It's unfortunate that Sen. Obama has decided not to campaign in Georgia anymore. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lies here in Atlanta. This is a historic election, win or lose. Before November 4th, I think Sen. Obama should come back to Atlanta and visit the MLK site. Without Dr. MLK, Sen. Obama would have never made it this far. He will really see how much support he has here. Georgia Dome!!
Georgia is turning blue!!!!!

VOTE EARLY......I DID!!!!!

OBAMA-BIDEN '08!!!!

[JNail]

Good for you!! 692,000 Georgians have now voted in 1o days!

We are going to win here!!! I could use a volunteer in our SW Atlanta GOTV office opening tomorrow. We have 4 precincts and can use all hands. If you are interested go to my blog and leave me a PM and I'll get in touch

Any time you can spare would be great!!

Here is my blog :
http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/jnail/blog/&blogId=4981

[wembakoy]

Sweat!

Please share this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2kjgdF1Xk&NR=1

It is very important especially in the last week of election. Don't be fooled and think that this election will be a slum dunk. We need to work really hard for Obama-Biden.

Thanks

[ivillage]

Poll of Polls: Barack Obama 50, John McCain 44: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/10/poll-of-polls-barack-obama-50-john-mccain-44.html
Obama retains his six-point advantage in the new Poll of Polls, with 50 percent of voters saying the Democratic presidential nominee is their choice for president, and 44 percent backing McCain, the Republican presidential nominee. Six percent of voters are undecided.

[BassMent]

Thanks ivillage. I would just point out, though, that the national polls are pretty much worthless, even if they're all averaged together as done by the folks at Poll of Polls (RealClear­Politics.c­om does the same thing). The problem is, the poll respondants for Obama in NY are given as much weight as the poll respondants for McCain in Alabama. Problem with that approach, although it may describe an overarching national "mood," is that it doesn't account for the fact that NY has 31 electoral votes and Alabama has 9.

If we can keep all of the states that are solidly for or leaning toward Obama right now, today, we can concede all of the "toss-up" states to McCain and Obama will still win the electoral college votes needed for the presidency (270).

Here's a good summary of where we stand, and it's updated every day:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/election_2008/electoral_count.html

This makes it really clear why Obama is working so hard in places like VA and MN. OH would be a nice get, but if he can solidify the states already going his way, he doesn't need OH (or FL for that matter).

Of course, we've got to hold these Obama-leaning states, and tha means everyone has to VOTE and help with GOTV efforts if possible!

[joanVA]

I was on the stage behind Obama and took this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0xGhYrwwQU

A great rally but unfortunately I read that Obama dropped a few points in the polls in Virginia. So, we have our work to do!

[kmich718]

Very cool vid - Nice job! It looks as though it was a great success!

[Hare]

This is really a movement of the young generation. It really is the young people keeping him on top. Don't lose hope like generations past. This is your time and more of us old ones will support you.

[mom2sons]

Keep up the good work and keep encouraging people to vote and vote early. Went and phone-banked yesterday. Have donated $25 every pay for several months now. If you believe, you have to put your money where your heart is. VOTE OBAMA-BIDEN 08!

[zizyphus]

I have a friend working on the Obama campaign in Virginia, and he sounds very optimistic!

On the other hand, I have just heard that in Wisconsin, the GOP has begun advertising for off-duty security guards, cops, and other scary guys, to hang out at the polls in inner city areas to act as "poll watchers" to intimidate minority voters. That is the kind of underhanded tactics we are up against. I hope the Dems have lawyers at those inner city polling places.

[AngelInFlorida]

if I were there, it would not matter to me because I would vote, period. I would die trying to vote. No one and I mean no one would stop me from voting. It is my right and this election is too important and has too much at stake, to be intimidated. The people need to intimidate the GOP security workers coming there.

[boycottrightwingthings]

My parents live in another state most of the time, but are registered in my state, and are driving 8 hours just to vote for Obama. They are so afraid of Republican voter fraud (as are so many people!) that they want to make sure that they vote in person. After two stolen elections, I really can't blame them. That is why we need record turnout in every state in the union. That is why we need early voting. That is why we need to have lawyers in EVERY state, because the only way that Republicans can win is if they steal elections, intimidate likely Democratic voters, use deplorable and shady tactics, etc. because they are so far outside the mainstream, yet somehow, they keep on winning elections!! People, don't JUST vote, donate your time, money, energy, make calls, please do whatever you can to counter the thievery of some voter fraud by Republicans! These very greedy rich people, and the stupid ignorant people who vote against their own economic interests (brainwashed) will stop at nothing, so we must give 150% to get our great team of Obama Biden elected!! Are you ready for a government which is for the people and by the people again?? I am!! Obama Biden 08'

[FACINGREALIT]

It's amazing that all of Obama's events are so surreal and full of every age, race, creed and religion. I attended two events he held in Houston during the primaries and the mixture of people was unbelievable. We all chatted like we had known each other for years and took pictures of and laughed at the different Obama T-Shirts on display. It was absolutely great! No one complained about the long lines nor the long wait for him to appear. I will never forget those moments in time for I really walked away both evenings with a true feeling about America and how it should be.

[XME]

Though I live in SW VA, previously all of his rallies have been several hours from where I live...so I jumped at the chance to attend this one since it was much closer.

There were people there who'd come from hours away (one person I met drove from North Carolina and was in line, in the rain, starting at around 7 AM (the event didn't start until 12:30). While there were a lot of college students there, it was great to see people of ALL ages. After the event was over, I took the shuttle back to my car, and met a couple who were in their 50-60's who'd driven from about an hour away to hear him.

I certainly hope that on Friday I saw our next president speak!

[XME]

http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/180898

[Lisa Solod Warren - Huffpost Blogger]

I myself drove an hour and a halfr just to COVER the event! In the rain, so I know how you all feel:)

[kellygrrrl]

"REAL" Reality is going to be a harsh wakeup call in a few weeks!

The Republicans are destroying themselves and they seem oblivious to that

[ginia51]

I have a dream...
OBAMA-BIDEN 08

[Halter]

Get ready for dirty tricks at the polls-go to PBS/YouTube's Video the Vote

http://www.youtube.com/videoyourvote

[idyllick]

For those of you who have already voted, "Great!"
Now go to Obama's site and make "Neighbor to Neighbor" calls
It's easy, fun and a if you think you felt happy after you voted this feels just as good!

Those of you who have not yet voted can do the same, too.

[ExpatNL]

In a nation that prides itself on being free and so honest, why not just have an all paper ballot.

Lets say there are 150 million registered voters.

150 million sheets of 8 x 10 paper with 2 names on them in very large fonts. Circle your choice.

then hire people from real free democracies in northern Europe to come and count them.

[zizyphus]

Sounds good to me.

[DaBluAce]

funny but sounds like a winner! Count me in