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Obama Rallies Overflow Crowd at James Madison U: "No State Is More Important in This Election Than Va."
Barack Obama came to the Harrisonburg Convocation Center at James Madison University in Va. yesterday and drew overflow crowds. More than 10,000 people waited in the brisk weather for more than 4 hours.
Unable to squeeze into the indoor venue, roughly 1000 people were diverted to the UREC soccer field. Obama spoke to the crowd briefly, the Secret Service detail and security convoy a ballet-in-motion.
A token rally by local Republicans was largely ignored. In contrast to the event in Pottsville Pa, captured on YouTube and rocketing around the web, the meeting here seemed mild, even cordial.
As the sun set, the remaining crowd chanted "Obama, Obama, Obama" as a Virginia State Trooper in special ops gear scanned the scene and exchanged banter. He said he's looking forward to some rest and relaxation after the stress of this long campaign. Agreed and well-deserved, Trooper!
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This shows just how classy Obama is - at all his stops he would speak to any overflow crowd first before entering the venue. How many politicians can we say are that appreciative - so just for the record - this was not his first time doing this - he has repeatedly show this act of gratefulness to those who come out to see him.
I've been an Obama supporter since he spoke at the Democratic Convention in 2004. There was something different, something new when he spoke at that time. I was 10 years old when Kennedy was elected and I remember the elation my mother had for him. It rang true with my young mind even then. What I feel right now about Obama and hope is the level of elation my mom felt. I'm glad I'm able to have this feeling in my lifetime. It's a feeling I haven't felt about any presidential candidate that I've voted for since 1969.
EVERYONE, PLEASE VOTE!!! DON'T TAKE THE POLLS FOR GRANTED - WE DON'T WANT TO WAKE UP IN 2000 AGAIN. GIVE PEOPLE RIDES TO POLLING PLACES, MAKE SURE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS ARE VOTING. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED BY LONG LINES, BE PATIENT AND V-O-T-E!!!!
Yes, Vote. I am a little concerned about the youth vote. I think alot of people are waiting for Nov.4. I know I am. If you know some young people, nag them to go out and vote. I did that withmy 21 year old son. He voted early in Iowa. For Obama, I must add.
interesting to hear obama say that no democrat had won in harrisonburg virginia since stephen a. douglas. the times they are a changin'.
Last night my husband called me on his way to his second job, he said babe listen to this. Rosa sat so Martin could walk and Martin walked so Obama could runand Obama ran so OUR CHILDREN COULD FLY!!! I was speechless for a moment and then I found my voice and asked him where did he get that from. He responded he was struck in traffic and while scrolling the radio dail someone was reciting it. Well I guess if he wouldn't of been stuck in traffic he would of never got the chance to hear such beautiful words, And now my Fellow Americans I can share them with you.
I love it!
That was absolutely beautiful and I thank you for sharing! Thank your husband for me for listening and reciting such poetry in motion.
That brings tears to my eyes, and I am a middle aged white person. I just pray that he has adequate security for these impromptu appearances out of doors.
I love that! You have to believe we can do this
McCain can't draw flies to the opening of a grabage can. He can only draw a crowd when Palin is with him. They have a hate/love relationship. They are nobody without the other one. And together they are a disgrace to the country.
GO VOTE. Do not pay attention to POLLS.
GO VOTE. Do not pay attention to POLLS.
GO VOTE. Do not pay attention to POLLS.
GO VOTE. Do not pay attention to POLLS.
GO VOTE. Do not pay attention to POLLS.
I AGREE
I voted!
This is a cool video. I am happy that VA seems to be going blue. I grew up in Southern Virginia. I remember one weekend when I was 10 my family and I were driving to the James Madison area on our way to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains and the caverns. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel not too far from the campus. I remember the cold reception we got when we entered and how many diners stopped eating their meals to turn and stare at us. Their eyes were hard and full of hate. Some of them were red faced as if enraged to see a black family in their restaurant. I couldn't understand why people would stop enjoying their meals and conversations to stare at us during our entire meal. I was little but not easily cowed, so I stared back at some people, my eyebrow raised in a "Can I help you?" sort of expression. Afterwards my dad wanted to take me to the college to check it out. I declined. If we couldn't have a simple breakfast in peace in that town, why would I want to go to school there?
So, seeing that Obama was able to draw a big crowd in that town made me smile. Granted, many of them may have been students. However, if VA goes blue and helps vote in the first black president (as we did the first black governor), I'll be so proud to be a Virginian.
Hey Yalegirl03,
I am from Harrisonburg, born and raised, I'm a fifty-year-old, white woman and I just want to apoligize profusely for the treatment you and your family recieved. I feel shame for the self-inflicted ignorant here in this most beautiful area, for they choose to continue to be proud of their stupidity.
With that said, I too felt a pride in this town that I haven't felt since Clinton was elected president. To see that crowd of people (yes, mostly students who "camped out" since 6:00 am yesterday morning in order to get in) turn out to support Obama, did my heart proud.
My husband works at JMU and knew that there was no way we were going to get in; so we figured Obama's flight arrival and estimated the time he would probably be passing by an exit on the interstate that we had close access to, and sat with our fast food and watched as his entourage drove by. We figured that was probably as close as we will ever get to the next president of the United States.
Now, neither of us are hero-worshipers, but, and I sh*t you not, when his group drove by on the interstate, the sun broke through for the first time that day, forming a ring of sun that the vehicles traveled in as far as we could see.
HOPE! That says it all.
you sound like a nice lady. have a good day.
Darlin' -- I could see it! Beautiful.
WOW, Amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Very cool story. I'm not religious, but spiritual, and I do believe that there is a divine hand involved in this election. A first step in moving humanity from darkness to light.
See Riley Murray's Profile
YG03:
Sorry about your bad experience on your family trip. A loss for JMU for sure. Most people here are warm, tolerant and cordial to visitors. I have lived in this area for over 30 years now, attitudes are changing. There will always be folks who operate out of a "fear of others" mode. You would have loved this event and the "good vibrations" in the crowd!
Here's my full post that was edited down for brevity on HuffPo. Note the incredibly diverse crowd.
http://blueridgedata.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-rally-harrisonburg-slide-show.html
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