I was there . . .!! Obama Rally!

( – promoted by undercovercalico)

Learned yesterday morning that Obama was going to be in Highland, Indiana, last night, so I planned on going.  The rally was to begin at 7:30 p.m., at Wicker Memorial Park.

It was a beautiful, perfect evening!

Arriving, there was no allotted parking left, shopping mall across the street was packed and we were instructed by police to go to K-Mart  (nothing being said about it not being there anymore).  Kept driving until I saw more police, who told me where the lot was.  Parked and got on a shuttle bus (free) to go back to the Park.  Got off, walked to entrance, where police awaited, but, amazingly, no one’s purse or pockets were even searched.    Walked to the Park, where all of the standing room possible in front of the platform was filled to capacity.  Security everywhere.  Interestingly, the group in front of the platform were “gated” off behind them, then there was a goodly amount of space, then more “gating” and people behind that, myself included.

There’s more!

Initially, Indiana representatives spoke, including,

. . .Democratic attorney general candidate Linda Pence, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville; and a soundtrack of upbeat tunes from the likes of Jackie Wilson and Tina Turner. Before the speakers began, the crowd launched into impromptu chants of “Yes we can,” “Ready to go,” “Fired Up” and “O-ba-ma.” There were a handful of protesters — mostly anti-abortion demonstrators — on Ridge Road.

Note:  Click on all photos to enlarge



Note security in foreground!



The platform!



The lady in red to the left is Linda Pence, Democratic Attorney General candidate, I believe.

An estimated crowd of 40,000 people attended.



A small part of the crowd.  Hard to see, I know, but it was very dark.

Obama arrived about 45 minutes later (an entourage of busses, motorcycles, etc.), the crowd went wild when they saw the busses arrive at the site.



Obama is now speaking!  Unfortunately, he is on a platform facing the stage platform and cannot be seen!

Part of Obama’s speech  — see the Video

I’ll tell you this – I simply don’t know how Obama does it.  He had been at it since 6:00 a.m., beginning in Indianapolis, and traveling elsewhere most of the day in Indiana, then went home to take his girls “trick or treating,” then returned to Highland, Indiana, for this rally.  And this is pretty typical of his days.

Listening to Obama, I am not only taken in by what he is saying, I’m amazed by his energy, firmness,  and  positive spirit.  He had a captive crowd and as many whites, as blacks!

He spoke a great deal in terms of the “middle-class” people.  Asked the crowd to show their hands for those earning less than $250,000.00 – I don’t think there was a person there whose hands didn’t go up – well, maybe, that’s an exaggeration, but it looked that way from visual impressions.  

And, of course, he spoke of all his plans for “change.”   We can only hope!  But I do think the man has sincere intentions.  He spoke a little of McCain, one of his comments being, “John McCain doesn’t have any ideas, no policies, he’s too busy picking the pieces out of me! ”  To this, of course, the crowd roared with agreement.   And this,

Obama played off the Halloween holiday during his 30-minute speech.

“John McCain didn’t have any trouble (deciding what costume to wear),” Obama said. “Just like every year, he’s going as George W. Bush.”

Obama, in finishing, urged everyone, with just four days remaining, to get out there and vote, as well as urged people to join in local efforts in these remaining four days to help the campaign.



The End!

Oh, and I’m throwing in this abstract accident just so OPOL can eat his heart out!

Getting out of the Park, and waiting endlessly for busses to take us back, stalled by Obama’s entourage heading out and back to Chicago, took forever, but it was all so worth it.  

It was truly a tremendous event, lots of energy, enthusiasm and very good “vibes.”   HOPE, HOPE, HOPE!

[NOTE:  I’m sorry photos are not the best, but I kept getting bumped here and there and it was very dark!]

63 comments

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  1. Yes, I think WE REALLY CAN!

    • Alma on November 1, 2008 at 22:08

    He is such a great speaker.  I’m so glad you got to hear him live.  It is even better then.  ðŸ™‚

    • RiaD on November 1, 2008 at 23:13

    thank you tahoe!

    i can ‘hear’ the excitement in your ‘voice’….

    gha! i wish i could see him.

    inspiring, to say the least

    and thats exactly what our nation needs just now

    Inspired Leadership!

    thank you!

    ~ for remembering your camera

    ~ actually taking pictures

    ~ putting them together to share with me

    YOU’re the BEST!!

    • pfiore8 on November 1, 2008 at 23:16

    an essay from ucc and now tahoe.

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…

  2. Very cool Ms Tahoebasha3,

    I`m sure being there to hear him in person is something you will never forget.

    • Edger on November 2, 2008 at 00:38

  3. I just hope everyone gets a little inspiration from this, so, thank you, again!

  4. speech.  When I saw him about a month ago, I actually didn’t stay to hear the whole speech when I attended (wanted to beat traffic & had been standing for 6 hours, first in line and then waiting, listening to other speakers, etc).  

    But for me, the most uplifting experience was seeing the energy, patience and good spirits of people who fought traffic, walked a long way just to stand in line for hours, and then stand in the venue for hours, without complaining–people from children to seniors, all wanting to be a part of history.  All just looking for a little Hope.  

    I know that if Obama wins, there is absolutely no way he will be able to do everything that he promises, or to please all us “lefties”, or soothe all the fears and hatreds of the RW’ers–but as long as John McCain and Scary Sarah Palin are kept far, far away from the Oval Office, it’s okay with me.

  5. It’s of course amazing to me how YOU PEOPLE get caught up in the fanfare…

    What did Obama say?….”Oh that’s not important. You couldnt make it out, but there were 40.000 people there! Wow!

    What are Obama’s position on the issues?…Oh I don’t know but he’s AMAZING!!

    Obama wants to invade Pakistan if necessary, Joe Biden seems to want to take out Pakistan’s nukes….Obama wants to start a NATIONAL SECURITY FORCE….to protect us FROM??????

    Your all a bunch of fascist collaborators, Vichy French…voting to the continuation of movement toward fascism.

    Obama is an Arab Killer.

    1 Million Dead Arabs and still counting.

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