Barack Obama came to Great Valley High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, today. The school is just down the hill from me, so I got some media credentials and showed up early. There were only about twenty people in line an hour before the doors opened, but people queued up quickly as the event grew nearer.
A cadre of Obama volunteers starting working the line, getting commitment cards and signing up phone bankers and door knockers.
The Deadheads for Obama were represented. If you look carefully you’ll see that the guy has a copy of the Audacity of Hope in his right hand. He later was privileged to ask Obama a question about restoring our reputation in the world, and about the crises in Darfur and Tibet. (Also, that’s me in the background).
The event was held in the school gymnasium, which holds about 1,500 people. I’m sure he could have filled an arena three or four times as large, but it’s the best this community can provide. Two hundred and seventy-six high school students were able to attend, but 30-40 kids were turned away for lack of space. The whole middle and high school student body was able to watch the event on close-circuit television, however.
The high school assistant principal was milling about. Interestingly, the school got this gig because a political science class wrote letters to all three campaigns. Only Obama’s campaign responded.
Former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford was in attendance with his son Dan and grandson Andrew. Obama was pleased to wish him a happy 82nd birthday. I actually had a nice conversation with Sen. Wofford two weeks ago at Obama’s West Chester headquarters. He recognized me and gave me the thumbs up right before this three-generational Wofford picture was taken.
Obama was running about an hour late, so the crowd had to entertain itself for a while. If you look closely at the right-edge, you’ll see CabinBoytheElder and CabinBoytheYounger.
Here’s a look around the room as it looked just before Obama took the stage.
Obama came out looking like a thousand bucks.
And he gave a strong speech.
But by the time it got deep into Q&A time, CabinBoytheElder’s mind was wandering.
I think this is a cute picture of Barack. But it does look like he should be more concerned about the flesh-eating zombies that are right behind him.
Interestingly, there is 40 member-strong Students for Obama group, and a Students for Democrats and Students for Republicans group. But there are no student groups for either John McCain or Hillary Clinton. All the students in the gym will be old enough to vote in November.
Obama had to cut things a little short to make up for lost time and skip over to Levittown in Bucks County. If you missed it, there was a GREAT article on the challenges Obama faces in Levittown in last Sunday’s New York Times Magazine. He’s going into the belly of the beast with that event. But here, in Chester County, there is nothing but Obamamania. Although, someone did steal my Obama yard sign two nights ago. Witnesses reported a shady figure leaving the scene in a pantsuit…she appeared to be ducking sniper fire.
Boo Man you are too much. Fine job, cool pictures. Why do I feel so uplifted?
The lamp of his charisma has been lit. How brightly does it shine. Viva Obama!
keep an eye out for those zombies…
Barack looks like a MILLION bucks, not a thousand
CBtE has a certain sense of style, but he needs more sleep
I want a f*cking town hall meeting too!
I bet you’ll get a number of events in your area – it’s pretty key to your state isn’t it?
I’m actually excited to see Hillary/Obama commercials for the first time. Our primary is so late it’s usually moot.
when a guy raises $134 million in 3 months he gotta look like a million bucks, No?
Nice – thank you. As a journalist, Boo, maybe you should brush up on your cliches.
And aren’t all those women supposed to be Hillary supporters? I’m sorry but I don’t think they’re high school girls.
Great pictures! kudos to the photographer(s). That last picture is wonderful.
I’m jealous you got to go to a seated event. When Obama came through St. Louis before Super Tuesday we had to stand on the concrete floor of the Dome for 3 plus hours.
Candidates are always an hour late. It’s a scheduling rule or something. I’m glad you went.
The photographer is so often the unsung hero…sigh.
😉
So true. But the most important person to a photo diary …
At least your day was calm and fun. Remember Congressional Candidate’s Wife who used to post here from time to time? Barry Welsh’s wife – he’s running for Congress in Indiana again?
Check out this diary about what happened to him today.
I met them at YKos last year. He’s very personable.
I was with you until the deadheads showed up.
Were they selling shrooms, or just vegan burritos?
And most importantly, did they need a miracle? Did they get their miracle?
In Raleigh, NC – Michelle Obama drew a crowd of 5,700
I couldn’t get anywhere near that event. 🙁
They sent out the notification to their email/donor list around 10 pm Monday night, to go get tickets Tuesday morning starting at 9 am.
I did talk to some people who had tried to get tickets from the local HQ, but they were out of them; so the campaign let them volunteer to help out at the event and they got in that way. Just a thought in case you get another chance before your primary.
I’m really glad we went, and the boys were impressed too.
No, I got tickets, but I couldn’t get anywhere near the venue…parking wise.
Michelle gets bigger crowds than Hillary. I love it.
Sam Stein Huffpost catches up with Clinton camp:
when you know you can’t win the race, sit down and whine.
btw over the last two days, polls have Obama closing the 20-point gap to within 5 points.
I saw that, but I’m really worried about that SurveyUSA poll that showed her up eighteen the other day. It should, of course, be an outlier, but this is SurveyUSA. It’s been as close to Godlike as any firm this year, with the exception of Missouri. What makes me worry less about it are the numbers from PPP and Ras. Ras has it a five-point ball game, and I think PPP has it at three points.
most have dubbed the SurveyUSA an outlier.
The Clinton team is just trying to move those goalpoasts again. Remember a few weeks ago how PA was supposed to be an easy win like Ohio?
Booman,
You and I look almost like twins. Except you have 20% more hair…
Off Topic
How is Steven D doing? He has been fighting the flu for at least a week.
Miss him, send him good wishes. Be well.