Live Blogging Thursday: Obama in Durham, NC

I'm looking forward to it.

In case you missed this:

Statement on Rev. McClurkin

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts of our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

~ Barack Obama
10/22/07

Left on 49

but I'm not sure that it accomplished what Obama hoped that it would.

thanks for taking the time and energy to do this. i can't wait to read your report.

Marching band is playing. Tons of press around, I'm counting 13 cameras.
I'm also taking pictures but won't be able to post those until very late tonight.
See you guys at 4.30 pm!

national anthem was sung, crowd has grown to 2500.

He's asking everyone to go help the campaign in South Carolina.
Says that SC isn't far, "lets go make history".
Song playing through the PA: "Ain't no stopping us now".
Disco is hip again?

Parking is a nightmare here, so I'm expecting a lot of folks to show up kinda late. Good thing I made my own "BlueNC PRESS" sign to hang in my car. Cops actually fell for it ;-)
Music playing" your love is lifting me higher".
Crowd is starting to shake their behinds a little :-)

I'm wondering if anyone is actually reading this...

Sure hop this thing doesn't crap out when Obama starts his speech...

CHANGE we can believe in.

keep it up, you're doing an amazing job! Can hardly wait for the pics.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Mayor Bell (if I understood that right) will introduce Obama, Speech should be over around 6.15 pm.
Been told we might have an opportunity to interview Obama afterwards, press starts drooling ;-)

I'm watching live video from the local NBC affiliate...I believe it's also available from WRAL and WTVD.

Oh, how I love that marching band ;)

----
There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracts. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of the comfortable past which, in fact, never existed. - Robert F. Kennedy

So many people here now it's tough to guess a number.
Crowd seems to me to be about double as big as the Rock Hill, SC event I went to, which had 2000 attendees. So my guess is about 4000 here.

will you be asking?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

or maybe its the site. In any case..sorry folks.
By the way...we're being watched by Secret Service from the top of the stadium roof..looks like a sniper too.
Saw their Black SUVS at the entrance too, has a big sign in the window that says Secret Service. Not very secret if you ask Me :-)

They all say "CHANGE we can believe in"

I see TV news vans from channel 11, 17, Fox and News 14

The people we can see in the WRAL video look a bit older..

big crowd! I'll try to post pictures late tonight if i have energy left after a 3 hour drive, otherwise tomorrow.

We really need those BlueNC business cards.

Looks like Obama's in the house..backstage anyway.

Lord, he almost looks dynamic! Shocking!

thanking school administration, students.
Says Obama is reaching more new voters than anyone else.
says Obama is only major candidate who always has been against the war. Endorses Obama.

crowd goes nuts.

acknowledges Dan blue former speaker of the house and the chancellor of the school and some student volunteers. thanks the marching band. talks about the passing of the sheriff (Blazer?)

says the make up of the crowd is inspiring, not just the size of it.

"sick and tired of george W Bush".
We're tired of an administration that treats constitution as a nuisance.
Tax cuts for the rich, bad economic policies.
tired of diferent standards of justice, jena 6 against blackwater or scooter Libby
Tired of lack of progress on healthcare and education and energy.
Most of all tired of war that costs us thousands of lives and trillion of dollars.

changing parties in the white house isnt enough, need big and fundamental change.
need major change in healthcare and energy policies, can only do that with fundamental change in the way politics are don.
talks about his cousin Dick Cheney, says he's "been hiding this for a long time, everyone has a crazy uncle in the attic and black sheep in the family". Says he 'doesnt want to go on that family hunting trip anytime soon.
Talks about Cheney being in cohorts with Exxon/Mobil.
Obama says he wants to clean the place out and make fundamental change in Washington

nobody in Washington is listening. Says he's running because he wants the people's voice to be heard in Washington.
Says folks in washington think he's naive, talking about hope again.
Says folks say he hasnt been in washington long enough, says that might boil all the hope out of him.
Some of the people with long resume: cheney and Bush..long resume doesnt guarantee good policies.
(I am told now crowd is 3200 folks big).

in standing up against special interests and has experience standing up even when its not popular. references to anti-war speech when he was running for senate, when Bush popularity was 65%.
thinks that is something you need to expect from the next president, someone that is willing to stand up, that doesn't flip-flop (swipe at Hillary?)

Thanks for the liveblogging! I'll read it all later!

by the end of his first term.
Wants to invest in early childhood education. takes aim at No child left behind, that "leaves the money behind".
Work with our teachers instead of against them. Get banks out of student loans and make affordable college for everyone.

campaign tells me now that 3400 tickets got sold online and they sold 600 at the gate. Guess my guess of 4000 was correct :-)

in the world. Says first thing he will do after getting elected is calling togehter the jont chiefs of staff to end this world. Says Clintons name now. Blames her for voting for iran resolution, says we shouldnt be beating the war drums twice. Says Clinton is telling him hes naive for wanting to talk to "our enemies".
Says we should never fear to negotiate but shouldnt negotiate out of fear.

says he'll restore habeas corpus and close down Gitmo.
"thats not who we are".

...on fear and how Republicans divide us was great.

----
There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracts. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of the comfortable past which, in fact, never existed. - Robert F. Kennedy

that he can lead this country in a new direction and confident that he can lead.
Says that he wont be a perfect president, but he'll always be honest and upfront. It's gonna be tough, hard and difficult to repair the damage.

government by the people, for the people especially for young people.

with the familiar "fired up, ready to go" chant.
Are you fired up? I'm ready to go :-)
I'll check all the comments when i get home (late tonight).
Look for a few pictures tomorrow!
good night

Great job, thanks for doing this for us.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

thank you again, so much, for doing this.

sen. obama was amazing and there is no other candidate that brings people together and inspires people like he does; this event was evidence of that. thanks for capturing it for people that couldn't make it.

You can see a much bigger version of each picture simply by clicking on it.

Some pictures of the crowd:

Pictures taken during Barack's speech:






After the speech the "press corps" got some private time with the candidate, but I didn't interview him. We all gave that honor to a much younger colleague who also had press credentials :-)

n/t

There's a great video on the News&Observer website, which gives a good impression of the Barack Obama rally in Durham yesterday.