While at a Halloween party later Friday night, all of our phones began to buzz with a text message: "Sunday Nov 2 - Barack and Michelle returning to Columbus for Statehouse rally 1p". He was coming back to town! Saturday morning was madness at our office as everyone tried to volunteer for a spot working the rally. 50,000 people were expected to show up. Lucky for me, I was friends with all of the decision makers, and by Saturday afternoon I was informed I would be working the ADA (Disabled and VIP) section, and would be placed just left of the stage. I had also been growing a "Beard for Obama" since I'd been in Ohio, and was told it would be a good idea to shave for the rally and look moderately respectable.
On Sunday, we showed up to the statehouse on High Street and Broad Street at 8am for the 1pm rally. As the lines began to form all the way down High Street, we received some quick training and ran through several scenarios. Before long, the attendees began to flood in. I had to learn a little sign language to help direct the deaf, and now I'm a pro maneuvering wheelchairs into very small spaces. Just before the rally, the VIPs showed up, including Ohio Attorney General-elect Rick Cordray (formerly State Treasurer of Ohio), Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, and former senator, astronaut, and American hero John Glenn. After several glowing introductions, the last of which by Michelle, Barack came out with his daughters to greet the crowd (now estimated at around 60,000). Seeing the 4 of them on stage, it was quite a sight. People older than I kept whispering how Kennedy-esque it looked.
I've posted two clips of Obama's speech here:
Why Barack is Running for President:
Barack's Closing Lines:
At the end of the speech, the place went nuts and Barack quick made his way to the disabled section to shake some hands. Here's one photo of him shaking the hand of a very enthusiastic supporter!
Yes, that's my hand.
6-Hour Wait for Change
After the rally, I headed over to Veteran's Memorial to assist with the early voter lines. I'm trying to think if I've ever seen a line that is literally 6 hours long, and I don't think I have. The line took up two floors of the event center, and still spilled outside onto the street and into the parking lot. I spent most of my time instructing people on how to fill out the ballots, answering questions about voting, and passing out bottles of water. I even took a few photos before I photographed the actual polling room and was kindly asked to go somewhere else.
What's incredible was the dedication of the voters. There were sick voters, there were elderly voters, there were first-time voters, and they all stuck around to cast their vote. And they all enthusiastically accepted "I Voted for Change" and Obama stickers from our volunteers as they left Vet's Memorial. According to exit polls, Obama voters were showing up between 8-1 to 10-1 versus McCain voters.
Said one elderly man on line: "I have cancer, I have bad knees, I'm sick. And I'm standing here on line and I'm praying. I'm not praying for my cancer, or my knees, or my other illnesses. I'm praying Barack Obama gets elected." THIS was the kind of feverish dedication we were seeing in battleground states.
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