This morning we woke bright and early to catch Barack Obama talking at the DU campus. Apparently we didn't wake early enough. I was up just getting moving when I got a text message from Dominic who had seen on the news that they weren't letting anymore people in. I thought that was odd since the doors weren't supposed to open for another hour and a half, but apparently large crowds had begun gathering and it was expect that far more than 8,000 (which the planned center could hold) had arrived. So I quickly showered, skipped shaving for time, and we left the house early.
We arrived at 8 AM to find a huge line that had built up wrapping around much of the DU campus. In fact 3 different lines had formed, and it seemed there were no event organizers to tell you which line was for what or if they were all the same. We go to the end of one line, sent out search parties to learn about other lines. Eventually settling in and not really expecting to ever make it in to see Obama as there were clearly far to many people there. About 10 AM the event hadn't started and we were still very far from the building in a huge line that had only moved perhaps 300 ft. That is when Dina decided to give up and head out, which was starting to sound like a good idea as it was freezing outside and we had been around awhile. At 10:30 Ben and I decided to start doing shifts inside and outside in line so we could stay warm. I had pretty much given up and was just waiting for Ben to crack so we could go home and eat. Then while I was in warming up Ben called and was like get out here the line is moving really fast. I caught up with our group and sure enough we were flying towards the Magnus Arena. We got in, barely we didn't get in the main speaking hall we were in one of the two overflow rooms, some of the last people let in. We sat down and waited...
Barack Obama didn't begin his speech for quite awhile, apparently the reason being that with so many people not being able to get into to the venue or the overflow rooms he went outside to speak and shake hands with all the people that were going to have to just be turned away or sit outside in the cold to hear his speech. I think it was really cool for him to try to make sure that everyone that came out to support him would at least get to see him and hear a few words from the mans mouth. After talking to the outside crowds Obama walked in shook hands and talked for a bit in each of the overflow rooms. Then finally went to the main area to give his speech. After expecting less than 8,000 visitors, Obama reportedly had over 13,000 people come to hear him speak. It was pretty impressive. There was a energy, excitement, and a happiness to pretty much the whole crowd. As Obama's team and group likes to say there was hope. I am glad we got to see some of that excitement, and glad we got to see the man work the crowd.
As for the actual speech, most of his points I had heard before, hence being a supporter. It was interesting to learn some new things. Obama has many plans to help support and help education through out this country, one that I hadn't heard of is increasing the size and funding of Americore, helping make sure everyone can afford college. Instead of requiring military duty for college support you can due a term of duty in Americore, which has a variety of projects many of them focus on improving education in some of America's worst schools. I think it is a great idea to help provide options for those that wouldn't be willing to do military duty, by helping pay for their education if they will help improve education for others.
I like Obama's strong stance against lobbyists, I think for far to long corporate and foreign lobbyist have had a larger say about our governments activities than our people. Why is it no one can go down for more than 6 months to 2 years in all the stock and Enron scandals, but you can get 5 to 10 years for stealing a car? We have laws protecting copyrights for hundreds of thousands of dollars for each violation, and when the vary industry these laws protect get caught and convicted of price fixing, they get a tiny fine that is less than a single individual could be find for copyright infringement? Do these sound like laws for the people, created by the average citizen? Lobbyists have skewed the views and policies so far towards corporations you can barely see any laws to protect consumers anymore. Besides not taking money from lobbyists during the campaign Obama plans to open up a ton of information about their activities so we can know what bills and what people they are trying to buy in Washington. Just making the information public and accessible would be a huge step in the right direction
I am not the biggest fan of Obama's health care ideas, but I am not really against them either. I honestly don't know enough about the gigantic health care mess to claim his ideas are worse than any others. I think other ideas have sounded a little better to me just in a gut reaction sort of sense, but he still has a plan and still will try to force improvement. So no of course Obama isn't perfect.
Obama wants to end the war in Iraq, which I think is good, but I really haven't heard any good idea of how we can get out of there with out making a big mess worse. What kind of withdraw plans does he have? Slow? Fast? Just let the place collapse? I don't know his thoughts and I want to end the war as well, but I would like to know more about his exist strategy.
Obama talked about all these issues and more today. He also talked like every other politician, repeating key points over and over. He said some things that just don't mean anything, are we ready for change, yes. I think everyone runs on the platform, the platform of change and we could do better. Does he love America? Yes. Is he proud to be an American? Yes. Does he have some heartbreaking stories from some small town folk he has meet on the campaign trail? Yes. Does some of this political speak just sound like every other politician trying to unity not divide while bringing greatness to our country before him? Pretty much, which is fine... cause that is part of the game of politics.
When he does actually discuss and state his thoughts on actual issues though, I generally agree. I get excited, thats a big part I am actually excited about the possibilities if he were to actually become president. I can't really recall the last time if ever I was politically excited and motivated by a candidate. The last few elections have just been powered so much by my distrust of another candidate, I wasn't voting to support anyone. I was voting trying to stop what I saw as the worst of two evils.
So I am really glad I got to be part of the experience today. I am really glad I got to actually see the man if only for a few minutes. I am glad that I got to hear him speak happily and passionately about the future. I was happy to see so many people out to support him on a could winter day. I am happy that I can really be excited about voting and supporting a candidate. I am for Barack Obama, and it feels good.
