What an incredible time I had today! Barack Obama held a campaign rally at Key Arena (home of our local NBA team) in Seattle today. I got up really early (for me) and took the bus into Seattle, then walked up to Key Arena. When I arrived at 8:46 am, there was already a line snaking around several buildings.
They started letting us in around 10:30 am. It was cold and very windy at times - my face felt numb after standing outside for nearly two hours (plus the walk up from downtown).
I was on the floor of the arena. We had to go through a metal detector to be on the floor and they made me take off my cloak just like at the airport. They also hand-checked my purse.
I was about four or five deep in the "mosh pit" on the floor. Unfortunately, I can't been seen in any pictures of the crowd, because I am too short!
Obama did not enter the arena until a little after 1 pm, so we had a pretty long wait inside. At least it was nice and warm, although of course I was on my feet the whole time. They played music interspersed with Obama campaign ads, which were shown on the big screen above the arena.
The first speakers were two campaign organizers who educated everybody about the caucus (I wish it was an easier process - why can't the state Dems get their act together and have a primary instead?). Later, two musicians came out. One of them was from the rock band Pearl Jam and the other is a song-writer. He had written a song called "Fired Up, Ready to Go" about Obama, and pulled together the Total Experience Gospel Choir here in Seattle and other musicians to record the song and a video. They spoke about the making of the song and why they had done it, then the music video played on the big screen.
Awhile after this, the actual rally started. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels opened it, followed by Washington Congressman Adam Smith, then they introduced Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, who endorsed Obama today. Finally, Gregoire introduced Obama. I think he spoke for around 45 minutes or so (but I wasn't watching the time!). The crowd were on their feet the whole time, even the people in the stands, and he was frequently interrupted by cheers and chants.
A girl who was standing on the floor, though some distance away from me, fainted partway through. Obama saw this and went to get a bottle of water that was on the stage for him. He tossed it to some people standing near the girl and then over the microphone called for paramedics and some people to get a chair and help the girl. I noticed Nickels hurry off the stage during this, so I think he was helping to coordinate the assistance and he returned later. Only after the girl had been helped did Obama continue his speech. He had to ask the crowd what he had been talking about last, but then picked it up smoothly. I was really impressed by how he took the time to make sure the girl was helped.
After Obama finished the speech, he walked around the floor surrounding the stage to shake hands with people on the floor. I got swept up and was literally nearly crushed. I was too far away and too short to have a chance at him even if I was not having the breath crushed out of me, but at one point I could see him through the crowd only about six feet away!
After the rally was over, I walked back downtown. It started to rain during this and eventually would be pouring but fortunately I was under a bus shelter by then. It was probably around 5:15 or 5:30 by the time I finally back my apartment. I had caught the bus into Seattle at 7:25 this morning so a very long day!
The crowd there was largely young people. I bet they came down from the University of Washington in droves and I was standing in line with some high school students. Apparently, some teachers were giving extra credit to kids who attended the rally, to encourage them to become more interested/involved in politics. I bet a lot of classrooms were empty in Seattle today.
The crowd was mostly white, as one would expect given Seattle's demographics, but there were many African Americans. There was also a guy wearing a Ron Paul sweatshirt, but he later went away. I don't know if it was a stunt or something.
According to the newspapers, they closed the Arena with 18,000 people inside - the official capacity is 17,000 but apparently they got another thousand of us on the floor and in the aisles. Apparently there were at least 3,000 people in various overflow areas. They set up speakers so these people could hear the speech, and it turned out that part of the reason Obama was late was that he stopped to speak to the crowd outside so they didn't feel so left out.
It was an incredible experience and I had a wonderful time. Hopefully I will not come down with a cold after all that standing around and walking in the cold, wind, and rain. I had been favorably inclined towards Obama for a long time and really became interested after he won Iowa so when my original favorite Dennis Kucinich (yes, I am very, very liberal) dropped out the other week I knew that I would be supporting Obama. Everything he said in his speech today I agreed with. I am also impressed by the character he displayed in helping the girl who fainted. Many politicians would keep right on talking, at best assuming that somebody else would help her. I will be voting for Obama at the caucus tomorrow and feel both happy and proud to do so.
P.S. He is really good-looking in person, especially when he smiles. Two girls next to me were giggling about this.
Comments