I was there . . .!! Obama Rally!

( – promoted by undercovercalico)

Learned yesterday morning that Obama was going to be in Highland, Indiana, last night, so I planned on going.  The rally was to begin at 7:30 p.m., at Wicker Memorial Park.

It was a beautiful, perfect evening!

Arriving, there was no allotted parking left, shopping mall across the street was packed and we were instructed by police to go to K-Mart  (nothing being said about it not being there anymore).  Kept driving until I saw more police, who told me where the lot was.  Parked and got on a shuttle bus (free) to go back to the Park.  Got off, walked to entrance, where police awaited, but, amazingly, no one’s purse or pockets were even searched.    Walked to the Park, where all of the standing room possible in front of the platform was filled to capacity.  Security everywhere.  Interestingly, the group in front of the platform were “gated” off behind them, then there was a goodly amount of space, then more “gating” and people behind that, myself included.

There’s more!

Initially, Indiana representatives spoke, including,

. . .Democratic attorney general candidate Linda Pence, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson, U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville; and a soundtrack of upbeat tunes from the likes of Jackie Wilson and Tina Turner. Before the speakers began, the crowd launched into impromptu chants of “Yes we can,” “Ready to go,” “Fired Up” and “O-ba-ma.” There were a handful of protesters — mostly anti-abortion demonstrators — on Ridge Road.

Note:  Click on all photos to enlarge

Note security in foreground!

The platform!

The lady in red to the left is Linda Pence, Democratic Attorney General candidate, I believe.

An estimated crowd of 40,000 people attended.

A small part of the crowd.  Hard to see, I know, but it was very dark.

Obama arrived about 45 minutes later (an entourage of busses, motorcycles, etc.), the crowd went wild when they saw the busses arrive at the site.

Obama is now speaking!  Unfortunately, he is on a platform facing the stage platform and cannot be seen!

Part of Obama’s speech  — see the Video

I’ll tell you this – I simply don’t know how Obama does it.  He had been at it since 6:00 a.m., beginning in Indianapolis, and traveling elsewhere most of the day in Indiana, then went home to take his girls “trick or treating,” then returned to Highland, Indiana, for this rally.  And this is pretty typical of his days.

Listening to Obama, I am not only taken in by what he is saying, I’m amazed by his energy, firmness,  and  positive spirit.  He had a captive crowd and as many whites, as blacks!

He spoke a great deal in terms of the “middle-class” people.  Asked the crowd to show their hands for those earning less than $250,000.00 – I don’t think there was a person there whose hands didn’t go up – well, maybe, that’s an exaggeration, but it looked that way from visual impressions.  

And, of course, he spoke of all his plans for “change.”   We can only hope!  But I do think the man has sincere intentions.  He spoke a little of McCain, one of his comments being, “John McCain doesn’t have any ideas, no policies, he’s too busy picking the pieces out of me! ”  To this, of course, the crowd roared with agreement.   And this,

Obama played off the Halloween holiday during his 30-minute speech.

“John McCain didn’t have any trouble (deciding what costume to wear),” Obama said. “Just like every year, he’s going as George W. Bush.”

Obama, in finishing, urged everyone, with just four days remaining, to get out there and vote, as well as urged people to join in local efforts in these remaining four days to help the campaign.

The End!

Oh, and I’m throwing in this abstract accident just so OPOL can eat his heart out!

Getting out of the Park, and waiting endlessly for busses to take us back, stalled by Obama’s entourage heading out and back to Chicago, took forever, but it was all so worth it.  

It was truly a tremendous event, lots of energy, enthusiasm and very good “vibes.”   HOPE, HOPE, HOPE!

[NOTE:  I’m sorry photos are not the best, but I kept getting bumped here and there and it was very dark!]