Here are the words of a lifelong friend who was among the crowd listening to President-elect Obama last night...
A few random thoughts. First, it was probably the most orderly, well behaved large crowd I have ever been in. We were lucky enough to get tickets to go into the 65,000 capacity space which was the area that Obama would eventually speak. It was a sea of people, as you saw on TV. Those that could not get the tickets could go to the North end of the park and watch on another big screen. Or, you could mill around outside the area.
So, this mob descends on Grant Park. Those with tickets are to go right and those without left. Now we are talking thousands of people jammed together. Everybody obeyed. Amazing. No pushing or complaining--nothing. Once you went through 4 lightly screened screens you got into the main Obama area. In the three hours we waited there was not a single problem or idiot. No antiMcCain stuff. No alcohol. Not a single person I wanted to punch---a first. That part was totally unexpected in 2008. And to be there with Carly, Trevor, Becky was very nice.
Second, we were sitting at Trevor's place, actually it is Christie's and it is in Andersonville, and watching TV at about 6:00 or so. It is 70 degrees and it is a totally condo neighborhood. There are lots of condos, close to each other, and because of the temperature all have open windows. So, at 6:15 when MSNBC projects Obama to win Pennsylvania you hear a roar go up that is coming out of all the open windows. I just found it very moving. It made it seem like people were once again committed and they had found a candidate that they-we could all rally around. And, to hear that reaction after just one state's projection reminded me of the passion that still existed. It was a both a tension release and a moment I won't forget.
Third. I'm not sure what they showed on TV but before Obama came out they had a minister pray and then an exMarine talk about the pledge and then a group recite it and then the National Anthem. Now I have not said the pledge or sang the Anthem since probably the Viet Nam era. I always felt it had become manipulative etc. You probably know the feeling. But, last night I found myself gradually saying the Pledge and singing the Anthem. The crowd seemed to be in a similar place. I guess to do it at a sports event is one thing but to do it at a political event takes more philosophical choice. Well like me, the crowd started out very slow to respond and then it grew and grew until most were singing. I'm guessing most people were like me and did not want to buy into fake patriotism but suddenly this was real and it involved me for the first time in years. I did not feel embarrassed but rather I felt at I was proud of America--finally.
Last--I have been waiting 40 years for Bobby to return. Barack is not Bobby but there is a thread from him to Barack. I wore a Kennedy 1968 campaign button on my shirt so that part of my past was now a part of my present. 40 years is a long time and I'm hoping we are finally rewarded.
A few random thoughts. First, it was probably the most orderly, well behaved large crowd I have ever been in. We were lucky enough to get tickets to go into the 65,000 capacity space which was the area that Obama would eventually speak. It was a sea of people, as you saw on TV. Those that could not get the tickets could go to the North end of the park and watch on another big screen. Or, you could mill around outside the area.
So, this mob descends on Grant Park. Those with tickets are to go right and those without left. Now we are talking thousands of people jammed together. Everybody obeyed. Amazing. No pushing or complaining--nothing. Once you went through 4 lightly screened screens you got into the main Obama area. In the three hours we waited there was not a single problem or idiot. No antiMcCain stuff. No alcohol. Not a single person I wanted to punch---a first. That part was totally unexpected in 2008. And to be there with Carly, Trevor, Becky was very nice.
Second, we were sitting at Trevor's place, actually it is Christie's and it is in Andersonville, and watching TV at about 6:00 or so. It is 70 degrees and it is a totally condo neighborhood. There are lots of condos, close to each other, and because of the temperature all have open windows. So, at 6:15 when MSNBC projects Obama to win Pennsylvania you hear a roar go up that is coming out of all the open windows. I just found it very moving. It made it seem like people were once again committed and they had found a candidate that they-we could all rally around. And, to hear that reaction after just one state's projection reminded me of the passion that still existed. It was a both a tension release and a moment I won't forget.
Third. I'm not sure what they showed on TV but before Obama came out they had a minister pray and then an exMarine talk about the pledge and then a group recite it and then the National Anthem. Now I have not said the pledge or sang the Anthem since probably the Viet Nam era. I always felt it had become manipulative etc. You probably know the feeling. But, last night I found myself gradually saying the Pledge and singing the Anthem. The crowd seemed to be in a similar place. I guess to do it at a sports event is one thing but to do it at a political event takes more philosophical choice. Well like me, the crowd started out very slow to respond and then it grew and grew until most were singing. I'm guessing most people were like me and did not want to buy into fake patriotism but suddenly this was real and it involved me for the first time in years. I did not feel embarrassed but rather I felt at I was proud of America--finally.
Last--I have been waiting 40 years for Bobby to return. Barack is not Bobby but there is a thread from him to Barack. I wore a Kennedy 1968 campaign button on my shirt so that part of my past was now a part of my present. 40 years is a long time and I'm hoping we are finally rewarded.
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