NORFOLK
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama told a shivering crowd of at least 20,000 people Tuesday night at Harbor Park to not “believe for a second that the election is over” and urged them to get out, knock on doors, convince neighbors and work for the “change we need.”
“If we come together, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, disabled, not disabled,” Obama said, punching out the words like he was calling attendance. “If we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyists, or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of the status quo in Washington.”
Obama, after nearly two years on the campaign trail, is delivering a speech dubbed his “closing argument” and he did so to a crowd that may have heard these lines before, but seemed poised to burst with every rhetorical flourish.
Tuesday’s speech was his ninth Virginia appearance, a testament to the state’s battleground status. He will return Thursday for a rally in Virginia Beach, and his Republican opponent, John McCain, has scheduled a Saturday visit to an as-yet unannounced Hampton Roads location.
By the time Obama walked onto the stage just before 9:30 p.m., most of the attendees had spent a few hours waiting, chilled by 48-degree and dropping temperatures and a crisp breeze ripping in off the Elizabeth River.
Billy Milton, 21, boarded a downtown shuttle at 6:10 chanting, “Ba-rack! Ba-rack! Ba-rack!”
“This is what I like to see,” he said, looking around the bus, the crowd thickening as it picked up more passengers destined for Harbor Park. “People of all ages, because they say that Barack only appeals to young people. And people of all races. I’m feeling inspired tonight!”
Milton said he could have supported McCain, particularly when he felt that many fellow blacks were only supporting Obama because of race and not the issues. He said he now believes Obama is the strongest candidate and finds him inspirational, capable of bringing crowds to tears with his words.
“I can’t wait to see who cries tonight,” he said, then yelled, “I have tissues, y’all!”
People filled the 12,000-seat ballpark’s chairs up to the highest seats, then packed themselves shoulder to shoulder down on the ballfield. A few minutes before Obama spoke, they flooded through an opening in the centerfield wall and filled most of the outfield.
Their view of Obama himself was blocked by a media tent and stage, so they turned their heads and watched his speech on the Jumbotron.
They roared approval every time Obama unwound one of his well-practiced setups and landed the blow. One of his biggest themes was the national economy.
“It’s getting harder and harder to make the mortgage, or fill up your gas tank, or even pay electricity at the end of the month,” he said. “At a time like this, the last thing we can afford is four more years of the tired old worn-out theory of John McCain and George Bush that says we should give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope the prosperity trickles down to everyone else.”
Obama jumped from the country’s dire economic condition to a hopeful scenario in which everyone joins together and overcomes it.
“The American story has never been about things coming easy, it’s been about rising to the moment,” he said, pausing, his voice booming, “when the moment was hard. It’s about seeing the highest mountaintop from the deepest of valleys. It’s about rejecting fear and division for unity of purpose.”
He spent plenty of words throughout the speech distinguishing himself from McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. He said the stakes are too high to play political games or to try to divide the country by class, region, or “by who we are and what we believe.”
“There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it,” he said. “There are patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies.
“The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and independents, but they have fought together and bled together and died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America.”
Obama spoke for 35 minutes, his speech building to a pitch and the crowd’s reactions becoming louder.
“In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history,” Obama said. “That’s what’s at stake, that’s what we’re fighting for.”
Soon after, he was done and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” blasted over the sound system. Obama shook hands with the people who had watched from the bleachers behind him and disappeared into a mass of spectators.
Lon Wagner, (757) 222-5119, lon.wagner@pilotonline.com
Denise Batts, (757) 446-2504, denise.batts@pilotonline.com
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I wonder who the Portfolio
I wonder who the Portfolio is endorsing? Do you know TR?
Orion
Since you thought it important to point out ONE endorsement, i thought i could help you by pointing out 359 endorsements, which are breaking 3-to-1 for Obama. I realize that you believe those endorsing your opponent (in a 3-to-1 fashion) cannot be levelheaded and logical positions to take.
I did not link to poll numbers.
re: Orion - newpaper endorsements
TR wrote:
Here is a running tally of presidential endorsements by newspapers, magazines, weeklies, and others. 268 for Obama, 91 for McCain...BLAH BLAH BLAH (added childishly by Orion...)
...because the point of my link was not to show a popularity contest, but to show a newspaper could show a levelheaded, logical argument over one candidate; the RTD did. I won't bother looking into the accuracy of your information as I'm sure you are correct (sorry, was that blatant sarcasm).
I do find it interesting that the poll numbers your ilk love to use are now closing; down from 9% last week to within the margin of error.
Maybe the majority of Americans aren't as gullible as I thought...
Democratic and Republican
Democratic and Republican supporters are so blinded that they can't see that a two party system is really giving you the same results.
Stop voting for Democrats and Republicans. Besides, all you folks to is yell at each other.
You are both preaching to the same choir.
WOW! The republicans are so desperate
The republicans are so desperate they are really lashig out at everyone, instead of speaking of the qualities and issues, which McCain doesn't want to deal with.
The Obama supporter's comments are much more positive and McCain supporters are just negative. I don't get it, but I hope the McCain supporters keep it up because they will be the ones that cause McCain to lose this elkection. Pepole are getting sick of listening to it. Good job republicans!
How many people who fill
How many people who fill seats, or newspapers which endorse candidates is hardly a true stick by which to measure a president. Ben Franklin lamented the problem of democracy as being a popularity contest. In many parts of the country you can still elect prosecuting attornies, judges, and so on. Does a newspapers support or lack of do your thinking for you? How do I know you are not an employee of Mr. Obama or a newspaper? Often there is a conflict of what the person elected has to offer the person voting for them. As long as this selfish attitude persists you will in have less and less effective leadership. In a society that likes shiny things and elects those who they deem likeable, the cracks are appearing. this is no time for social experiments. We need to vote for our country first. You know what comes next. MCcain in 08'!
In response to the person
In response to the person who accused me of spreading misinformation, you may want to review the site your provided. Sponsoring a bill or co-sponsoring a bill does not make it a law. Only two laws have been passed. Your suggestion would make marijuana legal. Barney Frank sponsored a bill to decriminalize that which did not become law(I support). If you must attack me for your political cause please review the very public record that our own tax dollars provides to all of us at the senate's own website. You are not being very nice or honest people.
AM Coffee
"The primary *misinformation* that this and other papers do *not* report on is that the democratic candidate has only written two laws. One of them was to give money to an African country. How is that an accomplishment?"
You answered your own question, it's misinformation. Obama has sponsored 130 bills in this session of congress. Go here and you can find out what they are: http://thomas.loc.gov/
Orion - newpaper endorsements
Here is a running tally of presidential endorsements by newspapers, magazines, weeklies, and others. 268 for Obama, 91 for McCain. Basically a 3-to-1 ration. 48 BO endorsements represent a switch from earlier party endorsements. 5 for JM.
Disclaimer: Yes I know libwul medias hate America and they hate republican candidates. However, in '04 Kerry received 213 to GWB's 205... almost a 50/50 split.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_endorsements_in_the_United_States_presidential_election,_2008
Good Grief
Some of these posts are beyond all reason. I honestly feel some people are from places I would never want to visit. Such hate, fear, anger & disdain, for a man! A man who only wishes the best for all. Patriot, I wrote about the birth certificate for Mike C's info. No one was implying taking a photocopy of a birth certificate to a DMV office. So, what was your point, if any? Why would Mike C think he could see Obama's actual birth certificate? Why would anyone? As I wrote earlier, 1 has the right to disagree with Obama. Yet to resort to lies, misinformation & distortions isn't discourse explaining one's disagreement; it's childishness & tomfoolery, beneath the dignity of reasoned persons.
sorry elsie-eye
you're assuming this is as bad as it gets.....wishful thinking, I don't share your optimism. The only thing that WON'T surprise me is if we somehow avoid total anarchy or a coup d'eat....see ya in the soup line....
"go to your parking lot and
"go to your parking lot and identify the vehicles with obama bumper stickers. When the economy tanks you have your lay off list...."
When??!! You are kidding, right?
good idea
go to your parking lot and identify the vehicles with obama bumper stickers. When the economy tanks you have your lay off list....
Obama should lose because he
Obama should lose because he is an unqualified, socialist liberal. McCain should lose because he is also a liberal.
But, if Obama loses, we'll all just be racist. Sad indeed.
Vote Libertarian, Vote freedom!
Ok, try again
How are any of you solving anything or persuading someone to join your side when all you are doing is arguing. You realize that none of you are changing your votes, so why so animated about your choices?
If you want change, then vote third party. Stop supporting the machine that the two party system. Neither of these parties is doing anything government should be doing, it is just doing a lot that it shouldn't be doing.
Stop supporting the nanny state. Stop supporting a welfare state. Stop supporting the two party system.
Bob Barr, 2008!
I have been trolling on this
I have been trolling on this website for months. I rarely post but this week has been exceptionally irrational. One thing that is for sure is that the side supporting Obama rarely offers information. It is often rants and insults that are inresponse to statements that are level headed. I followed many of the links that have been provided. The primary misinformation that this and other papers do not report on is that the democratic candidate has only written two laws. One of them was to give money to an African country. How is that an accomplishment?
Military Spending.
Tidewater is fueled by the Department of Defense. Why would anyone vote to cut their own throat?
re: Attendance
kaikar wrote:
I find it absolutely amazing that there are people on here that are talking about fire marshal violations, etc.
Agreed, there is pettiness on both sides
Think it through Einstein (or should I say Palin). Before you start speaking of supposed facts, do your homework a bit better.
Careful Copernicus, I suggest you do your homework. Capacities are also figured by how long it would take to evacuate a mass of people from a structure or gathering place. Yes they were in violation from this standpoint...
Something everyone should read...
The Richmond Times Dispatch's editorial and endorsement of McCain. It is level headed, logical in reasoning, gives credit and criticism all around (except for Biden). I challenge all Obama supporters to read this; prove your intellect outweighs your emotions. If you are voting emotionally for the most powerful leader in the free world, that is very frightening indeed.
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/opinion/editorials/more.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-26-0058.html
Change not always good...
Obama based his campaign on "change", as in a change from the Busch years (never mind the fact The Democrats have been in control the past 2 yrs). Change isn't always a good thing. "The grass is always greener..."
Regardless of who you vote for, Obama has already bought his way in to the White House. That's wrong on several levels, the first being he promised with McCain to use public monies for his campaign. However, once he found out how much more money was available using other methods, he quickly trashed that promise and has now raised over $1 million for every day he's been on the campaign trail. I have to wonder how many contradictory promises were made for all that money that we won’t know about until it’s too late.
Re speech
And the fear and smear mud-slingers, liars, dooms day cultists and racists on these comment boards that can only attack Obama using quote-mined sound bites and hyperbolic simplifications are performing wonderfully as tools for the *base* republican base. Read their hate filled screeds below. Those are the family values they like to talk about. Hate, Fear, Dishonesty and Xenophobia are their core principals. Attacking the poor (especially those with brown skin) to serve the rich, destroying the middle class, and war, war, war are their policies. Look for a surge in ugly attacks like those named above and illustrated below. Fighting is the only way they know how to win. Dirty is the only way they know how to fight. These are the base republicans. Those folks should break all thier mirrors, so they won't have to see yourselves in them. If you support McCain and don't feel you match this description, look around at your peers. Who you stand with says something about what you stand for.
RE:speech
"Submitted by Ms. Poppie on Wed, 10/29/2008 at 11:10 pm.
Obama may have spoken for 35 minutes but a "Feel Good" speech does not mean the man is truthful, it means he's a good liar!"
Your logic doesn't make a lot of sense, but I would rather hear a feel good speech then listen to John McCain and the diva Sarah Palin (who is now campaiging for herself). The only think McCain and Palin do is attack Senators Obama and Biden. It has become disgusting!
Yes give me the feel good speech any day that deals with isues and the status of our county any day instead of the blatant lies of the McCain ticket.
puzzling
i have listened with my mind heart and soul.and as of yet i haven't figured out what or who BHO is and what he actually stands for.he changes his promises as often as he calls for change in America.grant you all of these politicians are going to make promises.they all will tell you what you want to hear.but for me i don't want to put a man in office that has had barley a year actually doing his job as a politician.these are hard times right now and America is going to have a tough enough time without having to let someone run this country on OJT.i think the only assets this man has is that he is very intelligent,and has a quick tongue.let one party control this country and we are certainly in for some change alright,be prepared to pull your pockets inside out.we are going to wind up a much weaker nation.vote in what you believe in,not for the color but for who you think will do the better job.
Attendance
I find it absolutely amazing that there are people on here that are talking about fire marshal violations, etc. People are saying Harbor Park only holds 12,000 so they bent the rules, etc. The truth of the matter is that, yes, Harbor Park seats about 12,000 - in the seats! That number does not include how many people you can safely get on the field. Think it through Einstein (or should I say Palin). Before you start speaking of supposed facts, do your homework a bit better.
Speech
Obama may have spoken for 35 minutes but a "Feel Good" speech does not mean the man is truthful, it means he's a good liar!
Geez
First
Submitted by CH on Wed, 10/29/2008 at 2:19 pm.
First, the Pilot cannot oppress your comments. If anything they suppress them. Second, I support Obama and I have had many of my posts rejected, so I seriously doubt that the Pilot is exclusively targeting McCain supporters. Get a clue.
Yes Sir Thank you. Maybe thay R just undapaid or ovawhelmed.
Mike c
You're not alone. Evertime I post my 7 years of the greatest economy Americas ever had under Bush, and how the Dems spin the big 8 year lie, they make it disappear. Gee, imagine that. LOL
How true!
Submitted by justanotheruser on Wed, 10/29/2008 at 9:16 pm.
"Is it just my imagination or has this story been at or near the top of the main page for 24 hours now? Does the VP leave other stories up for comment this long? (Don't answer, because I know.) Your bias is showing...again."
Also, they will bury a story about Lucas that has negative posts in less than 6 hours.!
A puzzle for the feeble minded
It appears that something about Obama has divided this nation. I wonder what it is about "that one" that so many die hard right wing radicals can't stomach. There is definitely *something* those base republicans don't like about him. What a puzzle that is. There is something different about him that frightens hard core right wingers . . . hmmm . . . hmmm . . . what could it be? one of these things is not like the other . . .
Love this story! (Edited for length)
Suzy had a box of small kittens out on the corner with a sign 'FREE KITTENS'. A line of black cars drove up and stopped and a white-haired old man stepped out. 'Hi, little girl, what do you have?' he asked. 'Kittens,' Suzy says. 'They're so small, their eyes are not open yet.' 'What kind of kittens are they?' he asked. 'REPUBLICANS,' says Suzy. The man smiled broadly. Sensing a great photo op, the old man, John McCain, called his campaign manager. They planned to return the next day with all the media and tell everyone about the kittens. The next day, the motorcade pulled up to Suzy again. It included vans and trucks from ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and the Republican Puppet News-FOX. McCain got out and walked up to Suzy. 'I want you to tell all these nice news people what kind of kittens you're giving away.' 'Yes, sir,' Suzy said, 'they're all DEMOCRAT kittens.' Surprised, McCain sputtered, 'But yesterday when I stopped, you told me that they were REPUBLICANS.' Suzy says, 'Yes sir. But today, they have their eyes open.'