Looking back over the last twelve hours, I still keep pinching myself to make sure it was all real. Today, July 5, 2016, I had the great privilege of witnessing Obama and Clinton’s historic joint appearance in Charlotte, NC, from the very front row, thanks to VIP tickets from the Mecklenburg County Democrats (thanks, guys!!!). Quite frankly I am amazed that the timing worked out with my trip and that everything fell into place, but somehow it all did! What a day!
Everything started bright and early this morning. One of my supporter housing hosts had volunteered to work the event starting at 10, so her daughter dropped us off at the Convention Center around 9:30. Already the general admission line had started to form and the vendors had set up their button and t-shirt displays.
I bought about $20 worth of buttons (mostly as gifts, though I wore a few today) before heading around to the designated VIP entrance. While certainly not to the same extent, a line had also already started forming over there. Fortunately I came prepared to camp out for a few hours with my sunscreen already applied, a few snacks, a disposable bottle of water, and Hard Choices (what else would I read in line for such an event?). It actually wasn’t too bad for the most part. People in line were pretty friendly, and while I did read a few pages of my book, I mostly chatted with my compadres. Standing next to me was a young lady who came over from Knoxville, TN, to pick up her mother in Shelby to come to the event, and a young man who had just moved to Charlotte from Austin. However, I think I won the prize for furthest distance traveled, at least out of the people in my immediate surroundings:-p They ended up shifting our line a bunch of times which was a little chaotic and frustrating, but the good news was that the doors actually opened a little bit early so we could put an end to that particular madness and get out of the heat.
Once inside the Convention Center, I followed the directions to the VIP area and found myself right up by the railing, just to the left of the podium. Next to me were a husband and wife who had driven up this morning from South Carolina, and two amazing older African-American women from Charlotte, Alyce and Liz. All of them absolutely made my day with their enthusiasm and joy. Alyce, Liz, and I took a few selfies while we waited around, and freaked out together about how excited we were to see POTUS and Hillary together, not even 15 feet in front of us. Could we believe our LUCK?!? No, we could not.
Gradually, we began to hear from the introductory speakers. First up was U.S. Representative Alma Adams.
Then Robin Briendel & Patsy Keever, both from the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Next up was U.S. Senate Candidate Deborah Ross, who dug into her (Republican) opponent Richard Burr as basically a tool of the one percent while touting her progressive credentials and desire to get things done for those who have been left behind in North Carolina.
Here’s hoping that seat will flip in November!
We also heard from North Carolina State Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is running to oust Pat McCrory as NC Governor.
After HB 2, which Cooper rightly blasted for it’s devastating impact on business and as, you know, being a civil rights issue, I would truly like nothing more than to see that governorship flip to blue. Overall, as an out-of-stater, I really enjoyed getting to see the local candidates up close, even if I won’t personally be able to vote for them in the end.
Now, onto the main event, what you’ve all been waiting for! We knew we were getting close to go time when they started passing out “Stronger Together” signs for the behind-the-stage crowd and a small army of press and secret service entered stage left. I know I’ve previously described the sensation in the air at this point in a presidential candidate event as being like the approach to the top of the first hill on a roller coaster. After today, I stand by that analogy. The anticipatory charge in the air is so visceral and so real that you can’t help but get a little caught up in it. As the announcer came over the sound system to introduce them, everyone readied their cell phone cameras to capture the moment…
...and then “Fight Song” blasted over the speakers, the curtain opened, and Obama and Clinton took their first steps out on stage together as official partners in the 2016 campaign. The crowd went absolutely wild.
As for me, the emotion and excitement of the moment was so intense that I just ended up laughing uncontrollably, while continuing to scream, yell, and chant with the crowd. Also I think Hillary waved to me at one point!
Hillary took the podium first to make her argument for the continuation of the Obama legacy. I have to say she looks like a natural at that podium with the Presidential Seal!
One thing that really stood out to me in both Clinton’s speech and Obama’s was just the sheer joy both of them exuded in the moment. They clearly respect each other very much, and it’s obvious they really enjoy working together. When Obama told their foes-to-friends story and then gave a ringing endorsement of Clinton’s character, her work ethic, and her general awesomeness, it was even more powerful with that bit of context. Now for his set of pics!
The next sequence should just be called “Why I Love Being on Team Blue.” Apologies that the lighting got a little weird there, but maybe we can just take it as some sort of sign that we have the cosmic light on our side or something:-p
As they came around the ropeline, we were basically told by secret service “no selfies.” Womp. But! That meant handshakes and facetime.
Gotta admit I kinda fangirled it this time when Hillary got to me...as she shook my hand I blurted out excitedly, “I can’t wait to call you Madam President!” To which she bemusedly responded, “If we all do our part, you will!” Then POTUS shook my hand and I got to simply say, “Thank you,” since like three people were trying to talk to him at once. Also he is really tall up close. :-p :-D :-) *explodes into a cloud of glitter, sunshine, and rainbows* On a slightly more serious note, I believe Liz actually got a hug from Obama, so as POTUS and POTUS-to-be headed away, I turned towards her and with tears in her eyes she grabbed me and hugged me hard. She was clearly over the moon, and it was really special to be able to share that excitement with her, someone whom I will likely never see again but whom I will remember for a long time.
All in all, as an ardent '08 Obama supporter and now a committed Hillary supporter, it was so special for me to see these two campaigning together in person. By the end of the '08 primary, I wished there was some way I could vote for both of them. Funny how that's worked out! Sentimentality aside though, let’s all get to work, because gosh darn it, we need to turn North Carolina blue, and I really do want to call Hillary Madam President come January!
Roadtripping for Hillary is an independent initiative by violining247 to travel across the eastern swing states in an effort to elect Hillary and other downballot Democrats in November. To support this effort, please consider a donation through GoFundMe.