Things I learned today in Missoula, Montana:
- Obama wants to learn to flyfish.
- Obama likes to say "Missoula", because it has too many vowels, just like "Obama".
- Thousands of Missoulians are willing to stand in line starting well before the 8AM opening doors on a cold morning with snow flurries to see Obama speak. A few thousand are even willing to watch on a video screen outside since they were a little late lining up.
The crowd stretched in multiple directions, zig zagging through the campus of the University of Montana. Despite numerous switchbacks, the line was extremely well mannered and everyone was pleasant.
The Adams Center was filled to capacity.
Obama does his thing.
Obama or Obama, 2008!
I took this shot last night. Someone made a small peace symbol on Waterworks Hill, former site of a huge reflector painted with a red peace sign, which was removed a few years ago.
What can I say? It was great to see Obama in person...I had heard to speech before, but he was definitely more impressive in person. I haven't checked the official reports of attendance, but I am guessing 10,000+, especially since there was an overflow crowd in the outdoor football stadium.
Not bad in a city of 100,000.
(more pictures coming shortly, I am on a terrible connection)
UPDATE: "It is good to be in Missoula," he said. "You guys have a nice deal around here. This is some pretty country out here. This is some pretty country. I think I need to learn fly-fishing - get some waders, go out there, clear my head. We may have to come back to Missoula, there’s no doubt about it."