Written during the event today and posted late due to technical difficulties. Damn phone.
In mid-August of 2004, I attended the Portland, Oregon rally held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There, an overwhelming crowd of nearly 50,000 people converged to greet and hear the Democratic Party's Nominee, John Kerry. My early arrival (about 7:30 a.m.) offered me the chance to be up against the barrier and afforded me the chance to shake both Senator Kerry's and Ms. Heinz-Kerry's hands (he arrived a little later than 12:30 p.m. as I recall.) Photos viewed later that week, showed the scene to be one that was indeed very impressive in panorama.
THEN -->
After actively volunteering for Senator Obama's campaign since February of 2007, and working the Portland rally at the Coliseum (the one where Governor Richardson endorsed Senator Obama) I'm here again, awaiting the Senator's arrival, and putting my memory of 2004 into contrast.
After all, this is still the Primary. Right?
Tell that to over 75,000 people on an 80°F Portland afternoon.
TODAY -->
I was told by a party insider that the coordinator of this event was the same that did Kerry's. It shows. Before me I see a similar set-up as Senator Kerry's podium with a few notable changes (likely learned from the past). The stage is higher which means those of us on the downslope of the hill can see him better. There's a separate stage for the band (not just Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora in duet this time) with an enclosed spectator's area all to itself. Those with "Red Tickets" got into that area and had a plain view of Senator Obama. Smart thinking to separate.
The top prize though goes to the removal of the walking path to the stage for the Senator. For Kerry, walking up between a path of barriers while mobs clamor for a photo or handshake prior to the stump was not the wisest move in regards to safety. This time, that was reserved for after with Senator Obama speaks since the masses in 2004 pushed their way to the barriers en masse and nearly sandwiched Kerry and Teresa between Union steel bars. No such problems this time around.
People are filling up the Hawthorne bridge, closed today to bike and pedestrian traffic only. The line to get in stretches possibly a full mile back. Glad I came early, and that's with a "Blue VIP Ticket".
We're entertained by The Decemberists. A local band gaining a lot of national time and interest (some know these guys for the "Guitarmageddon" stint with the band's guitarist on the Colbert Report). I've seen them live before, and have my own opinions of their poppy-sound. To save face, I ask the guy next to me what he thinks. "I've never hear them before, but they sound a lot like Ben Folds Five only whiny". I smile slightly in a neutral response.
A local community organizer comes out to tell all that are assembled (and to drag this out a little so as to give Senator Obama time for photo ops likely taking place back stage) about the OCO program and the need for volunteers to step up in the final hours before Tuesday. She engaged the crowd in a passive "Fired up! Ready to Go!" chant. Moving on.
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR:3rd CD) comes out to fire up the crowd. He's appreciative of Senator Clinton's campaign in a way I've not really heard until today.
"[Hillary Clinton] has forever shattered the myth that a woman cannot be President."
Don't take that one out of context, Gerry. That was a public acknowledgment of the glass ceiling's fractured state. The crowd responds with overwhelming support for this statement.
Earl's also been one to get a zinger in when he can. Today's no exception, given the melee of verbal ammunition the GOP has offered as of late. Like a good Willamette wine, he picked something regional yet appealing to those of any geographical taste.
"The Republicans unveiled their new slogan of ‘Change You Deserve’. Which is not just a bit of plagiarism of Barack Obama, but a registered trademark of an anti-depressant. Which is what the Republicans will need come November!"
Laughter and applause follows for several seconds. He finishes and we are again thrust into musical interlude.
Around 2:35 p.m. we hear over the loud speakers:
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, the Next First Family of the United States. The Obamas.
All four arrive to opening music and look over the crowd. The girls are amazed at the scene and both cling to Michelle. All wave for the cameras then their youngest hides her face in a mock game of peak-a-boo. As the ladies leave the stage, Senator Obama gazes over the masses here and thanks Portlanders for coming out in such a large number on such a beautiful day.
Thanks to all... what... 40,000 of you.
Seems about right from my vantage point; but I'm beginning to suspect that we've indeed dwarfed Kerry's 2004 rally by a couple 10K.
(More to come... I’ll add personal photos and video after they upload.)
UPDATE #1: Now with personal slideshow of uploaded images.
http://img253.imageshack.us/...
(someone let me know how to embed the slideshow and I'll do it. I'm not afraid to admit my failings at .html.)
UPDATE #2: Northwest Cable News has made the entire rally available with excellent coverage and NO VOICEOVER available online. Now, you can be there and add to the 75,000 Oregonians (and I suspect Washingtonians too) that attended this amazing event. Now considered, "The Largest Attended Political Event in Oregon State History". That's bigger than the "Little Beirut" rally in the early '90s.