This was an amazing experience.
Thanks to Brent, and all of the other campaign staff and volunteers for the behind the scenes press access.
If you've seen the video from the Richmond, VA rally, then you'd have a good idea of what was among the most inspiring things about this rally.
According to most reports, the turnout was between 30,000-35,000 and the energy there was amazing. I actually had to stop myself from cheering several times because I was on one of the press platforms, and not in the crowd.
Pictures below the cut.
First up was Judy Feder. She's in a tight race against an incumbent Republican, so throw her some love if you can. Her speech wasn't the most inspiring, but she's incredibly smart and we can use some more representatives who know a thing or two about health care.
After her, came the benediction. Non-denominational and with the crisp fall air, just reminded me of a wonderful beginning for Thanksgiving.
Two Obama volunteers then took the stage to talk about volunteering to help GOTV in Virginia. One of the brilliant things done during this rally was the groups of volunteers with clipboards who walked by the lines of thousands. These volunteers gathered names and contact information with dates for people to sign up for canvassing and phone banking.
The Leesburg volunteers really stepped up for this one.
Mark Warner and Tim Kaine both gave fabulous speeches. The key theme was that we really can turn Virginia blue, but we CANNOT leave anything to chance. Like Kos says, we're going to have to leave everything on the road for this one.
I'm already signed up for election protection work and I signed up for additional canvassing for every free day I have between now and the election.
If you don't like talking to people, then find a local campaign office where you can do data entry or serve as a driver to get people or signs or literature to the polls.
Hell, dropping off a case of bottled water, some soda or some home-cooked food to your local campaign office is also a way to help the cause. Show up, drop the food off and leave. You don't have to be social at all.
There are so many ways to help. Find one that's right for you so you can take credit for this campaign too. This is OUR campaign.
If you can't see the slideshow here, then you can find the entire set of rally pictures on my Flickr page.