The rally was set to begin at 6:30, with gates opening at 5:30. I arrived at 5:00 at Boston Common to be safe. However, there was already a long line of people when I got there. While standing in line Ron Paul supporters held signs and wore T-shirts supporting their man. It made me laugh. They were standing right next to the guys with the "Demon-crats" signs that said that we're all going to Hell because we support women's rights and gay rights. Well, if I'm going to Hell, I'll see them there.
Anyway, the line moved fairly quickly and I was soon through the metal detectors that had been set up near the tennis courts. It was 5:10. That meant that I had an hour and 20 minutes before the rally was set to begin.
I'm a freshman in college and I actually had a class at 5:00 tonight. I don't make a habit of skipping classes, but this was one exception I was more than willing to make. It was well worth it (as I'll explain near the end of the blog). I was there early enough to be right at the front of the crowd, about 20 feet from the podium that Barack would be speaking at. Basically, until 6:30 I just stood there and watched the crowd grow larger. Since I was at the front it was hard to judge the actual size of the crowd, but it was definitely in the thousands.
Eventually, Barack's New England manager (I forget his actual title) came out and spoke for a few minutes. He then introduced two of the people who run the New Hampshire campaign. They talked about the big canvass that they'll be doing this weekend and they encouraged everyone to get involved. There was also a choir from some academy in Boston that sang the National Anthem and a couple other songs. It was about 7:00.
Finally, about a half hour later, Governor Deval Patrick was introduced. He endorsed Barack and gave a wonderful speech about how we need new leadership in Washington, someone who hasn't already been taken in by the insiders and the lobbyists. I hadn't heard him speak before, but I can now see why he was elected last year.
It was finally time for the main event. Barack took to the stage and worked the crowd into a frenzy. Signs waved in support, people clapped and cheered, and the campaign chant of "Fired up! Ready to go!" could be heard. It was a great experience and I was right at the front. I took a few pictures with my camera phone (all blurry, but still better than nothing) and listened to his impassioned plea for change and hope.
At about 8:20 or so Obama ended his speech and worked his way around the front of the audience to shake hands, along with Gov. Patrick. People rushed to the front and cut in front of me, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see these incredible men really up close. Luckily, I have long arms (and so does Barack). I reached as far as I could and I was able to shake hands with both Gov. Patrick and Barack. It was incredible. I come from a small town in Maine and I had never been to something like this before. But to attend one of these events AND to shake hands with the person who could be the next president was simply amazing.
Anyway, that was my night. How was your's? :)
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