Tomorrow morning, I'm leaving at 6 a.m. to take the two hour drive to Springfield, IL for Obama's first speech with his vice presidential nominee. Tonight, as everyone waits for the VP selection, I'm excited that I'll finally get to see the movement for change in action. Follow me below the fold for more about this event and the VP.
Okay, this is honestly the closest Obama is going to get to my neck of the woods before the election in November. I live in Illinois, and if there's a part of the country that's a definite lock for the BO campaign, it's Illinois.
So I was excited to find out Tuesday that Obama would be appearing Saturday at the Old Statehouse. It'll likely be the last time he appears here before the election.
I'm riding to the event with a couple of photojournalists who have to be there early to check in their cameras in with security, so I have to show up early (9 a.m.) instead of at noon. Of course, I'm anticipating that there will already be an incredibly long line when I get there. I'm taking a small digital camera and a digital audio recorder and I hope to talk to some people while I'm in line.
As I was thinking about this tonight - listening to Olbermann and Matthews on MSNBC - it hit me that I am not that concerned about the veep pick. I know, I know, there have been a huge number of veep diaries lately. Will it be Biden? Kaine? Bayh? Clinton? Snoopy? But honestly, I'm not that concerned.
Honestly, I'm not going to vote for a vice president. I'm going to vote for the next leader of the United States. That's the person who carries the flag.
I'm going to Springfield to hear Obama. To experience the passion and excitement of those who have invested their efforts in securing the future of America through a campaign based on hope and change.
And tomorrow, as I watch the concern troll diaries scroll onto and off the front page, I'll be remembering the time I saw the most important movement for change in a decade, and remembering the real concern - that America gets another four years of Bush policies.
When I'm feeling concerned, I've got a playlist. Here it is:
I'm always struck by the line about the little girl in Dillon, SC and the little boy on the streets of L.A.
We are the ones. What a powerful thought. Obama has said it's not about him. It's about us. Whatever VP candidate he picks will have to sign on to that message. It's not the politicians, but the people who make the change.
From the Puerto Rico primary.
And now to add a new one, from Dave Stewart:
Honestly, I just found this one, so it's taking a while for it to grow on me. Lots of cameos in the video, however.
I'm hoping to grab lots of Obama paraphrenalia on Saturday and get a sense of hope from this event. And I'll post pics as a I get them uploaded.
peace, and safe travels
UPDATE:
Darian Dauchan performs his poetry about Obama:
UPDATE 2:
FIRED UP! READY TO GO!
And a mashup: