Live Blogging Thursday: Obama in Durham, NC

I've just arrived on the NCCU campus in Durham where Barack Obama will host a "countdown to change" rally.

The Obama campaign has given me press credentials, the wireless signal isn't great but it's working, so I'm all set to go. I plan on starting at 4.30 pm, Obama is Scheduled to speak at 5 pm.

The event is in the O'Kelly Riddick Stadium in the middle of the NCCU campus because of the overwhelming demand for tickets. Doors opened at 3 pm and I'm guessing there's about 1500 people here right now.

Frontpaged by Anglico. Thanks LibNC!

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this will be really cool, LiberalNC

I'm looking forward to it.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

Statement on Rev. McClurkin

time to walk the walk

I have heard enough words by politicians over the years, I want to see action on his part to regain my support.

"jump in where you can and hang on"
Briscoe Darling to Sheriff Andy

take action?

and what action would you like to see taken?

For starters

He could have avoided having the bigot as the MC of the event.

Just a thought.

"85% of Republicans are Democrats who don't know what's going on." -Robert Kennedy, Jr.

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." -Voltaire

She was asking about regaining her trust.

Which to me indicates she wants him to do something now, after the mistake.
It's easy to say you shouldn't have done this or that, but everyone makes mistakes, some are bigger than others. For example i can say Edwards shouldn't have voted for the Iraq war in the past, or shouldn't have gotten a $400 haircut. Hillary shouldn't have voted for the new Iran resolution and also shouldn't have voted to give Bush authority to start the Iraq war.
Mistakes get made, in any campaign, some are bigger than others...

thanks!

When do we get a train that runs every hour or so between the triangle and Charlotte?
That's one thing I miss about Belgium, sitting in the train surfing the web on the complementary in-train internet, while relaxing with some coffee from the bar in the train and enjoying the scenery that flies by...
Damn commies :-)

I did get 51 mpg in My Prius though, but you still have to stay awake...

Oh, don't get me started...

A rail infrastructure improvement plan for North Carolina!

A Federal Interstate Rail Network!

Build the Washington->Atlanta high speed corridor!

Seriously. One of you candidates out there reading this, I'm telling you this is a winner. It's good for the economy, good for business, and good for the environment.

If someone wants a 2,000 word blog post on this, just give me a little encouragement... ;)

Consider this a little encouragement

I'm fascinated by train travel, even as it exists in NC today. It cost me less to go to DC via train than it would have to drive and took roughly the same amount of time (maybe a little longer). I loved riding the train/subway/busses in Pittsburgh to get around. In one sentence - I love public transportation. I'm interested in knowing how newer trains are fueled, and how they can affect the environment. I also have a theory that communities that rely on public transportation are closer socially than those that don't. I knew every single regular on the bus/subway combo I took to work in Pittsburgh.

So go for it - Dr. Frank. I want to read it.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

The other thing he could have done was to apologize

and say he actually made a mistake. It takes courage to say "I was wrong" but it also shows character. Obama made a mistake. I don't think he's anti-LGBT, but this was a major misstep and he refuses to own it.

SE NC Dems

Stan Bozarth

Thanks for posting this

I'm glad to hear him set himself apart. It may take a more publicly visible statement to cut through, but at least this is the right message.

I'm a bit bummed I couldn't make it over to NCCU today, (I obviously live a lot closer than you) but I just couldn't see getting back from work, with everything else going on this week. Thanks for liveblogging!

It was a nice try at a save,

but I'm not sure that it accomplished what Obama hoped that it would.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

thanks!

thanks for taking the time and energy to do this. i can't wait to read your report.

ready to go!

Marching band is playing. Tons of press around, I'm counting 13 cameras.
I'm also taking pictures but won't be able to post those until very late tonight.
See you guys at 4.30 pm!

starting off

national anthem was sung, crowd has grown to 2500.

campaign director talking

He's asking everyone to go help the campaign in South Carolina.
Says that SC isn't far, "lets go make history".
Song playing through the PA: "Ain't no stopping us now".
Disco is hip again?

disco never stopped being hip

n/t

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi

people are still pouring in to the stadium

Parking is a nightmare here, so I'm expecting a lot of folks to show up kinda late. Good thing I made my own "BlueNC PRESS" sign to hang in my car. Cops actually fell for it ;-)
Music playing" your love is lifting me higher".
Crowd is starting to shake their behinds a little :-)

A first!

Good thinking ahead.

Is there anyone here?

I'm wondering if anyone is actually reading this...

Reading it

Doing work at the same time, so the response might be delayed....

yes LiberalNC

yes
- - - - -

- - - - -
http://twitter.com/Jerimee

Double yes.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

lost my conection for a minute

Sure hop this thing doesn't crap out when Obama starts his speech...

big banner behind the stage says...

CHANGE we can believe in.

Following you LiberalNC

keep it up, you're doing an amazing job! Can hardly wait for the pics.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

Press is getting instructions now

Mayor Bell (if I understood that right) will introduce Obama, Speech should be over around 6.15 pm.
Been told we might have an opportunity to interview Obama afterwards, press starts drooling ;-)

Keep that drool off your keyboard.

"If boiling people alive best served the interests of the American people, then it would neither be moral or immoral." Max Borders, Civitas Institute

I was gonna say I had it covered in plastic, but..

that might sound nasty for other reasons.

You're Right

And, according to Under the Dome, the pair (Obama and Bell) are endorsing each other.

----
There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracts. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of the comfortable past which, in fact, never existed. - Robert F. Kennedy

----
There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of the comfortable past which, in fact, never existed. - Robert F. Kennedy

Watching Live

I'm watching live video from the local NBC affiliate...I believe it's also available from WRAL and WTVD.

Oh, how I love that marching band ;)

big group of people at the gate waiting to get in

So many people here now it's tough to guess a number.
Crowd seems to me to be about double as big as the Rock Hill, SC event I went to, which had 2000 attendees. So my guess is about 4000 here.

If you do get to interview, what questions

will you be asking?

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

Progressive Discussions

don't think I'll get a chance

My question would probably be: "euhmm...euhhhhh...how YOU doing?"

connection getting real slow...

or maybe its the site. In any case..sorry folks.
By the way...we're being watched by Secret Service from the top of the stadium roof..looks like a sniper too.
Saw their Black SUVS at the entrance too, has a big sign in the window that says Secret Service. Not very secret if you ask Me :-)

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