9.30.2008

All Things Unbelievable.

Nevada is a Swing State. All the candidates keep criss-crossing the Silver State trying to influence the voting base.

And when I heard that Obama was going to be back again, I knew I ::had:: to go. So this morning, Ken stayed with the girls (yes, I married a Wonderful Man) and Alex and I woke up at 5:40 am to go stand in line and see Barack Obama.

By the time we arrived, shortly after 6 am, there was already a line of about 1,000 people. It would soon swell to over 12,000. We were so early that we got to position ourselves against a barrier where supposedly he would walk by. And all I could think of was how ::unbelievable:: it would be if he shook Alex's hand.


But in the mean time, there was a lot of waiting. We met some of the nicest people and listened to an awesome soundtrack that started off with U2s "Beautiful Day" and ended with Stevie's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." Things couldn't get better or could they?

And then they announced "Barack Obama, the next President of the United States" and pure rock-star pandemonium erupted.

What was truly amazing is that when he was done with his speech, he took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and went and shook as many hands as possible.

Including....

One little Cub Scout's hand!!! When he saw Alex, he looked down and said "Well, hey there!" because Alex was one of the first of three kids right in the front of the barrier. See the photo below?? That's Mr. Obama giving Alex a "Well, hey there!"

And that's the shot of Obama letting go of Alex's hand...

And here's an AP Photo...and yes, I took Alex out of school for this. As I told him afterward, it may only happen once in his lifetime and he will remember it always. It will be part of history, not just his but all of ours.


So I'll leave you with his last words...that still ring in my ears...can't even begin to describe how inspirational, uplifting and positive our experience was -
"Let's give our children the future they deserve, and let's act with
confidence and courage to show the world that at this moment, in this election,
the United States of America is still the last, best hope on Earth. Thank you
Nevada. And God bless you, and may God bless America."
I highly encourage each and every one of you to go and see a rally in your town. I'd of course prefer it was for Obama but even if it's not, you need to see our democratic process in action - it is truly priceless.

2 comments:

Emily R. said...

Come on this is a living history lesson!!! I would have done the same thing! Obama is coming to Cincinnati on Thursday! I wish I could get out early from work to go to the rally :D

Excellent pictures btw!!

Sophie said...

Oh,if there's any way you can go...you should!!! It was truly awe inspiring.