Wednesday was an amazing day – the best of this trip so far. North Carolina is still a battle ground state – one which, if Obama carries it, could effectively clinch the election – and as such the candidates are making frequent visits here. Biden was here a couple of days ago, Michelle Obama was here Wednesday, too – and yesterday we had Ashley Judd campaigning to get out the student vote. But, most importantly; Obama was back for a rally in Raleigh (makes me smile every time I say that...).
Our dear Field Organizer, mr Spencer White, had managed to get us VIP tickets – so at 08h30 we were off, four of us in the car. We arrived in Raleigh to find lines stretching three blocks – and thanked Spencer is our minds for getting us VIP tickets. We parked illegally – and hoped the officer handing out parking tickets wouldn’t be Republican.
After buying the mandatory t-shirt, waiting in line, going through security checks etc, we finally found ourselves inside the Halifax Mall, much closer to the stage than I would have thought. People were still cramming into the big outdoor mall and the atmosphere was like only the Americans can create it; nothing like boring Danish politics (see previous entry). It’s a show – and you’re the spectator.
The pre-show started with a few introductions, then a local field organizer for the campaign, who was given his 15 minutes of fame. Like at a sports game, the breaks were filled with music ranging from U2 to ‘Only in America’ (country; check http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/brooks-and-dunn/only-in-america-4920.html for a glimpse of the American dream). Then the pledge of allegiance (all turn towards the big American flag and put their hands on their chest) and then a choir performing The Star-Spangled Banner. But finally the rock star arrived...!
From where I am standing we can see the little white tent where he is hiding– and the camera eagerly waiting for him to step out. And off it goes ! Jeers, Obama signs everywhere, Stars and Stripes ! He comes onto the stage, takes a tour, radiates confidence and calm, before settling the crowd down to start his speech – and the rest is a solid performance by a genuine man. Mixing standard stump speech lines with issues important to the voters of North Carolina, while still managing not to look like your typical practiced speech (it is, though; he gave almost the same speech a day later in Missouri. That’s the name of the game). He doesn’t promise too much, either; when commenting on the many jobs shipped overseas (a touchy topic), he admits that many will not come back from the low-wage countries. Instead he emphasizes how he intends to create new jobs through the promotion of green energy, making USA a frontrunner on e.g. solar and wind energy (Vestas, watch your back !). On education, he intends to hire an army of new teachers and pour lots of money into the education system (my 15 year old friend coming down with us in the car looks content) – but also emphasizes how education is the responsibility of the parents, how they have to turn off the TV and the PlayStation and do something active with their kids (my 15 year old friend freezes). At some point, while Obama is laying out his policies on education and health care, a woman next to me in the crowd asks ‘how can you NOT like this guy ?’.
Suddenly a guy somewhere in the crowd faints – and Obama, seeing this, asks whether he is okay, asks for a Samaritan to get there and asks people around him to make space. ‘You gotta eat before these rallies, people – remember that ! Now, what was I talking about...?’. After the end of the show, he checks in again – and throws his water bottle to the poor (now, probably very happy) guy. Obamania will continue for at least another week, but this show must come to an end, because there’s another rally in Florida later that night, from which Obama will be transmitted live on national television. So the rock concert ends with Obama walking around the edge of the stage, taking his time, touching as many people from the crowd as possible (Secret Service must hate this part !). Unfortunately I was just about three meters too far away from the fence, with a few too many eager people between me and the dude himself. But Achiri, one of the guys with me in the car from Durham, makes a snap move and manages to shake his hand. The guy is 15 – he will remember this for the rest of his life ! Right, Achiri ?¨
Pumped, we walk out of the mall, again buy the mandatory t-shirt (I bought another 3...), bumper stickers and fridge magnets. From now on, the rental car goes by the name The Obamobile....
As a fitting closing note for the day, Obama goes live on 5 national networks at 20h00 with a so-called infomercial. America tunes in to 30 minutes of un-interrupted (you do not interrupt an infomercial with commercials...), pre-arranged, no-annoying-McCain-to-debate, sweet-background-music Obamania. Interspersed with clips from the lives of average Americans (where was Joe the Plumber ?), Obama re-iterates (if, somehow you have managed to miss them) his political views on the economy, energy, healthcare, education, foreign policy and all. Was it a bit too much ? Yes, perhaps. Did he make sense ? Yes; it was clear cut. Was he presidential ? Certainly.
PS – pictures will follow ASAP
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