Live Blogging from Obama Event in Ames Part 1

I am at Hilton Coliseum in Ames at the Barack Obama campaign rally. I will try to live blog as much as I can and then will edit it a little when I get home. The stage is in the middle of the floor with people and media on the floor. The doors opened at 11:00. I showed up at 11:10 and 3/4ths of the seats were already full. They weren't planning on opening up the upper sections, but they are half full. There was a pretty good band playing before called The Faculty Lounge that got the crowd pumped with 70's funk music.


12:00 Brent Wynja, Story Co. Democrats Vice Chair, is up speaking. He says this is the largest crowd for a campaign kickoff rally ever in Story Co.

12:05 Selden Spencer is on stage introducing the elected officials and thanking everyone for coming. Spencer says that it is up to us to demand a democracy that has the best interest of everyone. This is definitely the largest crowd that Spencer has spoke in front of. Probably bigger than the state convention and the Harkin Steak Fry. And no, Spencer did not endorse Obama.

12:08 There has been like 3 songs by the Dixie Chicks playing over the speakers. Seems like an odd choice for Obama. Next rally they need a mix tape.

12:12: The president of the ISU Democrats is speaking. She is introducing State Treasurer Tom Fitzgerald and Attorney General Tom Miller. John Deeth says that Miller and Fitzgerald have endorsed Obama.

12:17 Obama and his wife Michelle is introduced. A funk song is playing. I don't know the name, but the words are very fitting... "Give it up to the people, Give them what they want." (edit: the song was "Give the People What They Want" by the O'Jays.

12:20 Fitzgerald is speaking. Fitzgerald announces that he one of the co-chairs of his campaign. Fitzgerald says that we don't know what problems we will face and we need someone who wil lmake good decisions. Obama was the only one who was against the war from the get-go. Says we need someone who can bring the country together and Obama is the one to do that.

12:23 Tom Miller is up now. Miller says that great leaders step up when we face great challenges. Miller says that Obama has the charisma and can connect with people. Obama has the vision of a America where special intersets dont' rule and sees that our nation needs to be brought together. Says that Obama is the smartest person to graduate from Harvard law. Miller is giving a great introducion. Miller leaves by saying imagine Obama as a world leader. Obama would be a 180 degree change from Bush and would bring diplomacy and peace to the world.

12:28 Obama takes the microphone and immediately leaves the podium and walks around. He is wearing his typical casual, no tie look. Is thanking Tom Miller and Fitzgerald. Met Miller ate the Harkin Steak Fry, got some cheers, and said that he enjoyed the event and ate well.


12:31 Obama is thanking the college democrats and Jeremy Zeimmer, who leads the Students for Obama group on campus. Thanks Selden Spencer and says we need a good Dr. in Washington. Thanks the rest of the state legislators and Jan Bauer, chair of the Story Co. Democrats. Says that Miller was wrong, the smartest person to graducate from Harvard law is his wife Michelle. Tells the young men that their goal in life is to marry a person better than they and improve their DNA.