Through luck and circumstance, I found myself parking three blocks from Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia. For the 6th time in this election cycle, I was about to take my camera and experience an event to see, potentially, the next President of the United States.
This was the third time I have seen Barack Obama. This time, there was a different excitement. I was going to see this event through a new lens. An average guy, who loves to take pictures, and write about what I experience, managed to secure a press pass for the Obama Rally.
I gather my things, and I exit the car. Immediately, I see an older woman ahead of me. I ask her if she is excited about the rally today.
“Oh yes I am! Did you see the Colin Powell Endorsement?” she asked me excitedly. I said I had seen it. She then launched into a passionate discussion into the Powell endorsement, the 150 million dollars Obama raised in September, and how can anyone vote for McCain after all of this.
“Powell said everything…. Everything” she said emphatically.
We talked more on our way to the park. She shared with me parts of her life. She lived in Pennsylvania until very recently, her Husband used to work in the steel plants there until they closed down. He retired (luckily) and they moved down to Virginia, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She was excited that her 8 year old grandson was coming to the rally “I want him to see history in the making!”
We arrived nearly 3 hours before the gates open, and there was already an incredible line forming. I bid my new friend adieu, and went to the Media entrance.
Things were very laid back, but I definitely felt out of place. There photographers there were from major papers, and were unconcerned with someone like me. There were a lot of volunteers, and I struck up conversations with many of them. Some of the volunteers were excited to talk with me, while others were happy to talk, but not be written about. After getting my credentials, I made it into the press area.
The crowd, to say it lightly, was huge. People were streaming into the park area, and packing as closely as possible. People of all ages, races, social backgrounds and the like were all there for one reason: to see a man with a funny name talk about the future of this nation. The army of volunteers was reaching out to the crowd soliciting help for the upcoming election. Loudoun County is going to be one of THE key counties in Virginia, and that knowledge seemed to be in the air. People were pumped up, people are ready, and people are eager to make a change.
As the sun was setting, and a brisk wind kept coming through the crowd, no one was deterred. Not the old Veterans of the Korean War, or the 8 year old kids playing catch football. The estimated 30,000 people who came were enjoying the brisk late afternoon weather, as Mark Warner and Gov. Tim Kaine introduced Barack Obama.
Obama spoke about real people. He spoke about “Real Virginia” and how it is all “Real Virginia.” He spoke about uniting as one people. He spoke about bipartisanship. He talked about healthcare, and his mother. He spoke about the themes of his campaign, the same themes he spoke about 20 months ago on a cold day in Springfield, IL. To me, he has matured n this race. He has found himself, and with that, the nation has embraced him. He is not resting on his laurels. Someone called him President Obama in the crowd. He told them to not be presumptuous, and “ I don’t count my chickens, we need to finish this race strong” he reiterated to the cheering crowd. There is no cockiness, there is no assumption, just an earnest belief that we have to keep fighting.
The best part came after the rally, with 30,000 people streaming from the venue. The road was closed and the crowd made its way down the street. In the twilight, for blocks, the crowd simply walked, packed. I have never seen that before in the 6 events I have attended over the last 14 months. This is no ordinary race, this is a movement. This image will stay with me for the rest of my life, and though I may not see another Obama rally in this election. I do plan on being there for his Inauguration. And I will work every day until this election to make sure he is elected. Volunteer, give time, give money, anything that will help Obama win Virginia, win the election, and begin the changes that we so desperately need.
More Pictures are found here, and thank you for the opportunity!