Barack Obama - Presidential Campaign 2008 - General Election Events
Barack Obama - Joe Biden Rally
Dublin Coffman High School - Dublin, OH
August 30, 2008
Email me with any
questions, comments or
whatever (feel free to
say hi!)  I'd love to hear
from you!

Heather

August 30, 2008: Barack Obama and Joe Biden were in Dublin, OH - YEA!  I was told on Wednesday that he
was going to be there because it was to be released to the press at 5pm on that day.  So - I found out, I was all
excited and then - about 5-10 minutes later, Elaina told me that it hadn't been released yet and that I had to
keep it a secret until it was.  AAAHHHH!  You know how hard it is for ME of all people to actually keep a
secret?  AAAAHHH! After the convention, they're traveling together for only 3-4 days before splitting up to
cover more territory, so this was a real treat to see them together.

Well fortunately, the next morning, the Email went out announcing all the information, so I didn't have keep it
quiet for long.  So - since Elaina had a couple of preferred seating tickets for me, I invited my friend, Renee to
come along.  I also ended up with a few extra tickets that I gave to a couple more friends at work, Erin &
Tammy.  Renee and I have been watching Barack Obama since he gave his convention speech back in 2004 for
John Kerry.  

Renee and I volunteered for the event.  So - we showed up at 115pm or so at the site.  Doors open at 430,
program started at 645.  People were there lining up by 2pm.  Well - we had no idea going in if it were going to
be held inside at the gym or outside so when it was outside, we ended up spending about 7 hours outdoors - in
the hot sun.  Yeah - I'm fried.  One lady in line must have felt sorry for me (because she knew the inevitable) so
she offered me some sunscreen - which I happily took!  Obama supporters are good people!

There were lots of speakers.  Not sure who some of the locals were, but we were able to hear Senator Sherrod
Brown and Governor Ted Strickland.  (I've been hearing him speak a lot lately!)

There were gobs and gobs of people - about 15K or more, some said.  When it came time to start the program,
Renee and I went in the front group of people - in front of the podium.  Well - we were back about 15-20
people or so, but we could still see.  (We were all standing)  For some reason though, this wonderful lady  in
front of us saw that I was short (still am) and took me under her wings to help more forward.  It was funny
because it was as if she knew everyone there and was bubbly and full of life.  We moved up a few times and I
ended up being about 3 people behind the barrier and got some great pictures.  Silly me though, I didn't get a
picture of her.  If it weren't for her, though, I wouldn't have been able to get close enough for those pictures or
to shake Obama's hand!  She called herself my Guardian Angel for the day!  :-)  Like I said - Obama supporters
are just GOOD PEOPLE!

The exciting part happened after Obama and Biden spoke when Obama walked the perimeter of the barrier,
shaking everyone's hands.  He came around and I got to shake the hand of the next president of the United
States.  YEA!
1:15pm -  Just arrived and checked in.  
Volunteers - we were all fired up and ready to go!
Obama supporters - happily waiting in line.  OK - patiently - waiting in line!  
Our next President and Vice President of the United
States of America: Barack Obama and Joe Biden!!!
I just love how many
cameras went up when
Obama and Biden
came out to meet us!
One of the Secret
Service guys - looks
rather menacing,
doesn't he?
Look how close I go to him!  YEA!  These were
taken after I shook his hand and while the person
behind me was reaching over my head and kind
of pushing me to the right.  Yeah - this was the
coziest part of the day!  HA!
The end of a very
(very) long day!