A rock star roar greets Obama

[Life Long Dem]

Adoring crowd in Tampa roars for Obama

The St. Petersburg Times | May 22, 2008

By Janet Zink


TAMPA — The line outside the St. Pete Times Forum started forming early Wednesday morning. By 10 a.m. it wound around the building. People young and old, black and white, parents and children.

...Spectators streamed in clutching cameras and snacking on hot dogs, nachos and sodas from concession stands while speakers blared a playlist that included a heavy dose of Stevie Wonder tracks.

...As Obama made his way to the podium just before 1 p.m., the cheers reached rock-concert decibel levels.

"It's good to be back in Florida," Obama told the enthusiastic crowd, who occasionally chanted "O-bam-a! O-bam-a!" before and during the 35-minute speech. "I know you guys have been holding down the fort."

Supporters screamed out, "We love you," and Obama answered, "I love you back." They booed at the mention of George Bush. They stood and cheered wildly when he promised to unite the country. And they pumped their fists in the air and chanted "Yes we can" when Obama pledged to bring together all Americans — black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay and straight.


...Obama outlined key components of his own platform, including:

• A $1,000 per family tax cut paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.

• A $4,000 yearly college-tuition credit to every student in exchange for community service.

• Eliminating income taxes on Social Security payments.

• Changing corporate bankruptcy laws to protect worker pensions.

• A $150-billion investment over 10 years in alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, and biodiesel fuel.

...After Obama's speech, audience members gushed.

"That was phenomenal," enthused Marcus Brewer, 23, who drove from Palmetto for the event. He said he liked Obama's remarks about health care, jobs, education and mass transit.

Marquisha Wynn, 19, said seeing Obama live was much more impressive than the YouTube clips she has watched. Her friend Cynthia De LaGarza, 18, said Obama had inspired her interest in politics, something her Jehovah's Witness parents frown upon.

"I'm going to get in trouble for being here," she said. "But I love him."

The diversity of the crowd caught Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch's eye.

"It's black, white, old, young," he said. "There is an unprecedented amount of energy."

State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, said his support for Obama goes beyond the color of his skin.

"I'm here not because Obama is black," Rouson said. "But because he represents the greatness of this country."

Times staff writers Adam C. Smith, Demorris Lee, Thomas Lake and Justin George contributed to this report. Janet Zink can be reached at [email protected] or [phone].


more here... http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/article518636.ece

[mystieus]

1. Yep, Florida seems very upset, says Hillary.

[Divine Discontent]

13. haha... true EOM

[SoCalDem]

14. Her "Bitter Babies for Hillary" are angry..but that's about IT

and they are only angry because SHE tells them to be angry..and keep on sending money so she can keep paying Penn and of course hopefully pay herself back..

[roguevalley]

15. that social security idea sounds good. lots of hurting elderly and

disabled. :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. coming together is the key

and Obama is very good at presenting this message. I think America is tired of slash and burn politics, and wants to have people in power that will get things done for ALL the people.

[izzybeans]

3. Nah The Decemberists were in town and he's been following them around tour

piggybacking on their popularity. :)

[rucky]

5. damn you

i knew it was too easy.

[izzybeans]

10. .

:rofl:

I'm usually beat to the punch on these. :woohoo:

[rucky]

4. Only because they thought they were going to see The Decemberists.

[Coexist]

6. it really was that type of roar

I was stunned.

[PoliticalAmazon]

9. I like the comments about the diversity of the crowd....

Florida Dem politicians are going to see how Obama energizes in a positive way Democratic Party voters, and I think HIllary will find far less support for her bid to claim delegates from a nonelection.

[Coexist]

11. it was very diverse

we sold many Republicans for Obama bumper stickers! and sold out of all t-shirts, hats, water bottles and most styles of buttons. Those people were so thrilled he was finally there they really did cheer when they put the podium out. They were so energized!

[PoliticalAmazon]

12. That is so cool! I'm glad you were there so you could report about it! n/t

[FrenchieCat]

7. Thank you for this!

:hi:

I needed another "fix" for today!

[PoliticalAmazon]

8. I think Obama should pay for a Florida election. Doubt Hillary would go for it, though. n/t