OK, so I'm convinced... (SUNRISE, FL OBAMA RALLY - LOTSA PICS)

[PermanentRevolution]

First off, I voted Obama in the primary, but that's mainly because I felt (as I still do) that Hillary would be more motivating to the GOP base than Obama. But I was never sold on him, not really. But, when the chance came today for me to attend his rally at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, I decided I owed it to myself to see him in person and make my own decision.

And now, I'm satisfied. I'm still not certain how much he can accomplish if elected, or how many of his policies he'll be able to enact, but after today I'm no longer worried that he can't win the election. He's got the chops to go for it. I'll support him without equivocation, I'll campaign, I'll donate. He convinced me today that he deserves more than just my vote.

Sooo... on to the rally!

I took about 400 pictures, so it took a while to sort through them all, crop them, and resize them. These are the best of the bunch.

Doors opened at 2:00. I got there pretty early, around noon.


The BankAtlantic Center, with its weird Lilypad-UFO-Thingies




By about 1:00, the crowd was building...


Some homemade signs...

INSIDE:

My seat wasn't really great - behind the main stage and at the top row of the lower level. But my camera's pretty good - Nikon D50 SLR w/ 28-80mm lens.



US Rep. Robert Wexler and County Commissioner Stacy Ritter introducing Obama


I really like this shot of a man a few seats away, waiting for Obama to arrive... I didn't get a chance to ask but I hope he doesn't mind me posting this...


Senator Barack Obama arrives.


The TSA security officers with their camera-phones out...


Sen. Obama, Rep. Wexler, and Commissioner Ritter














The speech...


I like this shot, too...






Working the crowd...

AND...

One last one to satisfy all the "cultist" labels.

[NightWatcher]

1. nice pics of the President you have there

[graywarrior]

2. Wow, those are amazing.

How many people do you think were there?

[PermanentRevolution]

6. Not entirely sure...

Looks like the Center has a capacity of about 20,000 and it was about 2/3 to 3/4 full. So, 13,000-15,000?

[graywarrior]

12. Thank you.

And thanks for posting.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Great Pictures and story

Thanks and nom

[populistdriven]

4. thanks for the pics!

[NotThisTime]

7. Double thanks!

[monmouth]

5. How wonderful of you and you became an Obamaite. Good for you and thanks...n/t

[K Gardner]

8. You are a VERY talented photographer, good eye ! Thank you and welcome aboard !

[PermanentRevolution]

11. Aw, shucks...

You shoot 400 pictures, you're bound to get a few good ones...

Thanks, though!

[JimGinPA]

9. Really Nice Pictures...

I know it's tough because he doesn't stand still very long.


K&R

[goclark]

10. Yes You Can Take Fantastic Photos! Yes You Can K and R

[BlooInBloo]

13. :))))

[grantcart]

14. great pictures

but then again everyone of his pictures looks iconic

[Haole Girl]

15. Those are absolutely fantastic pics!!

Thank you for sharing them! :D :loveya:

[SoonerPride]

16. Proud to K & R

nice!

[apocalypsehow]

17. K & R.

:thumbsup:

[TimesNY]

18. Wonderful pics, Americans together in hope!!!!! EOM

[enough]

19. Superb photographs. Thank you.

[housewolf]

20. You are a terrific photographer!

Thanks for sharing your pics, looks like it was an exciting rally

[Why Syzygy]

21. Did you

have to go through a metal detector?

[PermanentRevolution]

29. Yep.

Cellphone check, camera check, metal detector, the works. Made getting in a REALLLY slow process. It took probably 2 hours to get everyone inside.

[Why Syzygy]

30. Great!

Thanks for posting the pics :thumbsup:

[Muttocracy]

22. fantastic photos! wow! it's actually good you were up high.

I keep wondering if this is going to be remembered as the phone-camera election ;)

[me b zola]

23. Great pics!

Thanks so much for posting. :hi:

[Cha]

24. Welcome, PR, and thanks for the Excitement you

just generated, cyberly speaking, on this board.

Looks like a beautiful day in Sunrise, FL

[muryan]

25. Wonderful pics

But I'm confused, I see white women over 50 for Obama...I thought those didnt exist? :sarcasm:

[Adelante]

26. FABULOUS pics!

I love love love this one:

[Tatiana]

27. Those are FANTASTIC pics. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

Just what we needed!

:hi:

[barack the house]

28. That is wonderful to see disproving that he has no support in Florida very magical to see.

[PermanentRevolution]

31. Shameless self-kick for my pretty pictures...

:evilgrin:

[PermanentRevolution]

37. How dare you!

Shameless self-kicking is so wrong!

:mad:

[PermanentRevolution]

46. Yeah, you tell 'im!!!

What's next? Self-kicking it the next day?!? Shameless!

:grr:

[milkyway]

32. Great pics! You had great seats for pictures (when he turned around).

Were there any empty seats? I know it holds about 20K.

[Spazito]

33. Great pics!

Thanks for taking the time to post them, much appreciated!

Recommended.

[stillcool]

34. Great Pics!

thanks for sharing them. I needed that..turns my frown upside down! :toast:

[ruby slippers]

35. I can see why Hillary is using her "threats" now because I am

certain that she drew nowhere near this size crowd when she was in South Florida. She has to be green with envy. This is fantastic. Florida may just prove to be the swing state in the end. And, this was only the third stop for him.....Imagine by the time late summer rolls around.

Thanks for sharing. I am glad that I went to Maitland instead but I am also so glad that you got your own personal memories and photos.

BTW, the Maitland Youtube is up on this link.

PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3h__GikYOI&feature=email

PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSCWPjmrVCs&feature=email

[CaptJasHook]

36. Thanks, after today, I needed those pics.

[catgirl]

38. Kick!!

[Catherina]

39. Wonderful! Thank you for such a positive, uplifting thread n/t

[Mimosa]

40. PermanentRevolution, thanks for the great photos

I also feel heartened that Obama has such fine looking cream of the crop Secret Service protection...and plenty of them.

[quantass]

41. Great Pics -- Wish my country had a President like yours

[grace0418]

42. LOL! After the last 7+ years, I *NEVER* thought I'd hear those words from anyone.

Let's just hope it happens in November for real.

[Lady-Damai]

43. Thank you. I needed that.....

:bounce:

[Adelante]

44. Miami Herald coverage

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6106877

[panAmerican]

45. Wow, thanks! I feel like I was there.

[shoemia]

47. I TOOK PHOTOS, TOO!!!

I took photos at this event, as well. It was a great rally! The place was packed. Nearly 20,000 people showed up. My husband and I got there early so we were able to stand front row center in front the podium, and shake Barack's hand after his speech. To view the photos I took, just click link below...

http://homepage.mac.com/miaw77/PhotoAlbum54.html

[sniffa]

48. Nice photos - you did have a good seat

Thanks for posting and welcome to DU. :hi:

[PermanentRevolution]

51. Ha! There's ME!!!

[progressoid]

52. Looks like he was pointing at you in one of those shots!!

[sniffa]

49. Welcome aboard, and thanks for the pics

:hi:

[Scurrilous]

50. K & R

:thumbsup: