Just got back from the Obama Town Hall in St. Pete

[Coexist]

I got to shake the Senator's hand. When he got near me, I just about got crushed by the swell of people moving forward. He stopped, looked me in the eye, and asked me if I was okay (whatta guy!)

The protesters were silly - it was a short nothing, really, I hope the news doesn't make a big deal about it. The rest was inspiring. He answered all the questions like people could understand big words and complex situations - so refreshing!

Obama unrolled a plan to tax the obscene windfall profits of the oil companies and send it back to American taxpayers as a rebate to offset the cost of higher energy - and to help save and create new jobs.

My favorite!






SS is NOT happy - keeping our man safe - eagle eyes on the protesters whenever they moved



Ask me anything!

[FrenchieCat]

1. Was this your first time seeing him?

and what was the energy like when he came out?

[Coexist]

4. my second time, and for such a small venue it was electric!

Obama called us a 'feisty' crowd!

[RayOfHope]

34. Wasn't it awesome?

I was at his town hall mtg. in Mo this week, and it too was a small venue. Loved being so close!

[Coexist]

35. it was so cool being so close to him

I felt like a kid at Christmas!

[Coexist]

18. - I was trying to add more as I thought about it - here's some good stuff from the event:

He was fearless in his answers, he talked about healthier diets, parental responsibilities in their children's education. He asked that parents not yell at teachers when their children misbehave at school. He makes you feel like, we all have to pitch in, work harder, and we'll all get through this thing, and be better for it at the end.

[gblady]

41. that's my thinking...

about what Barack's basic message is...
take personal responsibility for your life...
educate yourself on how to take the best care of yourself and family...
help those who are struggling to give them a leg up while they work to help themselves...
and together we can do anything.

that's why I'm so inspired by this guy.
Basic Living 101.

[speedoo]

2. Lucky you!

Florida is going blue. I really believe it.

[Coexist]

7. I'm afraid to hope.

Alex Sink introduced him - I adore her!

[ellacott]

3. It's great you go to shake his hand

One of the news blogs said he had to compose himself after he asked the men to sit. Another news blog didn't mention this. Which one is true?

[Coexist]

5. he didnt' have to compose himself.

it happened behind him, so he had to turn around to hear what the commotion was, and he handled it with ease. The rest of us were pissed at those morons. There were two middle-aged white women and three black teens. One of the women tried to stand up and get all stupid and strident and self-righteous a couple more times, and some people near her get saying, "Sit down already" and we drowned her out with "Yes We Can" again. Then one of the teens held up a smaller, second banner and a guy in front of him snatched it quick!

They were obnoxious idiots and did little to make their point.

[The Traveler]

11. They don't want to be forgotten

So many have been forgotten. So many Americans have been abandoned ... and that effect has been disproportionately hard on people of color.

Obama's handling of the matter demonstrates he gets that. He exerted leadership, steering all towards a more respectful discourse.

In January, I wrote on this site that I was pretty sure Obama was an empty suit. I did not support him. I was an Edwards supporter.

But every time I see this man in action, I am given further evidence as to just how wrong that was. He is a person of great substance, reason, and honor.

[Avalux]

6. Is his skin darker in person than it is on TV?

Sorry - I had to post that; with all the race crap flying around today. I saw him in San Antonio at a townhall meeting (although I did NOT get to shake his hand) - was impressed as well with his ability to explain complex issues easily. The media ignores this though. :hi:

[Coexist]

8. LOL!

you can actually see me in some crowd shots - just for a sec or two in the corner of the screen. It was great and he is so damn smart!

[beachmom]

9. I saw him at YearlyKos, and I would tell you this:

He has impeccable skin (perfect, no blemishes) as mocha, a rather light mocha. Sometimes lighting varies how people look so not everything is a conspiracy (although sometimes it is).

[DesertFlower]

13. one of McCain's ads

made him look darker.

[Coexist]

14. I missed that = I think McCain is more subtle than that.

[DesertFlower]

20. it was one of the recent ones.

it showed a dark skinned obama -- then went to a very white McCain.

[Hekate]

17. Time magazine cover did that with OJ Simpson after the murder--suddenly OJ was *very* black

In a flash of Photoshopping OJ went from being the "golden boy" of football to a "menacing thug" with deep shadows...

I'm quite sure the McCain campaign and its surrogates have done and will do that to Obama when it suits them.

Hekate

[ecstatic]

10. Do SS agents always hold their hands in front of their chests like

that?

[Coexist]

12. NO! That one in particular did that ONLY when the female protester

kept standing up. He was on them. Nothing was going to happen to Obama today. I tried to catch a moment when he slipped his hand WAY into his jacket - but my camera is too slow. It was comforting to know he was taking care of stuff like that, so Obama could see all of us.

I actually feel bad for them - everyone is pointing cameras directly at Obama, some with long lenses- it must be tough for them to see that constantly.

[polichick]

15. Sounds fun - did he explain the offshore drilling gimmick? (I hope!)

[Coexist]

16. no - but he did stress the importance of our country investing in

solar and wind. He came to energy independance a couple times.

[polichick]

19. I think he needs to have an energy summit to expose some of the myths.

[monmouth]

21. Thanks for all you do FLDem, you make me proud to be a Floridian...n/t

[Coexist]

24. :: blushing :: you're sweet! thanks.

[RayOfHope]

33. He stressed it when he was in MO this week. Not only that, but

hit on how corn-based ethanol wasn't really the best way to go, but favored more cellulose-based ethanol.

[polichick]

36. I'm glad! Heard about cellulose-based ethanol on NPR - good idea.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. From the other threads, it sounds like he did okay with the heckler.

[ErinBerin84]

23. what the fuck

MSNBC is now running this with the headline "Is Obama off his Game?" in response to the hecklers and answering their questions , suggesting that Obama did not handle this properly. But he sounds completely fine! How come the media always censers us from when veterans ask McCain about his veteran benefits voting record and McCain gets testy with them?

[Coexist]

26. he rocked the answer. It was a great moment for Obama, not the hecklers

and I wish they would mention those two loud white females to the right of those teens were with them and the one in the blue was rude as hell.

[tbyg52]

38. I saw that clip

at work, where I rationalized it a "news".... ;)

I thought it was a wonderful reply. I was bouncing up and down with the joy of listening to an intelligent and poised human being.

At the time I saw it, the headline was something about Obama being heckled, which was hardly the main point of the clip! The main point was the answer.

[Coexist]

39. it has been grossly overplayed by the media.

[grantcart]

25. Did you ask about the Inaugural Ball - I thought we were going together

[Coexist]

27. The Senator told me he would have to approve your gown choice, first!

[FlaDem83]

28. I was there too

and shook his hand too!!! The event was electric and he was really fabulous. Clear, concise, good at drawing you in and really explained everything very well. The actions of the protestors were unfortunate. I can't imagine, if they really want to help shine a light on their community, that this was the most productive use of their time because all their actions did was give the msm an excuse to not cover the substance and content of the town hall.

[Muttocracy]

29. welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Coexist]

30. Welcome to DU!

[FlaDem83]

32. Thanks for the welcome! Happy to be here. n/t.

[butterfly77]

31. The problem with that is..

they are not speaking for the entire black community but, the media will spin it that way like they do all issues concerning blacks.

[H2O Man]

37. Great!

Thank you so much for sharing these photos, and I am really happy that you had such a good day!

Nominated!

[Cha]

40. Thanks for the most excellent report, FLDem!

I love how we get first hand reports from DUers on the Trail!

[David Zephyr]

42. Thanks.

Very nice. K&R.

[TexasLady]

43. I can barely wait to be in your shoes, too!!

I hate to admit it, but I became a mega fan long after February of this year, so didn't come to see him when he was here in Texas in March. Now I can hardly wait!
My whole entire family wants to see him now!

Thanks for sharing the experience and the pics.