by Frank James
Our friend, New York Times man, Jeff Zeleny, was in the small group of journalists on pool-duty last night who were following Sen. Barack Obama around and watching, taking notes and capturing photos and video on behalf of the larger journalistic herd excluded from the events. Here's what he reported.
Pool Report - No. 4
Oct. 16, 2008
New York City
Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel were well into their act - playing the same time, the same stage - when your pool arrived at the Hammerstein Ballroom around 10:30 p.m. By this hour, the schedule had called for Senator Barack Obama to already be making his remarks, but tonight things were operating on Bruce time.
And not a soul seemed to mind - why would they? - as Billy Joel weighed in with a long reprise of "New York State of Mind."
After hearing it at countless rallies, "The Rising," was played live for Obama fans who filled all tiers of the giant ballroom on West 34th Street in Manhattan. For a moment, Springsteen jumped onto the grand piano as Billy Joel played "Allentown." And later, Billy grabbed a guitar and joined Bruce for "Glory Days."
John Legend and India Arie joined the two on stage in an upbeat rendition of "People Get Ready," the old Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions tune.
The fund-raising concert benefited the Obama Victory Fund. No total estimate was provided, but tickets ranged from a balcony seat ($500, which sold out quickly) to a lounge ticket for $25,000. The ballroom's event manager said 1,959 people were on hand.
Except for that monetary detail, it would have been easy to forget that this was an Obama event at all. Until, of course, The Boss took his microphone and, surrounded by the other singers said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you want to bring on the next president of the United States, Barack Obama!"
"The point is, all across this country," Mr. Obama said, "the people that Billy and Bruce sing about, every day they get up and they are working hard."
He spoke for 25 minutes. It was a streamlined version of his stump speech, particularly highlighting the challenges of the economy.
"This is the moment when we are being tested. This is the time when we are going to have to look back 10 years from now, 20 years from now and say, did we lose our nerve? Did we lose our sense of purpose? Or did we rise up and come together?"
Mr. Obama urged his supporters to buckle down and do more than send money.
"Don't underestimate the capacity of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory," Mr. Obama said. "Don't underestimate our ability to screw it up."
He added, "I want everybody running scared. Over the next 18 days, other than your family and your job, I want you to make a decision that there is nothing more important than bringing about this change that we need."
He closed with a classic tune of his own: "Fired up, Ready to Go!"
Yes, that's right, cue the B-Roll for Edith Childs, Greenwood, S.C.
The band returned for an encore, "Signed Sealed Delivered," which drew Michelle Obama out onto the stage to join her husband in a little dance, a little hip bumping and a lot of clapping to the beat.
Comments
This man is the real deal, and represents REAL change. And America can surely use a drastic change from what we have now. Not a subtle change - a drastic change - in policy and presence. Its time for America to heal inside and out. In the whitehouse, in the economy, in our homes and hearts, and around the world. Let's do something bold and smart! WE have to send a message to politicians that reflects the sentiments of the majority of this country.
Posted by: The Truth | October 17, 2008 9:49 AM
The Chicago Tribune erroneously printed the headline - Dewey Defeats Truman - in 1948. Obama and his supporters should remember this event. .......................
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/10/16/dewey-defeats-truman/
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | October 17, 2008 10:45 AM
With the Dems' propensity to grab defeat from the jaws of victory, could it be beginning to happen ...again? Looks like it's a habit that's hard to break!
To all you puffed-up Dems., the fat lady ain't singing yet...we haven't heard any arias!
Heck, do I see the polls tightening...yet again?
I’m not even a registered Rep. and I’m gonna be dragging every pal, relative and next door neighbor to the polls. Let’s see if your “huge organization of Obama election fraud ground-staff can come close to matching the unstoppable force when EVERY Rep. does that, which they surely would, considering the anger you Dems. and your beloved lib. media have aroused!
When push comes to shove, the sheer thought that this country could be run by an extreme leftist Prez., and both the House and Senate will send shudders down every independent spine when they're standing before the ballot box!
Consider this report:
James Pethokoukis
U.S. News and World Report
October 16, 2008
"A while back I chatted with a University of Chicago professor who was a frequent lunch companion of Obama’s. This professor said that Obama was as close to a full-out Marxist as anyone who has ever run for president of the United States."
Scary!!!
All this is coming down to is for Americans and Joe the Plumbers to decide whether to vote the “Talker” Obama or the “Doer” McCain. It’s easy to talk the talk, but can the Big O walk the walk?
Posted by: Frank L | October 18, 2008 2:43 PM
Ohg Rea Tone... that must mean "tone deaf" or something.
Ah, the article is exactly about guarding against being overconfident.
Hel-loooooo,,,,
Posted by: Roger T. | November 2, 2008 11:14 PM